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Training camp for the Indianapolis Colts kicks off in about a month, so as part of our preview of what's to come, we will be evaluating each positional battle that is expected to unfold.
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Next up is the offensive line unit.
I'm not going to completely rule out rookie Jalen Farmer pushing Matt Goncalves for snaps at right guard, but we should expect Goncalves to be the Week 1 starter. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano is very bullish about Goncalves making a jump in Year 2 as a guard.
So perhaps more applicable to this training camp battle conversation is what the depth chart beyond the starters will look like, specifically at tackle? Luke Tenuta, Blake Freeland, and Nolan Rucci will all be in the mix for that first off-the-bench role.
Freeland is the most experienced of this group, but most of his playing time came in 2023. He missed all of last year with an injury. By season's end, with Jalen Travis starting, Tenuta was the first option off the bench. Rucci provides a high-upside presence, but as a UDFA, he may need more time to develop.
This is a coin flip. But for now, I'll go with Tenuta, and the only reason is that of the three, we've seen him most recently at the NFL level.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp battles: Evaluating offensive tackle depth
Continue reading...
What took place during offseason programs laid the foundation for each of these competitions and provided us with some insights into where things may stand. That said, how training camp and the preseason unfold will ultimately determine who wins these roles.
Next up is the offensive line unit.
What Colts' training camp battle is taking place along the offensive line?
I'm not going to completely rule out rookie Jalen Farmer pushing Matt Goncalves for snaps at right guard, but we should expect Goncalves to be the Week 1 starter. Offensive line coach Tony Sparano is very bullish about Goncalves making a jump in Year 2 as a guard.
So perhaps more applicable to this training camp battle conversation is what the depth chart beyond the starters will look like, specifically at tackle? Luke Tenuta, Blake Freeland, and Nolan Rucci will all be in the mix for that first off-the-bench role.
What do we know about this positional battle?
Freeland is the most experienced of this group, but most of his playing time came in 2023. He missed all of last year with an injury. By season's end, with Jalen Travis starting, Tenuta was the first option off the bench. Rucci provides a high-upside presence, but as a UDFA, he may need more time to develop.
Prediction: Who is the Colts' swing tackle?
This is a coin flip. But for now, I'll go with Tenuta, and the only reason is that of the three, we've seen him most recently at the NFL level.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts training camp battles: Evaluating offensive tackle depth
Continue reading...
