A first round offensive lineman for the Indianapolis Colts in the 2025 NFL draft?
That’s what Joe DeLeone of Pro Football Network had the Colts doing in his latest mock draft.
At pick No. 14, DeLeone had the Colts selecting Alabama interior offensive lineman Tyler Booker.
Booker played just over 2,000 snaps during his three college seasons, spending most of his time at left guard. During that span, he allowed only two total sacks and never more than 15 pressures in a season.
In 2024 specifically, Booker was PFF’s ninth highest rated pass-blocker among all guards. For what it’s worth, he often graded out better in pass protection than as a run-blocker.
“Bolstering their offensive line with the best guard prospect in the class is how they can effectively accomplish raising the floor of the Colts’ offense,” wrote DeLeone.
General manager Chris Ballard said that he likes what he saw from the Colts’ rookie offensive linemen in 2024 and that at the end of the season, the unit as a whole was playing at a higher level.
However, he also added that this offseason, they need to make sure the depth and talent level is sufficient heading into the 2025 season.
When it comes to the interior offensive line, as of now with Will Fries set to be a free agent, there is a hole at right guard that has to be addressed. I imagine that Dalton Tucker–again, if Fries ends up elsewhere–won’t just be handed that job.
In addition to that, Danny Pinter and Mark Glowinski are both free agents as well. And while neither are long-term options, there is a lack of depth without them on the roster.
Now, does that mean we see the Colts use a first round pick on this position group? The odds of that happening probably depends heavily on whether or not Fries is back.
But success for the Colts offense, as DeLeone mentions, begins with the offensive line play. They need a run game to lean on and the quarterback needs time in the pocket.
