The Indianapolis Colts added some depth and upside to the offensive line when they selected offensive tackle Blake Freeland in the fourth round of the 2023 NFL draft.
With Bernhard Raimann and Braden Smith likely the favorites to start at the tackle spots, Freeland should be able to provide some swing tackle depth considering his elite athleticism, movement skills and intriguing size.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to the pick:
Indianapolis selects BYU OT Blake Freeland 106th overall
🔵 91.0 PFF Grade last season (2nd among OT's) pic.twitter.com/VL97NxzNgF
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 29, 2023
Ballard likes former TEs turned OL after bulking up quick who are still very athletic:
• Danny Pinter
• Bernhard Raimann
• Blake Freeland https://t.co/LIzlmdvKWl— Jay Robins 🧾mark (@RobinsLucas) April 29, 2023
Blake Freeland is a Chris Ballard pick through and through. 120-inch broad jump (98th percentile), 37-inch vertical (99th percentile), and ran a 4.98 40 (93rd percentile). #NFLDraft2023 @FreelandBlake x @TheDraftNetwork https://t.co/ynj9n0l1gW
— Justin M (@JustinM_NFL) April 29, 2023
Blake Freeland was drafted with pick 106 of round 4 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.83 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 23 out of 1294 OT from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/9IqzQvVuDF pic.twitter.com/0w77yoDyC4
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023
Only pick I didn’t love for the Colts was Blake Freeland, and even then I had a round 4 grade on him.
Overall a really strong draft class on paper. Excited to see these guys in 2023
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) April 29, 2023
Knew Colts were going to hit the o-line soon for new QB Anthony Richardson.
Just drafted BYU OT Blake Freeland.
Footwork and athleticism look like they’re already there. Just needs to get stronger and improve his technique a bit.
— Luke Schultheis (@LuckAtLuke) April 29, 2023
From @dpbrugler on Blake Freeland, who could grow into the Colts' swing tackle behind Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann pic.twitter.com/amfynTKmRS
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) April 29, 2023
Blake Freeland backstory:
➡️ Was a HS QB up until his senior year, where he switched to TE/DL
➡️ Bulked up big-time to play OL
➡️ Lots of experience at both tackle spots and feels comfortable at either (played both at Senior Bowl)
➡️ 0 sacks allowed and only 2 penalties in 2022— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) April 29, 2023
The #Colts continue killing this draft. Blake Freeland is a super athletic lineman. Adetomiwa Adebawore is No. 31 overall on my Big Board. Insane. A phenomenal start to the day!
— Hunter Haas. (@NFLDraftHaas) April 29, 2023
Surprised Blake Freeland landed to the fourth round. A few scouts had Kolton Miller comps for him. Major athlete
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) April 29, 2023
LOVE Blake Freeland to the Colts.
— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 29, 2023
#BYU OT Blake Freeland goes to the Colts in the 4th round as the 106th pick overall. Congratulations to Blake! https://t.co/YjRHhHNLzq
— Total Blue Sports (@TotalBlueSports) April 29, 2023
