Colts 2015 Player Preview: Left Tackle Anthony Castonzo

When evaluating a whole unit, we must be careful not to make assumptions about individual players that make up that unit.  This is highlighted as clearly as ever when it comes to the Colts' offensive line, as they have struggled mightily over the past several years.  Assuming that, because of that, left tackle Anthony Castonzo isn't a good player, however, would be very wrong.

In reality, Castonzo has been the best and most consistent offensive lineman the Colts have had over the past few years, and he took his game to another level in 2014.  Drafted by the Colts in the first round of the 2011 NFL Draft, Castonzo was supposed to be protecting Peyton Manning's blindside for the remainder of the all-time great's career, but he ended up never playing a single snap with Manning.  Instead, the quarterback missed the entire 2011 season with a neck injury, after which the Colts moved on and drafted Andrew Luck.  Castonzo's new job was to protect Andrew Luck's blindside, and he has done well in doing so.  Including playoffs, Castonzo has started 62 games in a row (a streak that is still active) and 66 games total, while in 2014, no offensive lineman played more snaps than Castonzo did.  He has been incredibly consistent on an otherwise incredibly inconsistent offensive line, and while his play in previous years has been good, he was even better in 2014.  He held his own in the run game but excelled in pass protection, allowing just two sacks and nine hits in 726 snaps (according to Pro Football Focus).

Castonzo is entering a contract year, but he is a priority for the Colts to re-sign.  He doesn't miss games, is consistent, and playing at a high level.  The hope is that he will be the long-term left tackle for Andrew Luck, and that wouldn't be a bad thing.  Unlike many of the other spots along the offensive line, where we don't know who will be starting or at the very least have questions about the starter, the left tackle spot is not one of them.  With Anthony Castonzo at the spot, there isn't much to worry about at left tackle for the Colts.