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Between now and training camp, we will be going through the Indianapolis Colts' full 90-man roster, previewing each player.
Up next is guard Matt Goncalves, who wears No. 71.
Goncalves was a third-round pick by the Colts in the 2024 NFL draft. He was the 79th overall selection.
A college tackle, Goncalves moved to right guard in his second NFL season. There, he would rank 32nd out of 83 eligible guards in PFF's run-blocking grade. In pass protection, Goncalves surrendered 34 pressures -- the 12th-most among all guards -- and two sacks, ranking tied for 50th in PFF's pass blocking efficiency metric.
This offseason, Goncalves bulked up, putting on more good weight to better handle the power rushers that guards often see along the interior. And with a year of experience under his belt at right guard, offensive line coach Tony Sparano is bullish on Goncalves' ability to take a big step forward in 2026.
"There's going to be some growing pains with that," Sparano said, via Locked on Colts. "That being said, you watch what he did last year, this dude played some really high-level ball for the majority of the season, and he learned a ton of stuff in the process. So yeah, I expect him to hit the ground running. He's already well ahead right now of where he was a year ago, which is what you want to see."
Jalen Farmer could potentially push Goncalves for playing time, but until we see otherwise, right guard remains his job.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts roster: Matt Goncalves expected to hit ground running in Year 2 at guard
Continue reading...
Up next is guard Matt Goncalves, who wears No. 71.
Profile
- Height: 6-6
- Weight: 317
- Age: 25
- NFL experience: Year 3
- College Pittsburgh
Matt Goncalves' tenure with the Colts
Goncalves was a third-round pick by the Colts in the 2024 NFL draft. He was the 79th overall selection.
Recapping Matt Goncalves' 2025 season
A college tackle, Goncalves moved to right guard in his second NFL season. There, he would rank 32nd out of 83 eligible guards in PFF's run-blocking grade. In pass protection, Goncalves surrendered 34 pressures -- the 12th-most among all guards -- and two sacks, ranking tied for 50th in PFF's pass blocking efficiency metric.
Looking ahead to 2026 for Matt Goncalves
This offseason, Goncalves bulked up, putting on more good weight to better handle the power rushers that guards often see along the interior. And with a year of experience under his belt at right guard, offensive line coach Tony Sparano is bullish on Goncalves' ability to take a big step forward in 2026.
"There's going to be some growing pains with that," Sparano said, via Locked on Colts. "That being said, you watch what he did last year, this dude played some really high-level ball for the majority of the season, and he learned a ton of stuff in the process. So yeah, I expect him to hit the ground running. He's already well ahead right now of where he was a year ago, which is what you want to see."
Jalen Farmer could potentially push Goncalves for playing time, but until we see otherwise, right guard remains his job.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts roster: Matt Goncalves expected to hit ground running in Year 2 at guard
Continue reading...
