2025 NFL draft preview: Current state of Indianapolis Colts' offensive tackle position

With the 2025 NFL draft almost here, we will be taking a position-by-position look at the current state of the Indianapolis Colts' roster.Up next, let's take a look at the offensive tackle position.Who's on the roster at offensive tackle for the Colts?Bernhard RaimannBraden SmithMatt GoncalvesBlake FreelandLuke TenutaJack WilsonFree agency moves at offensive tackleNo tackles were signed once the free agency period began, and no tackles were released.

The move that did take place here involved reworking Braden Smith's contract for the 2025 season.Initially, Smith was due a base salary of $14.75 million and had a cap hit of $19.75 million, which was the fourth-largest on the team.

However, after taking a pay cut, his base salary is now $3.96 million, and his cap hit is $10.4 million.In total, over $9 million in additional cap space for the 2025 season was created by the Colts.Need at offensive tackle in the NFL draftThe degree to which this position is a need depends on where Matt Goncalves is going to be lined up.

If the Colts find another option at right guard, allowing Goncalves to stay at tackle, the need here isn't that significant.In that scenario, Goncalves can again be the swing tackle off the bench as well as the long-term option at right tackle with Smith in the final year of his deal.However, if the Colts want Goncalves to compete at right guard, tackle becomes a pretty big need.

If Goncalves is at guard, then the swing tackle off the bench is Blake Freeland, who has not been reliable when called upon.

At a minimum, competition for that role off the bench will have to be brought in.In addition to that, if Goncalves is going to move to guard and stay there, again, with Smith in the final year of his deal, the prudent move for the Colts would be to start looking for his potential replacement in 2026 and beyond.So, what's the need here? I guess, before answering that, we need to know where Goncalves is going to line up this summer.Offensive tackle big boardHere are the top offensive tackle prospects in this year's draft, courtesy of Pro Football Focus.Will Campbell, LSUArmand Membou, MissouriJosh Simmons, Ohio StateKelvin Banks, TexasJosh Conerly, OregonAireontae Ersery, MinnesotaOzzy Trapilo, Boston CollegeMarcus Mbow, PurdueCameron Williams, TexasCharles Grant, William & MaryAnthony Belton, NC StateThis article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Previewing Colts' offensive tackle position.

This article has been shared from the original article on yahoo, here is the link to the original article.