The 8 most important players on offense

The Indianapolis Colts are just getting underway at the beginning of training camp this week.

Head coach Frank Reich will be tooling up his offense to utilize the talent on the side of the ball as best as he can this season over the next month. Certain players will have to earn their spot in the starting lineup and for a role in the offense.

But for others, they are counted on to perform at a high level. Here are the most important players on the offensive side of the ball for Indianapolis:

1
RB Jonathan Taylor

AP Photo/Aaron Doster

There is no secret that the Colts’ offense runs through their star running back. Jonathan Taylor’s presence on the field causes defenses to put eight men in the box and that is something that Matt Ryan can take advantage of.

In his first two seasons, he has averaged 5.3 yards per attempt, and that ability to put his team in a favorable position in second and third-down situations. He can hit a home run at any point and never wavers in the fourth quarter when Indianapolis can put away a team on the ground. Taylor is the engine of the offense and this team can go as far as he can carry them.

2
QB Matt Ryan

There is a strong argument that Matt Ryan should be the most important player on the Indianapolis offense because he plays the most important position in football. The veteran quarterback is looking to have a late-career resurgence and help put his new team back in the playoffs. As great as Jonathan Taylor is, there are games when the offense needs the passing attack to take over and that cost the team in the 2021 season. Ryan has heard a lot of praise from his teammates this summer.

Nyheim Hines said this about his new quarterback: “Matt’s gonna be a great commander and leader of this offense. We’ve worked with him for eight weeks and I’m already ready to run through a brick wall for him.”

The leadership from Matt Ryan paired along with his style of quarterback play should help put this team over the hump.

3
LG Quenton Nelson

AP Photo/Gary McCullough

Jonathan Taylor can create his own yards but it also helps when you have the best guard in the game carving out rushing lanes as well. Quenton Nelson made an immediate impact as a rookie and helped shift the culture within the organization.

Even though he might not say much when it comes to the…