Ryan Kelly

[Speedy Thomas]

From fantasy gurus Football Guys, perennial all-pro center Ryan Kelly will be testing the free agent waters.

Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent C Ryan Kelly said he would like to re-sign with the Colts this offseason but expects to talk with other teams during free agency.

Our view: Quenton Nelson is the better known name, but Kelly has been a cornerstone of an above average line in his nine years with the Colts. He expressed disappointment when the team didn't offer him an extension last offseason, and then they drafted Tanner Bortolini, a center from Wisconsin, in the fourth round of last year's draft. Kelly could be a big veteran addition for an offensive line, but he'll need to be able to play more than the 10 games he did last year because of missed time with a knee injury.

Both Kelly and his wife are Lakota West grads, which of course makes him a Bengals target, provided his knee checks out and he's willing to take the West Chester discount. As we all know, Karras played a lot of guard at New England.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(02-03-2025, 11:34 AM)Speedy Thomas Wrote: From fantasy gurus Football Guys, perennial all-pro center Ryan Kelly will be testing the free agent waters.

Indianapolis Colts impending free-agent C Ryan Kelly said he would like to re-sign with the Colts this offseason but expects to talk with other teams during free agency.

Our view: Quenton Nelson is the better known name, but Kelly has been a cornerstone of an above average line in his nine years with the Colts. He expressed disappointment when the team didn't offer him an extension last offseason, and then they drafted Tanner Bortolini, a center from Wisconsin, in the fourth round of last year's draft. Kelly could be a big veteran addition for an offensive line, but he'll need to be able to play more than the 10 games he did last year because of missed time with a knee injury.

Both Kelly and his wife are Lakota West grads, which of course makes him a Bengals target, provided his knee checks out and he's willing to take the West Chester discount.  As we all know, Karras played a lot of guard at New England.

Karras is still under contract, has done well and is durable and the same offensive staff is in place: 99.9% he's staying at C.

[*ochocincos*]

(02-03-2025, 11:57 AM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Karras is still under contract, has done well and is durable and the same offensive staff is in place: 99.9% he's staying at C.

Yea I can't see adding a nearly 32 year old Center when there's already a nearly 32 year old Center on the team and under contract.
The only thing I could possibly see is Karras being moved to OG so Kelly could play C or put Kelly at OG, but I doubt the latter would happen given Kelly has never played a single snap at OG in the NFL.

As much as I would support my fellow Lakota West alumni, I'd probably look at actual Guards to add in FA before looking at Kelly.

[Truck_1_0_1_]

(02-03-2025, 12:04 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Yea I can't see adding a nearly 32 year old Center when there's already a nearly 32 year old Center on the team and under contract.
The only thing I could possibly see is Karras being moved to OG so Kelly could play C or put Kelly at OG, but I doubt the latter would happen given Kelly has never played a single snap at OG in the NFL.

As much as I would support my fellow Lakota West alumni, I'd probably look at actual Guards to add in FA before looking at Kelly.

Absolutely.

I think Speedy was alluding to Karras moving to G, but again, I can't see it happening (hence my comment that he's staying at C): I think the team would just as much play Matt Lee over an aging, yet proven veteran.

(and I think you knew what I was alluding to as well, just wanted to clarify :))

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

Have to agree with Truck and Ochocincos. Would rather add clear Guards in FA rather than Kelly and moving Karras to LG.

[Speedy Thomas]

(02-03-2025, 02:17 PM)Truck_1_0_1_ Wrote: Absolutely.

I think Speedy was alluding to Karras moving to G, but again, I can't see it happening (hence my comment that he's staying at C): I think the team would just as much play Matt Lee over an aging, yet proven veteran.

(and I think you knew what I was alluding to as well, just wanted to clarify :))

Yeah, for sure.  He played both center and guard for NE, but the year before he came here Karras was their starting left guard from week 7 on.  He's done well for us at center but I wouldn't rule out a move back to guard if that's the way it shakes out.  His attitude seems to be team first so I doubt he would object.  Lord, anything to strengthen the interior.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-03-2025, 04:19 PM)Speedy Thomas Wrote: Yeah, for sure.  He played both center and guard for NE, but the year before he came here Karras was their starting left guard from week 7 on.  He's done well for us at center but I wouldn't rule out a move back to guard if that's the way it shakes out.  His attitude seems to be team first so I doubt he would object.  Lord, anything to strengthen the interior.

I mean, it would strengthen the interior so I would be fine with it. Still would have to add another Guard in FA though IMO.

[pulses]

(02-03-2025, 05:43 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: I mean, it would strengthen the interior so I would be fine with it. Still would have to add another Guard in FA though IMO.

I think a sneaky signing of Jordan Meredith OG from the Raiders would be nice..... had a PFF of 80.8 this past year and gave up no sacks at LG on 574 snaps.  75.7 in pass blocking and 78.4 in run blocking.

[J24]

(02-03-2025, 10:41 PM)pulses Wrote: I think a sneaky signing of Jordan Meredith OG from the Raiders would be nice..... had a PFF of 80.8 this past year and gave up no sacks at LG on 574 snaps.  75.7 in pass blocking and 78.4 in run blocking.

He's an ERFA so basically unavailable!

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-03-2025, 10:41 PM)pulses Wrote: I think a sneaky signing of Jordan Meredith OG from the Raiders would be nice..... had a PFF of 80.8 this past year and gave up no sacks at LG on 574 snaps.  75.7 in pass blocking and 78.4 in run blocking.

Sounded good, but I guess not possible...

(02-03-2025, 10:52 PM)J24 Wrote: He's an ERFA so basically unavailable!

Dang.

[Speedy Thomas]

Back to Kelly: PFF has him rated as the overall #81 free agent. See below for their assessment. The ability to work with a top 3 QB plus living and playing in his home town make him an intriguing possibility. Of course money will talk and I couldn't access his predicted salary. But this is something to keep an eye on. Kelly at center, Karras LG, and a competent proven upgrade at RG (Zeitler?) sounds pretty good to me.

81. C RYAN KELLY, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Kelly is potentially mulling retirement after a decorated career with the Colts, but if he returns in 2025, he offers a savvy, veteran center that could potentially help bring along a young quarterback. On the flip side, after the annual turnover at the quarterback position Kelly dealt with throughout his entire tenure in Indianapolis, perhaps he’d like the idea of pairing up with a veteran quarterback that he can work in tandem with to set protections and lead an offensive line unit. Injuries have hampered Kelly over the last two seasons, and he underwent knee surgery halfway through the 2024 campaign, which is certainly worth monitoring for prospective teams looking to bring him aboard. 

I'm not a PFF subscriber so I couldn't unlock his predicted salary.

[BFritz21]

Didn't realize that they went to Lakota West but they might have seen my presentation because I used to present there a few times a year.

[SunsetBengal]

(02-04-2025, 04:27 PM)Speedy Thomas Wrote: Back to Kelly:  PFF has him rated as the overall #81 free agent.  See below for their assessment.  The ability to work with a top 3 QB plus living and playing in his home town make him an intriguing possibility.  Of course money will talk and I couldn't access his predicted salary.  But this is something to keep an eye on.  Kelly at center, Karras LG, and a competent proven upgrade at RG (Zeitler?) sounds pretty good to me.

81. C RYAN KELLY, INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Kelly is potentially mulling retirement after a decorated career with the Colts, but if he returns in 2025, he offers a savvy, veteran center that could potentially help bring along a young quarterback. On the flip side, after the annual turnover at the quarterback position Kelly dealt with throughout his entire tenure in Indianapolis, perhaps he’d like the idea of pairing up with a veteran quarterback that he can work in tandem with to set protections and lead an offensive line unit. Injuries have hampered Kelly over the last two seasons, and he underwent knee surgery halfway through the 2024 campaign, which is certainly worth monitoring for prospective teams looking to bring him aboard. 

I'm not a PFF subscriber so I couldn't unlock his predicted salary.

Spotrac has his market value listed at $10.1M, that's a little steep for an aged Center.

[Bengalbug]

(02-03-2025, 12:04 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Yea I can't see adding a nearly 32 year old Center when there's already a nearly 32 year old Center on the team and under contract.
The only thing I could possibly see is Karras being moved to OG so Kelly could play C or put Kelly at OG, but I doubt the latter would happen given Kelly has never played a single snap at OG in the NFL.

As much as I would support my fellow Lakota West alumni, I'd probably look at actual Guards to add in FA before looking at Kelly.

When did you graduate from LW?

[*ochocincos*]

(02-05-2025, 01:11 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: When did you graduate from LW?

Early 2000's

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-04-2025, 09:17 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Spotrac has his market value listed at $10.1M, that's a little steep for an aged Center.

Agree, would rather go Trey Smith, Tevin Jenkins, James Daniels or Will Fries in FA. True Guards and keep Ted at Center.

[Bengalbug]

(02-05-2025, 12:27 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Early 2000's

Same