Tag: dalton tucker

Versatility and accountability put Colts’ UDFA Dalton Tucker in position to make roster

Versatility and accountability have put Colts’ undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker in a position to make the final 53-man roster.

Colts’ undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has not only grabbed the attention of the coaching staff this summer, but Ryan Kelly has taken notice as well.

“Tucker did such a great job of being a great, accountable guy in the room,” said Kelly after Sunday’s practice. “He brought some character. Obviously got a little Kentucky twang to him. So he became a fan favorite pretty quickly.”

Despite joining a Colts’ offensive line room with a number of established veterans and two incoming draft picks, Tucker has put himself in a position to make the 53-man roster.

In all three preseason games, Tucker was with the second team offense. In the first two games he was at right guard and then played left guard against Cincinnati.

In those contests, Tucker would surrender only two pressures, including no sacks, over 92 pass-blocking snaps. Out of 40 eligible guards, Tucker would rank 12th this preseason in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric.

“I think what he showed in the last couple of games is how versatile he can be,” added Kelly. “I mean, Tony’s (Sparano) going to stress those guys that are bubble to backups, right? You can’t have 10 guys dressing on Sunday, so you’ve got to be able to play positions on both sides, center, tackle.”

If the Colts choose to roster nine offensive linemen, then there is likely just one spot up for grabs. Presumably this will go to either Tucker or Danny Pinter.

What Tucker has in his favor is the upside and potential that every team hopes to unlock in their rookies. For Pinter, his advantage lies in his experience, particularly at center, where the Colts could need backup help if Tanor Bortolini’s injury is going to linger into the season.

Tucker would only play guard during the preseason and didn’t take any snaps at center while in college.

It’s also possible that the Colts could go heavy along the offensive line and roster 10 players. This option seems a bit more likely with the team recently releasing Ronnie Harrison, an indication that they are going to go lighter at the safety position.

“I think he’s done a great job of just transitioning, playing hard, being accountable for his team and getting better and that’s all you can ask for,” Kelly said.

Colts’ rookie UDFA Dalton Tucker making strong roster push

Making a push for the Colts’ 53-man roster is undrafted rookie and offensive lineman Dalton Tucker, who has impressed in two preseason games.

With only one practice and one preseason game remaining, Colts’ undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has made a strong push for the 53-man roster up to this point in training camp.

Through two preseason games, Tucker has seen all of his work come as the right guard with the second offensive line unit. Against Denver and Arizona, Tucker has been on the field for 117 snaps and has been particularly excellent in pass protection, using his length and power to his advantage, allowing just one pressure in 65 pass-blocking snaps.

For what it’s worth, Tucker is listed as the team’s backup right guard on their latest unofficial depth chart.

Tucker signed with the Colts following this past April’s draft after spending his college career at Marshall. Coming out of college, Tucker was an experienced player with almost 2,300 total snaps, which include almost 600 snaps at tackle, although he will strictly be an interior player with the Colts.

In 2023, Tucker ranked 51st out of 200 eligible guards in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric and 97th in run-blocking grade.

Although Tucker joined what is a crowded Colts’ offensive line room that is returning all five starters from the 2023 season, he has carved out a role up to this point as Will Fries’ backup, and has taken every opportunity to learn from the veterans in front of him on the depth chart.

“I don’t want to disappoint anybody, play the best game possible and play up to their standards, because they’re here for a reason,” said Tucker via Colts.com. “They’ve been here for a reason. They know what they’re doing. To learn from these guys has been amazing.”

If the Colts roster nine offensive linemen, a standard number across the NFL, then there may only be one roster spot up for grabs. Primarily competing with Tucker for that spot is Danny Pinter, who has played both left guard and center with the second team offense.

While Pinter’s experience can be valuable and he is versatile, able to play all three interior positions, with Tanor Bortolini emerging as the team’s backup center behind Ryan Kelly, Tucker’s upside and potential as an incoming rookie who has impressed may be what sets him apart in this competition.

Colts rookie minicamp preview: UDFA OL Dalton Tucker

With Colts rookie minicamp taking place May 10-11, here is a preview of undrafted rookie offensive lineman Dalton Tucker from Marshall.

Rookie minicamp for the Indianapolis Colts will take place on May 10-11. This is the rookies’ first opportunity to be in the building, where they will meet the coaching staff and begin learning the offensive and defensive schemes in the classroom, before applying it on the practice field.

Along with adding nine players through the draft, the Colts also signed seven undrafted rookies. Also joining the Colts’ draft picks and undrafted signees will be tryout players, who the coaching staff will be taking a look at as well to see if an addition or two should be made to the current 90-man roster.

I will be previewing each of those undrafted players, with Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker up next.

Height: 6-6
Weight: 307
RAS: 7.96

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College profile

Breakdown: Tucker was one of the 30 prospects who the Colts’ had in for an official pre-draft visit. During his six-year career at Marshall, Tucker played nearly 2,300 snaps, with most of those coming at right guard. He did, however, also play almost 600 snaps between the two tackle spots, but with the Colts, he is listed as a guard. In the last two years, Tucker has given up three sacks and 19 pressures. This past season, he ranked 51st out of 200 guards in PFF’s pass-blocking efficiency metric and 97th in run-blocking grade. Tucker is a developmental prospect for the Colts, and with the depth they’ve built up along the interior, which includes drafting Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves, the practice squad will be the more likely landing spot for him.

“I’m definitely a player that always wants to get better,” said Tucker via The Draft Network. “I’m striving to improve every single day. I can’t wait to learn from the veterans in our room. That’s how I’m going to better myself for our offensive line. I’m going to do everything I can to help the team get better.”

What Lance Zierlein of NFL.com had to say: “Under-the-radar prospect with a prototypical NFL body type. Tucker can operate in zone, power and gap schemes. He’s quick and athletic as a pulling guard with a desire to crunch targets on the move. He doesn’t play snatch-and-run football as a drive blocker, so his sustain is average. He has the foot quickness to mirror rushers, but his tendency to lunge and play with his weight forward can cause issues in protection and off the snap as a run blocker against slanting fronts. Tucker’s traits and playing demeanor should make him an NFL backup with upside.”

For more Colts’ rookie minicamp previews, follow the links below:

Laiatu Latu
Adonai Mitchell
Matt Goncalves
Tanor Bortolini
Anthony Gould
Jaylon Carlies
Jaylin Simpson
Micah Abraham
Jonah Laulu
Kedon Slovis
Jason Bean
Trent Pennix
Spencer Shrader
Craig Young
Xavier White

Colts host Marshall OL Dalton Tucker on top 30 pre-draft visit

The Colts have reportedly hosted Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker on an official pre-draft visit. Here is what you need to know.

The Colts have hosted Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker on an official pre-draft visit, according to Justin Melo of The Draft Network.

Melo also notes that, in addition to the top-30 visit, the Colts met virtually with Tucker as well.

Tucker measures in at 6-6 and weighs 207 pounds. He recorded a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) of 7.94, which includes a 5.19-second 40-yard dash, along with elite vertical and broad jump numbers.

Tucker says that interest from teams has increased since his Pro Day when he posted those numbers.

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Tucker has played almost 2,300 snaps during his six-year collegiate career at Marshall. The majority of those snaps have come at right guard, but he’s also played 388 snaps at right tackle and 220 at left tackle.

Over the last two seasons, Tucker surrendered three sacks and 19 pressures. In 2023 specifically, Tucker ranked 51st out of 200 eligible guards in pass-blocking efficiency. By PFF’s run-blocking grade, he ranked 97th.

“I’m definitely a player that always wants to get better,” said Tucker via The Draft Network. “I’m striving to improve every single day. I can’t wait to learn from the veterans in our room. That’s how I’m going to better myself for our offensive line. I’m going to do everything I can to help the team get better.”

Tucker will be best suited as an interior lineman at the NFL level and will likely be either a late Day 3 pick or signed as an undrafted rookie and will join a team as a developmental player.

The Colts’ offensive line is positioned well for the 2024 season. They return their five starters from 2023, where they ranked ninth in pressure rate and 10th in yards per carry.

Looking ahead to the 2025 offseason, however, both center Ryan Kelly and guard Will Fries are set to become free agents. Adding to the interior offensive line is a move we could see from GM Chris Ballard, and not just through undrafted free agency.

Report: Colts hosting Marshall OL Dalton Tucker for top-30 visit

The Colts are bringing in a Marshall OL for a draft visit.

The Indianapolis Colts reportedly are hosting Marshall offensive lineman Dalton Tucker for a top-30 visit ahead of the 2024 NFL draft.

Tucker brings a massive frame to the NFL at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds. He spent the majority of his collegiate career working on the right side of the offensive line with experience at both guard and tackle.

According to Pro Football Focus, the majority of Tucker’s snaps in 2023 came at right guard. He allowed 13 total pressures, including one sack, during the 2023 campaign.

The Colts have their starting tackles set for the 2024 season with Bernhard Raimann entering Year 3 at left tackle and Braden Smith holding down the fort at right tackle. They need some competition for Blake Freeland in the swing position.

The Colts also could be looking for some depth for the interior spots, but they did bring back Danny Pinter, who has experience working at center and both guard spots.

Tucker seems like a late Day 3 pick or a priority free agent target for the Colts in the draft, but they are getting a closer look at him regardless.

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