The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive line took a major hit in March, losing its third starter over the past two offseasons. This time, the co-longest-tenured offensive lineman, Braden Smith, joined the Houston Texans, leaving a void at right tackle. Smith, the former second-round pick, wrapped up a solid eight-year stint with Indianapolis, instantly becoming a Day 1 starter and starting 108 games at right tackle, including the playoffs.
So far, the Colts have not signed an offensive tackle in free agency other than re-signing Luke Tenuta. Since the team does not have a first-round pick, they will likely bypass drafting a tackle in the second and third rounds and instead address other needs. Because of this, they will likely be counting on a rookie to step up in Year 2.
Indianapolis Colts’ fourth-round pick stepped into a key role down the stretch
Indianapolis Colts, Shane Steichen and Jalen Travis
Nov 23, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen reacts with offensive tackle Jalen Travis (75) during warm ups before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Jalen Travis won the swing tackle job in training camp heading into his rookie season following Blake Freeland’s season-ending injury in the preseason. The fourth-round pick played an important role down the stretch, including filling in at right tackle in Week 14 after Braden Smith went down with a concussion and neck injury, starting Weeks 15, 17, and 18, and starting at left tackle in Week 16 when Bernhard Raimann sat out with an elbow injury. Travis allowed 12 pressures and one sack across 17 games, including four starts, and accounted for 315 offensive snaps.
The Colts backup to replace 108-game starter
Indianapolis Colts, Jalen Travis
Indianapolis Colts offensive tackle Jalen Travis (75) walks up the field Sunday, Aug. 10, 2025, during Indianapolis Colts Training Camp at Grand Park in Westfield.
According to Mike Chappell of FOX 59, the immediate plan is for Jalen Travis to take over as the starting right tackle in 2026. He highlighted the rookie filling in at right tackle in three of the remaining four games, describing it as a “trial-by-fire” and how the Colts were impressed with his temperament, intelligence, and size. Chappell also notes that if the team isn’t satisfied with Travis’s progress come training camp, they could move Matt Goncalves to right tackle and figure out what to do with right guard.
“The immediate plan is for Jalen Travis to step in at right tackle,” Chappell said. “The 2024 fourth-round pick appeared in all 17 games as a rookie and experienced a trial-by-fire final month when Smith was out with a concussion and neck injury. After appearing in just 38 snaps in the first 12 games, Travis started the final four games and handled all 242 snaps. The coaching staff likes his temperament, intelligence and size (6-8, 339 pounds).”
“If the Colts get to training camp and aren’t satisfied with Travis’ progress, they could move right guard Matt Goncalves to tackle and figure out the guard spot. The 2024 third-round pick is a natural tackle who started three games at left tackle and five at right tackle as a rookie.”
The Colts have a history of young offensive linemen replacing former starters
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Indianapolis Colts center Tanor Bortolini (60) warms up Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, before a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
This isn’t the first time the Colts have turned to a young offensive lineman to replace a veteran; it marks the third instance in the past two years. Tanor Bortolini won the starting center job last offseason, replacing Ryan Kelly, during which he started 16 games and was one of the highest-graded players at the position. Additionally, Matt Goncalves won the starting right guard job in his second season and started 15 of 16 games there.