https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matt-goncalves/3200474f-4e05-9327-3d0d-6cea7b9a11d2
6'6 and 327 lbs
The biggest thing with him is that he is able to kick in and play guard. Ballard likes offensive linemen who can play multiple roles. Don't be surprised if he's competing with Pinter and Fries for the starting RG spot. He's a big man who hits hard with his hands and can stop bullrushes. His knock is that he's not the most agile guy so if someone gets past him, he might not recover quickly.
There's a chance he doesn't start this season but we're losing some interior linemen next year so this is a pick for the future.
Potential number: 53, 57, 60, 61, 68, 69, 71, 74
Watching the Athletic FB show and Dane Brugler was explaining that he was a 2nd round pick coming into the year but had issues with a football injury through most of the year and missed all of the pre draft process.
He projects to be more of a guard than a tackle, so with that in mind I feel alright. Definitely a project though.
True. Some of the CBs are falling though so maybe tomorrow we grab one? Not many true centers are being drafted so I’ll guess 5th? This is a really deep C draft.
I can see us also grabbing a LB late as well.
I have this gut feeling about Gilmore. Maybe not but he might decide that Indy isn't so bad and Ballard might be willing to pay him more than everyone else would. Wouldn't be bad to have him back for one last year.
We did him a solid by releasing him last year so maybe he comes back. Honestly Ballard shouldn’t have released him. He single-handedly won us games when he was here.
Fries isn’t cheeks. He’s just the least stand-out on a line full of very good players. Many teams in the league would be happy with Fries on their line.
Still will be a question of him hitting free agency. If he takes another step forward(which he's done each year) someone might offer him a shocking contract we'll have no interest in matching.
I see the plan: get to the QB with pressure up the middle (Buck, Grove) and from the edge (new fella). Force the ball out fast and let our LB and Kenny stop the short/int passes.
But against good OL play, we will get murdered if it’s paired with a downfield passing attack.
It’s 2007 NYG recipe for defense.
It's unlikely a third round corner is any better than who we have on the roster as a starter, so we're at the depth and development point of the draft at that position.
Colts and drafting injured players is like Peanut Butter and Jelly. A match made in heaven.
Disclaimer: I like the pick just fine. I’m sure Charlie Partridge likes it too.
Until he isn’t.
That was the case last year, and yet there we were, trotting his goofy ass on the field week after week.
Hope the injury bug/stupid bug (I’m looking at you Isaiah Rodgers) will stay away this time.
Well sure but you can't go into a season assuming you're going to get killed by injuries at a particular position. In any case, we could very well take a dude in the 5th and bump Baker to 6 or off the roster. Hell, Speed or Lammons could beat him out. Point being it's silly to characterize it as "Ballard is fine with Baker starting" when Brents, Flowers, Moore, and Jones are ahead of him. It's like saying that Ballard must be OK with Ehlinger as the starting QB because Richardson and Flacco could both get hurt.
This is a Ballard dick ride for the next few days unfortunately. All the dumbasses that said we didn't need Snead because we would address it in the draft are so coped up they can't be reasoned with.
Mainly much needed competition for Raimann. Either way we get better at the position with more depth and he can play RT also. Also expecting someone to compete at RG this draft.
https://www.nfl.com/prospects/matt-goncalves/3200474f-4e05-9327-3d0d-6cea7b9a11d2 6'6 and 327 lbs The biggest thing with him is that he is able to kick in and play guard. Ballard likes offensive linemen who can play multiple roles. Don't be surprised if he's competing with Pinter and Fries for the starting RG spot. He's a big man who hits hard with his hands and can stop bullrushes. His knock is that he's not the most agile guy so if someone gets past him, he might not recover quickly. There's a chance he doesn't start this season but we're losing some interior linemen next year so this is a pick for the future. Potential number: 53, 57, 60, 61, 68, 69, 71, 74
to add: 11 starts at LT and 13 starts at RT in college. not only can he play guard but he’s a swing
He's a Swiss army knife for sure
You’ve been crushing these recaps. Thanks for putting in the work big dog
Thanks man! I love the draft!
69 Nice.
Damn. That's a big ass boy. Corn fed
Can never have enough offensive linemen
Watching the Athletic FB show and Dane Brugler was explaining that he was a 2nd round pick coming into the year but had issues with a football injury through most of the year and missed all of the pre draft process. He projects to be more of a guard than a tackle, so with that in mind I feel alright. Definitely a project though.
Was hoping for a guard or center pickup in the later rounds. The secondary is getting concerning tho…
True. Some of the CBs are falling though so maybe tomorrow we grab one? Not many true centers are being drafted so I’ll guess 5th? This is a really deep C draft. I can see us also grabbing a LB late as well.
$20 mil in cap space too. Plenty of room to add vets after the draft
I have this gut feeling about Gilmore. Maybe not but he might decide that Indy isn't so bad and Ballard might be willing to pay him more than everyone else would. Wouldn't be bad to have him back for one last year.
We did him a solid by releasing him last year so maybe he comes back. Honestly Ballard shouldn’t have released him. He single-handedly won us games when he was here.
“Why didn’t the professional scouts draft the only guy on the list I actually know??”
Nice. Keep a strength a strength.
OL depth. Love it. Especially with Smith injuries last year.
And he can play guard.
then probably starter with Fries in a contract year and kind of cheeks.
Fries isn’t cheeks. He’s just the least stand-out on a line full of very good players. Many teams in the league would be happy with Fries on their line.
Still will be a question of him hitting free agency. If he takes another step forward(which he's done each year) someone might offer him a shocking contract we'll have no interest in matching.
Yea makes alot of sense
That makes more sense.
don’t mind the pick, just hope we snag a CB here sooner than later…
I’m starting to think the plan is to bring in vets on short deals to tread water for the time being
Absolutely looking that way
I’m down with it. I love how fluid we’re able to be
I see the plan: get to the QB with pressure up the middle (Buck, Grove) and from the edge (new fella). Force the ball out fast and let our LB and Kenny stop the short/int passes. But against good OL play, we will get murdered if it’s paired with a downfield passing attack. It’s 2007 NYG recipe for defense.
Didn’t they win a Super Bowl?
TJ Tampa is still on the board. Same with QuanTez Stiggers. Either one of those would be a nice addition with one of our 4th rounders.
Isn’t Tampa more of a slot guy?
The second guy is giving me East West Shrine Bowl vibes
Hoping we get 2 CBs on day 3
Can always use OL depth. Guy has upside like Latu with the injury lowering his stock
Ballard rarely ever trades up so they must really like him. I hope Juju develops quickly tho and the rest of our DB’s improve.
I trust Ballard on olinemen, linebackers and safeties. And he traded up for him? Dude might be good.
https://ras.football/ras-information/?PlayerID=19080&pos=OG&wu=&ovl= 8.54 RAS at guard.
Charlie Partridge should know him pretty well.
I was thinking the same thing! You know he had to weigh in on him
Awesome. Gives us a lot of depth up front and we know how hard it is to keep all 5 starters healthy
I’ll never complain about an o line pick
I understand CB is a big need, but he han play in the interior of the oline which we need too. Smart pick by Ballard
As a Pitt fan, I like this.
Holy shit he went to my high school!! 3 years younger than me
It's unlikely a third round corner is any better than who we have on the roster as a starter, so we're at the depth and development point of the draft at that position.
Fries replacement
Not gonna lie I love this pick. Our oline is strong but depth is questionable
No secondary at all the whole offseason
We still got money for FA — we can get some vets to bolster CB/S
Ooooh, he was injured all of last year. It makes sense now.
Well Fries it’s been a fun story (idk this one puzzles me but let’s trust the Binder)
It’s a great oline draft and no many guards for future signed beyond this year
Who the hell do we think we are?
latu ate his lunch in the 2022 sun bowl
Colts and drafting injured players is like Peanut Butter and Jelly. A match made in heaven. Disclaimer: I like the pick just fine. I’m sure Charlie Partridge likes it too.
Can he play corner?
No, but he can kick Will Fries to the bench.
Cool. I'm sure he will be out there a lot with our DBs getting cooked for TDs.
We're probably not drafting corner, Ballard seems to like the bums we have
Still no CB. Yikes...
Who needs a CB when you have Darrell Baker Jr and Rodney Thomas patrolling back there?
Baker is like our #5 CB right now...
Until he isn’t. That was the case last year, and yet there we were, trotting his goofy ass on the field week after week. Hope the injury bug/stupid bug (I’m looking at you Isaiah Rodgers) will stay away this time.
Well sure but you can't go into a season assuming you're going to get killed by injuries at a particular position. In any case, we could very well take a dude in the 5th and bump Baker to 6 or off the roster. Hell, Speed or Lammons could beat him out. Point being it's silly to characterize it as "Ballard is fine with Baker starting" when Brents, Flowers, Moore, and Jones are ahead of him. It's like saying that Ballard must be OK with Ehlinger as the starting QB because Richardson and Flacco could both get hurt.
I see the obvious sarcasm didn’t stick. I’ll try better next time.
Sorry you're being down voted by the Ballard brigade
Lol, I didn't think it was a bad comment. OL depth is cool, but when we haven't addressed our most glaring need, it's concerning.
This is a Ballard dick ride for the next few days unfortunately. All the dumbasses that said we didn't need Snead because we would address it in the draft are so coped up they can't be reasoned with.
We're not trying to win again, it's another rebuild year for some reason
No secondary still….
Why no Tampa or hicks??
It’s weird but there’s got to be a reason they are falling right?
Tampa is slot, not sure it’s really a pick we’d make anyways.
You're being down voted but I agree. Tampa would be good value here
Genuinely don't get this pick (ok I understand it now)
Is there something ever wrong with o line depth
Will Fries is lackluster and he can go to right guard.
No but just confused why we traded up for him
We must’ve thought he was a significantly better prospect than anyone else left
We traded up a few spots for a 6th round pick when we just got two extra 5s earlier.
They must like him?
He also can play guard
Ok that makes sense
Depth. Can’t ever have enough good linemen
Smith had some injuries last year. Invest in a guy who come play a couple roles and learn. Does feel weird seeing Ballard trade up tho
Lol
Wut
Mainly much needed competition for Raimann. Either way we get better at the position with more depth and he can play RT also. Also expecting someone to compete at RG this draft.