Two Colts Veterans Getting Better With Age

The Indianapolis Colts have attempted to inject youth into their roster while complementing it with reliable veteran productivity. It's a delicate balance of ensuring the roster has enough athleticism and explosion, but the on-field responsibility to stay the course and smooth out wide variance.

Two veterans on the offensive side of the ball have been singled out for being that steady presence.

Pro Football Focus recently compiled data to come up with players who have improved their overall grades for at least the last three years, and making their list were Colts left guard Quenton Nelson, 30, and tight end Mo Alie-Cox, 32.

Nelson joined Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, Kansas City Chiefs running back Kenneth Walker III, and Denver Broncos offensive linemen Quinn Meinerz and Garett Bolles in the "Star Players" category.

READ MORE: Colts' Shane Steichen Listed On Hot Seat: Playoffs or Bust?

"Each of these players, with the possible exception of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, has been considered among the very best at their positions for several years," PFF's Daire Carragher wrote.

"The offensive linemen listed here are viewed as three of the best trench players in the league. Veterans Nelson and Bolles each posted career-best grades earlier in their careers (they were elite in 2019 and 2020, respectively). Both have since overcome brief lulls to reassert themselves among the best in the sport with three straight years of improvement."

After an elite beginning to his career, Nelson saw a bit of a dip in grading as he dealt with injuries, but he maintained a high level of play throughout. As a result, he's made the Pro Bowl in each of his eight seasons, is a six-time All-Pro (three First-Team), and just made his fourth appearance on the NFL Top 100 Players list.

Alie-Cox joined PFF's list under the "Rejuvenated Veterans" category, alongside San Francisco 49ers center Jake Brendel, Carolina Panthers right tackle Taylor Moton, and New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry.

READ MORE: Colts' Jonathan Taylor Has Been One of NFL's Most Explosive Players

"Our final category consists exclusively of players over 30 who have found sustained success later in their careers while many of their peers have begun to decline," Carragher wrote.

"Alie-Cox has always provided more value as a blocker, a role that often ages well (see Marcedes Lewis, for example). He ranked among the four lowest-graded tight ends in football four years ago, but steady improvement has allowed him to maintain a meaningful role in Indianapolis' offense."

Alie-Cox is one of those veterans who the Colts just refuse to part with. He's never been a star, but he does the dirty work for them so well, that he's become essential.

The project to make him the Colts' next big tight end after the retirement of Jack Doyle didn't pan out as expected, but Alie-Cox has been among the league's elite blocking tight ends for quite some time now.

In 2025, his pass-blocking grade of 81.3 was tied for second, behind only fellow Colts tight end Drew Ogletree. In 2024, Alie-Cox was top-20 among tight ends in both run and pass blocking. In his career-best season of 2020, Alie-Cox ranked third in pass blocking (81.8) and 10th overall (78.2) among tight ends.