The Indianapolis Colts aren’t thinking about the 2024 NFL draft, but many analysts have them pegged for a top-five pick again, which means the chance to select another premium player may be available.
As Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith head into the season as the starting tackles, there are questions pertaining to the depth and future of the positions going into the 2023 season.
The tandem could prove to be a solid one in Year 1 under new head coach Shane Steichen and new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr, but Bleacher Report believes the position will wind up being a problem for the Colts.
That’s why they believe Notre Dame’s Joe Alt should be near the top of their priority list in 2024.
One aspect of the Colts’ roster that could potentially derail the Florida product’s career is the team’s offensive line, especially at tackle. Indianapolis allowed 60 sacks last season with Bernhard Raimann (seven), Braden Smith (seven) and Matt Pryor (six) serving as the biggest culprits, yielding 20 combined quarterback takedowns, per Pro Football Focus.
Adding the Golden Domer to the Colts’ line would help keep Richardson upright while also giving them the flexibility to get out of Smith’s contract next offseason. The team would save about $13.7 million of cap space with a post-June 1 designation, via Over The Cap, in that situation.
Raimann, who originally played tight end at Central Michigan, was highly regarded for his athleticism coming out of college and could potentially make the switch to right tackle. By no means am I trying to downplay that position change, but he’s only played left tackle for three years, so it’s not as if that would be a dramatic shift.
Also, the Colts could keep Smith and plug Alt in on the left side. Regardless of what they do, there’s no doubt that their young quarterback would have a better chance of succeeding with the Fighting Irshman in the lineup.
Smith certainly didn’t play up to expectations in 2022. The same can be said for the entire offensive line. But he was much more consistent down the stretch save for the Week 15 game against the Minnesota Vikings.
Raimann could prove to be a solid left tackle during his second season. He too performed better during the second half of the regular season.
But if Alt proves to be a potential franchise-changing left tackle, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the Colts considered him early in the first round while figuring out what to do with the rest of the offensive line.
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