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An early pattern is emerging with the Indianapolis Colts' official pre-draft visits that may hint at where GM Chris Ballard's priorities are at heading into the 2025 NFL draft.
Each draft cycle, every team is able to have up to 30 prospects in for visits at the team facility. It's an opportunity for teams to do medical checks if needed, walk through film, and get to know the player.
So far, eight of these visits for the Colts have been reported, and five of the prospects play along either offensive or defensive lines. With there still being 22 visits available to the Colts, undoubtedly a greater variety of position groups will be brought in, but with the draft a few weeks away, this is noteworthy at this stage of the process, considering that we know Ballard believes in building through the trenches and that both position groups are needs.
When it comes to the offensive line, perhaps the Colts already have their starting five on the roster if Matt Goncalves is going to make the move from tackle to guard. Last April, Ballard did mention that he believes Goncalves has the ability to play inside as well as at tackle.
However, while the skill set may be there to play inside, Goncalves played tackle throughout college and during his first NFL season. Assuming this position change will be seamless comes with obvious risks. The prudent move would be bringing in competition for him because when it comes to success on offense for the Colts, regardless of who the quarterback is, it all starts up front with the play of the offensive line.
Make no mistake about it, the Colts have to get the offensive line right if they are going to find consistency on offense.
In addition to that, depth along the interior and at tackle, specifically, creating competition for the swing tackle role off the bench if Goncalves is going to move to guard, needs to be on Ballard's radar as well.
“We’re working through that right now, (general manager Chris Ballard) and his staff, just looking at what’s out there, obviously, through free agency, possibly the draft,” Shane Steichen said via the Indy Star. “But obviously, offensive line’s a big part of it. You’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback. You’ve got to be able to run the ball really well.”
When it comes to the defensive line, obviously, there is a strong foundation here, both at defensive end and defensive tackle. But that doesn't mean a need doesn't exist either.
Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the depth at defensive end could be reinforced--not to mention that the draft is about planning ahead, and if we look ahead to 2026, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Samson Ebukam are all free agents.
Replacing Odeyingbo's snaps and production--he led the team in pressures last season--will be a group effort, but a big jump in Year 2 from Laiatu Latu will go a long way in accomplishing that. Having Ebukam back in the mix will also be beneficial, but as Ballard acknowledged, there are unknowns when a player is coming off an Achilles injury.
Along the interior, improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart is needed this season. In 2024, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis--both of whom remain unsigned--ranked near the bottom of their position group in PFF's pass rush win rate and run stop rate. At a position that is heavily rotated, depth is a must, or the interior will be exploited, which we saw last season when Buckner and Stewart weren't on the field.
With that said, hopefully, Neville Gallimore can provide that boost and Adetomiwa Adebawore takes a step forward in Year 3, but those aren't givens either.
"I feel good about the edges," Steichen said at the NFL's annual league meeting. "Obviously getting inside with Buck and Grove, and then adding some pieces in free agency. But I think just depth, more than anything. You gotta have depth there at the defensive line, rotate those guys in and out and keep them fresh."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL draft: Pattern emerging, hints at positions Colts may prioritize
Continue reading...
Each draft cycle, every team is able to have up to 30 prospects in for visits at the team facility. It's an opportunity for teams to do medical checks if needed, walk through film, and get to know the player.
So far, eight of these visits for the Colts have been reported, and five of the prospects play along either offensive or defensive lines. With there still being 22 visits available to the Colts, undoubtedly a greater variety of position groups will be brought in, but with the draft a few weeks away, this is noteworthy at this stage of the process, considering that we know Ballard believes in building through the trenches and that both position groups are needs.
When it comes to the offensive line, perhaps the Colts already have their starting five on the roster if Matt Goncalves is going to make the move from tackle to guard. Last April, Ballard did mention that he believes Goncalves has the ability to play inside as well as at tackle.
However, while the skill set may be there to play inside, Goncalves played tackle throughout college and during his first NFL season. Assuming this position change will be seamless comes with obvious risks. The prudent move would be bringing in competition for him because when it comes to success on offense for the Colts, regardless of who the quarterback is, it all starts up front with the play of the offensive line.
Make no mistake about it, the Colts have to get the offensive line right if they are going to find consistency on offense.
In addition to that, depth along the interior and at tackle, specifically, creating competition for the swing tackle role off the bench if Goncalves is going to move to guard, needs to be on Ballard's radar as well.
“We’re working through that right now, (general manager Chris Ballard) and his staff, just looking at what’s out there, obviously, through free agency, possibly the draft,” Shane Steichen said via the Indy Star. “But obviously, offensive line’s a big part of it. You’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback. You’ve got to be able to run the ball really well.”
When it comes to the defensive line, obviously, there is a strong foundation here, both at defensive end and defensive tackle. But that doesn't mean a need doesn't exist either.
Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the depth at defensive end could be reinforced--not to mention that the draft is about planning ahead, and if we look ahead to 2026, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Samson Ebukam are all free agents.
Replacing Odeyingbo's snaps and production--he led the team in pressures last season--will be a group effort, but a big jump in Year 2 from Laiatu Latu will go a long way in accomplishing that. Having Ebukam back in the mix will also be beneficial, but as Ballard acknowledged, there are unknowns when a player is coming off an Achilles injury.
Along the interior, improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart is needed this season. In 2024, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis--both of whom remain unsigned--ranked near the bottom of their position group in PFF's pass rush win rate and run stop rate. At a position that is heavily rotated, depth is a must, or the interior will be exploited, which we saw last season when Buckner and Stewart weren't on the field.
With that said, hopefully, Neville Gallimore can provide that boost and Adetomiwa Adebawore takes a step forward in Year 3, but those aren't givens either.
"I feel good about the edges," Steichen said at the NFL's annual league meeting. "Obviously getting inside with Buck and Grove, and then adding some pieces in free agency. But I think just depth, more than anything. You gotta have depth there at the defensive line, rotate those guys in and out and keep them fresh."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL draft: Pattern emerging, hints at positions Colts may prioritize
Continue reading...
