Stampede Blue
Here are five standouts who realistically could make the Pro Bowl for the Indianapolis Colts this year!
The Indianapolis Colts (6-7) haven’t had quite the season that many of the Horseshoe Faithful were ideally hoping for, but they still remain in realistic playoff contention—albeit now on the outside, looking in as they contend for a final AFC postseason spot.
Here are five candidates who could make a Pro Bowl for the Colts this season:
Since arriving to Indianapolis via trade from San Francisco in 2020, the veteran defensive tackle has consistently been one of the Colts most valuable players during that same span.
Buckner missed five games because of a high ankle sprain, but he’s returned to being the Colts best defensive player once again. During 8 games (7 starts), Buckner has 44 tackles (19 solo), 6 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 11 QB hits.
Per PFF, his 82.6 overall grade is the 6th best among all interior defenders—which includes a +83.6 pass rushing grade (which is also 6th highest among players at his position).
The AFC is a bit crowded at defensive tackle though with the Kansas City Chiefs Chris Jones, the Pittsburgh Steelers Cam Heyward, and the New York Jets Quinnen Williams among other standouts within the conference.
Having re-signed with Indianapolis this past offseason, the veteran cornerback remains one of the best slot coverage guys in the game. The former 2021 NFL Pro Bowler is putting up numbers that are worthy of such high recognition yet again.
Per PFF, Moore has a +80.3 overall grade, which is the 5th best among all players at his position, and is highlighted by a +79.4 coverage grade.
Slot corners tend to be docked a bit in all-star votes compared to their outside colleagues, but Moore is deserving of making his 2nd career Pro Bowl appearance after his strong performance.
His AFC cornerback competition figures to include the Denver Broncos Patrick Surtain II, the Los Angeles Chargers Tarheeb Still, the Baltimore Ravens Marlon Humphrey, and the Miami Dolphins Jalen Ramsey among others.
The 6x NFL Pro Bowler hasn’t missed a Pro Bowl yet in his Canton-bound pro career, and Big Q is well deserving of such honors yet again—as the Colts catalyst along their offensive line.
While other starters have been in-and-out of the lineup all season, Nelson has been the one constant helping to anchor the left side—making all 13 starts.
Nelson’s +80.7 overall grade is 11th best at his position, and his pass blocking grade of +79.7 and run blocking grade of +83.0 which are 7th best at his position respectively.
His top competition includes the Kansas City Chiefs Joe Thuney and the Denver Broncos Quinn Meinerz among others.
While he’s missed some time because of injuries, the 3rd-year offensive tackle has made 10 starts as the blindside anchor for the Colts offensive line.
Since becoming a 2022 3rd round pick...
