Indianapolis Colts' Ryan Kelly earns elite praise from PFF

Indianapolis Colts center Ryan Kelly enjoyed a strong bounce-back campaign in 2023, and Pro Football Focus was among those who took notice.

In their ranking of the top 32 centers in the NFL, Pro Football Focus wasn't shy about showing Kelly some love.

The 30-year-old center was ranked as the fourth-best center in the NFL entering 2024, right behind an elite tier of Creed Humphrey, Frank Ragnow and Tyler Linderbaum.

Kelly earned the fourth Pro Bowl nod of his career in 2023 and posted a career-high 77.2 grade in the process. On top of that, he allowed just seven pressures in the regular season, the fewest among starting centers. His 78.3 pass-blocking grade was his best mark since his rookie season.

After a two-year stretch during the 2021-2022 seasons in which it appeared Kelly was on the decline, the former first-round pick returned to form in a big way during the 2023 season.

A combination of health along with the additions of head coach Shane Steichen and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. helped Kelly return to his Pro Bowl form.

Entering a contract year, Kelly will be out to prove he's still worthy of being viewed as one of the top centers in the NFL, which should result in another strong season from the anchor of the Colts offensive line.

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