Nelson was the only Colts offensive lineman to start all 16 games and play all 1,136 offensive snaps in 2018. While there are very few official stats for offensive linemen, we can let analytics and other national experts do some more explaining.

"Running backs gained 2.5 yards more per rush in the areas Nelson was closest to in 2018 than average," according to NFL Network Analytics Expert Cynthia Frelund. "Which means the Colts rookie's mark is +2.5 yards, the best for any left guard last season."

According to Pro Football Focus, Nelson graded out as their fourth-best run-blocking guard in the NFL.

The Colts' run game was much more consistent and productive in 2018 than we're used to seeing since the mid-2000s. Although they finished 20th in the league (107.4 YPG), they had nine games with more than 100 yards rushing, including the playoffs, as well as three games over 200.

They posted back-to-back 200-yard rushing performances (Weeks 7-8) for the first time since 1985, and their 200 yards against the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round (the first 100-yard game Houston allowed all year) is now the franchise postseason record.

"This year it's all about being consistent with the run game, calling the plays, and then us executing," Nelson recently told reporters in response to head coach Frank Reich wanting the Colts to be a top-five rushing team in 2019. "So I think bringing everybody back on the offensive line this year, having a year of experience together and a year of Coach Frank and Coach (Nick) Sirianni's offense, that we're definitely going to be capable of doing that."

On 730 pass-blocking snaps, Nelson allowed just two sacks, four quarterback hits and 17 hurries, which graded him out as the top rookie offensive lineman, second-best left guard and the sixth-best overall guard in the league (74.3), according to PFF.

Among guards who played at least 50 percent of their team's snaps, Nelson was one of only 25 players who allowed two or fewer sacks, and only one of 24 who allowed 23 or fewer total pressures.

"As for passing downs, Nelson was second best among left guards at limiting defenders from coming within five feet of his quarterback (achieved on 22.2% of passing downs)," Frelund continued. "Nelson got better as the season went on and will be a big factor in my Andrew Luck stat projections for next season."

Although an offensive lineman's physical edge really shines in the run game, the Colts were even better in pass protection. ESPN even considers them the best pass-blocking line in the league.

After allowing the most sacks in the league in 2017 (56), the Colts were dynamite when it came to protecting Andrew Luck in 2018. They gave up the fewest sacks in the league (18), and had the lowest sack rate (2.7 percent).

The Colts' line went from Weeks 5-12 — 239 consecutive passes attempts and five straight games — without allowing a sack, both of which rank third in NFL history.

As a player, the future looks incredibly bright for Nelson and the rest of the line.

He appears to just be getting started and craves getting better. Although he accomplished about all you can as an individual lineman in 2018, he knows there is definite room for improvement.

"We'll be watching film of last year, and on a bad play, I'll know exactly how I got beat or exactly what I did wrong before the play's even recorded," Nelson said. "But it's definitely good not to just put an emphasis on the bad. I mean, you've gotta focus on the good and the bad, and it's awesome to just know that you can get better and there's so much room for improvement this year. And I feel like with the coaches we have and, again, being with the same group for another year, (it's) definitely possible to do that."

This offseason, the Colts hired Chris Strausser as the new offensive line coach as well as Howard Mudd as senior offensive assistant. Both are considered specialists in teaching the fundamentals and mechanics of offensive line play, which Nelson felt he needed to improve upon even as a dominant rookie.