The Indianapolis Colts currently have four of their ideal five starting offensive line positions locked in, with one vacancy remaining. After losing Will Fries to the Minnesota Vikings, the Colts’ remaining vacancy and biggest weakness on the O-line is at right guard. The team will likely have two to three players compete for the starting job throughout the offseason, including a former Day 2 pick.
The Indianapolis Colts’ Day 2 could contend for the RG job
Matt Goncalves is a candidate to compete for the starting right guard spot. Goncalves served as the swing tackle during his rookie season, starting three games at left tackle and the final five at right tackle, with over 566 snaps. He did a decent job of filling in at both spots, giving up 22 pressures, four QB hits, and three sacks while posting a 57.1 pass-blocking grade, a 69.3 run-blocking grade, and a 65.9 overall PFF grade.
Since he’s a Day 2 pick, won’t start at either tackle spot, and is good enough to start in this league, Goncalves’s best option could be at right guard over sitting on the bench.
Indianapolis Colts confirm position change for 3rd round pick
During Tuesday’s press conference, via Paul Bretl of Colts Wire, offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. confirmed that Matt Goncalves will convert from offensive tackle to guard this offseason. Sparano also shared that Goncalves took reps at guard throughout last year, and this isn’t a totally new position for him. The front office has a lot of confidence in him.
“We’re prioritizing him to play right guard,” Sparano said, via Bretl.
“I look at his skill set and the skill set that he has,” Sparano added. “He’s a big man. He’s got power. He’s got length and he’s really, deceptively very light on his feet. He’s quick. He can get out in space, you saw some of the stuff he did in the run game out in space last year was very good. That about his skill set excited me, plus he’s a really tough physical player. For our guards, that is non-negotiable, they gotta be that way and he is that way.”
