The biggest strength for the Indianapolis Colts is their offensive line and while no one is denying that, the unit still has some players flying under the radar. Enter right tackle Braden Smith.
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Much of the hype and praise for the Colts offensive line goes to left guard Quenton Nelson and left tackle Anthony Castonzo—and rightfully so. But Smith has emerged as one of the top young right tackles in the NFL. Entering Year 3 as a starter, the Auburn product is a breakout candidate for 2020.
Bleacher Report’s Gary Davenport named the former second-round pick as the team’s best kept secret entering the upcoming season.
It’s not at all unusual for a player who lined up at tackle in college to kick inside in the pros as the result of a lack of length or quickness. However, it’s not that often someone does the opposite like Braden Smith of the Indianapolis Colts.
A right guard at Auburn, Smith was pressed into action at tackle by injuries at the position during the 2018 season. He more than held his own in his first game against the New England Patriots—and he’s been a fixture there ever since.
Per Andrew Walker of the team’s website, head coach Frank Reich compared Smith to super-guard Quenton Nelson:
“Rightly so Quenton has gotten a lot of attention—[but] Braden has played lights out. When we moved him we knew we had a great run blocker. I mean, you just watch his college tape, you knew he was a great run blocker. When he got here you knew the pass blocking needed some work, but he worked hard at that. So that was going to be the big question moving him out to right tackle, ‘How would he handle it?’ He’s just continued to get better and better.”
Smith may start to approach Nelson’s renown this year.
Smith entered the league as a strong run blocker who moved well in space. Those two traits are almost pre-requisites in prospects the Colts consider on the offensive line. He is still improving his consistency with his pass sets, but he has been a wonderful addition to the edge on the right side.
The occasional Colts fan believes Smith still needs to be moved inside to right guard (he doesn’t). Having his youth, talent and mobility skills aren’t easy to come by and while he was drafted as an interior player, the tackle position is simply too important.
The 2020 season will be a big one for Smith as he has the chance to truly take the next step forward in gaining some recognition for his strong play.
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