Tag: Matt Goncalves

The Colts traded up three spots in the third round to select Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves.

Goncalves has experience playing both tackle spots, and in some draft reports it is mentioned that he could move to guard if needed. His 2023 season was cut short due to a toe injury, but in 2022, he allowed no sacks and 17 pressures. He would rank 55th in PFF’s run-blocking grade.

The addition of Goncalves is perhaps one that Chris Ballard couldn’t pass up. We’ve seen in the past that this is a position group he is willing to invest in and the depth of this draft class likely led to a few tackles being at the top of the Colts’ draft board at various points.

In the short-term, the Colts need depth at tackle with only four on the roster entering the draft. In the long-run, Braden Smith is in the final year of his deal in 2025 and comes with a $19-plus million cap hit. Naturally, as a young player, Blake Freeland still has some question marks.

Here is a look at some of Goncalves top highlights:

Here are my instant takeaways following the Colts jumping up a few spots in the third-round of the NFL Draft to select Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves.

– In terms of Relative Athletic Score (RAS), Goncalves is a bit of an outlier compared to what we’ve seen from Ballard over the last two drafts. Goncalves’ RAS was 7.69. Only three selections in the last two years had a RAS below 9.0, and the lowest was 8.48.

– Goncalves missed the final nine games of the 2023 season with a big toe injury. In 2022, he allowed no sacks and 17 pressures. He ranked 55th out of 200 eligible tackles in PFF’s run-blocking grade and 56th in pass-blocking efficiency.

– Goncalves has experience playing both tackle spots. In Lance Zierlein’s pre-draft scouting report, he mentions that Goncalves could move inside if needed, but I would imagine the Colts will give him every opportunity to stick at tackle.

– The Colts are returning their starting five from a unit that was good in both pass protection and the run game last season. However, if we look ahead to 2025, Braden Smith will be in the final year of his current deal and comes with a hefty cap hit of almost $20 million and Blake Freeland took his lumps as a rookie.

– If the Colts do think Goncalves could be an option at guard, Will Fries is set to be a free agent in 2025.

– During his pre-draft press conference, Chris Ballard spoke very highly about the depth of the offensive tackle draft class, mentioning that very good players could be found in the middle and even late portions of the draft.

– At a minimum, depth had to be added to this position group. Before the draft, only four offensive tackles were on the roster–that just isn’t enough to get through training camp and the preseason.

– As it should be, it is one of the most important positions in football; offensive tackle continues to be a position that Ballard invests in. In recent drafts, he selected Freeland, Bernhard Raimann, and Jake Witt.

– Using the Rich Hill trade value chart, the Colts overpaid slightly to move up. The Colts got pick 79 (57) from Arizona, and sent the Cardinals picks 82 (54) and 191 (6). When the Colts moved down in the second-round with Carolina, they netted six points.

In the third-round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Colts selected Pitt offensive tackle Matt Goncalves, after trading up with the Cardinals, moving from pick 82 to 79, inexchange for pick 191 in the sixth-round.

Here is a quick breakdown of the pick with what you need to know.

Height: 6-6

Weight: 327

RAS: 7.69

Stats to know: A big toe injury forced Goncalves to miss the final nine games of the 2023 season. In 2022, he allowed no sacks and 17 pressures. He ranked 56th out of 200 tackles in pass-blocking efficiency and 55th in PFF’s run-blocking grade. Goncalves has the ability to play both tackle spots.

Positional need: At a minimum, the Colts needed to bolster their depth at this position. They entered the draft with only four offensive tackles in the roster, which isn’t nearly enough to get through training camp and the preseason. In the long term, as we look ahead to 2025, Braden Smith will be in the final year of his deal, which will come with a nearly $20 million cap hit. As a rookie, Blake Freeland experienced ups and downs in 2023. Offensive tackle is a premier position and one that teams should always prioritize. I’m also guessing that with how deep the draft class is at this position, the value was too good for Chris Ballard to pass up.

What Lance Zierlein had to say: “Beefy lineman with experience at both tackle spots who should be able to transition inside if needed. He’s not a natural knee-bender and lacks leverage as a projected guard but has the mass and power to execute blocks inside. He’s a decent athlete for his size but is limited as a move blocker. He’s sound in pass protection, with the only real issue being his inability to change direction quickly against counters and twists. Goncalves might get a shot to prove himself at tackle early in his career but limited foot quickness will shrink his margin for error. The physical traits and two-position potential could make him a middle-round pick with eventual starter potential.”