Watching offensive linemen on the NFL might not be the most enjoyable thing to do on a Sunday afternoon, but this is still an opportunity for the Indianapolis Colts to find recruiting prospects to bolster their unit.
There were 51 offensive linemen invited to the combine, but for the Colts’ needs, the focus may be more on interior lineman than tackle.
Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann should be the bookends for Indy in 2023. While Chris Ballard needs to find momentum for deep purposes, the veteran will likely fill that role, and there are some versatile draft prospects who can play inside and outside the line.
If there’s one aspect of testing attackers to pay attention to, it’s their short shuttle. There is evidence that players turn into at least quality NFL starters if they do the drill well.
As I mentioned, don’t expect to see matchups on this roster unless they offer versatility on the inside, and players expected to go early in the first round will not be included.
Here are some names to watch out for on Sunday:
O’Cyrus Torrence, Florida
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Torrence is currently on the verge of being a first-round pick, but could be in reach for the Colts if they hold on to the No. 35 pick on day two and end up falling because of how the draft unfolds. He started his career at the University of Louisiana before transferring to Florida to prove he could play at a higher level.
He was at the Senior Bowl, his measurements are as follows:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 337
Hand: 33 7/8″
Hand: 11 1/4″
Wing: 84″
If the Colts want to find their starting right guard, then Torrence could be a Day 2 option if they hold the No. 35 pick and he does indeed fall out of the back of the first round.
Cody Mauch, North Dakota State
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The former tight end at North Dakota State not only made the transition to offensive tackle, but he did it so well that he’s on the NFL radar for Day 2 of the draft. He’s projected to be a guard or center at the next level, but his experience at tackle will provide value to teams. Mauch was at the Senior Bowl so we have his measurements:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 305
Hand: 32 1/8″
Hand: 9 5/8″
Wing: 79 3/4″
Steve Avila, TCU
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Avila brings a lot of experience with him to the higher level after playing in over 30 games during his college career. He offers positional versatility in the interior of the forward line with his experience as a fullback and center. He was a vital part of TCU’s offensive line that helped them reach the national championship.
His most recent measurements came at the Senior Bowl:
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 332
Hand: 35″
Hand: 10 1/4″
Wing: 84″
Joe Tippmann, Wisconsin
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Colts have Ryan Kelly, why should they pay attention to centers? Well, I’m in the camp where it wouldn’t surprise me if the franchise moved from veteran to trade this offseason. If that happens, then they have to decide if they want to bring in a rookie to compete with Danny Pinter for the starting role.
One name could be Tippmann. He comes from Wisconsin, a school known for producing NFL offensive linemen. He was listed at 6-foot-6 and 317 pounds in his final college season.
John Michael Schmitz, Minnesota
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Another name for the Colts to keep an eye on as a potential center is Schmitz. Opinions on him vary, from some who think he could be a back-of-the-first-round pick to landing somewhere on the second day. The Minnesota product participated in the Senior Bowl, so here are his latest measurements:
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 306
Hand: 32 3/4″
Hand: 9 5/8″
Wing: 78 7/8″
Matthew Bergeron, Syracuse
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Bergeron is a prospect from Canada who graduated from high school before joining Syracuse. He became the first freshman to start at his alma mater in almost 20 years. He is the first player on this list to spend his college career playing tackle, which he has done on the right and left side.
There is a feeling among analysts that he could slide inside as a guard so his versatility at the position could be valuable to the Colts. At the Senior Bowl, he had the following measurements:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 323
Hand: 33 5/8″
Hand: 9 1/2″
Wing: 82 3/8″
McClendon Curtis, Tennessee-Chattanooga
Curtis brings with him a wealth of NFL experience with 38 starts. He is a versatile lineman who has primarily played as a right back, but has also played on the left side. Not only as a fullback, but he also started seven games in the left position. His most recent measurements come from the Senior Bowl at:
Height: 6’5″
Weight: 331
Hand: 35″
Hand: 10 1/4″
Wing: 84″
Braeden Daniels, Utah
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Daniels is another forward in this class who brings with him experience and versatility. He has 43 starts while playing left guard, left tackle and right tackle during his college career. He was last listed at 6-foot-4 and 297 pounds in his final season at Utah.
Jordan McFadden, Clemson
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McFadden is one of those power forward prospects who spent their college years as players, but because of his size, he’s better suited to slot in as a guard. He will also bring plenty of experience with 39 starts over the last three years. His last measurements come from the Sanctuary at:
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 295
Hand: 34″
Hand: 9 3/8″
Wing: 81 3/8″
Warren McClendon Jr., Georgia
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McClendon Jr. is a three-year starter coming from Georgia after winning the last two national championships. He was the right choice for the Bulldogs, but because of his size, there is a belief that he might be better suited for an inside guard role. If the Colts want an offensive lineman with playing experience on day three, then he could be an option for them. At the Senior Bowl, his measurements were:
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 290
Hand: 34″
Hand: 10″
Wing: 80 5/8″