We’re still months away from Indianapolis Colts training camp kickoff, but it’s never too early to take an early peek at a positional battle that is already potentially brewing.
The Favorite: Matt Goncalves
Originally selected by the Colts in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the rookie was thrown into the fire early as Indianapolis’ immediate swing-tackle—and even making 8 starts due to injuries as a first-year pro that same year.
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With starting right guard Will Fries’ departure in free agency last offseason though, the Colts had an immediate vacancy to fill his sizable shoes. Goncalves proceeded to make 16 starts at right guard for the Colts last season and was largely serviceable there during his first season as a full-time offensive line starter—although one could make the reasonable argument that he looks more natural and comfortable at right tackle all things considered.
That being said, Goncalves has already ‘bulked up’ regarding his playing weight in the hopes of getting stronger and more powerful playing along the interior—which indicates he believes his immediate football future best remains at starting right guard. However, he’ll still have to earn the starting job in training camp outright again.
The Challenger: Jalen Farmer
Selected by the Colts in the 4th round of this year’s recent NFL Draft, the 6’,5”, 312 pound Farmer is much more physical mauler in a phone booth than husky technician in contrast to Goncalves’s interior blocking style. Featuring tremendous physicality and power, as a certified road grader in the ground game, Farmer has the potential to seriously challenge Goncalves for the starting job in training camp—if taken lightly.
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Particularly, if the Colts want to deploy a smash mouth power running game with star workhorse Jonathan Taylor again up front—which could make sense, especially with starting quarterback Daniel Jones still potentially on the mend (and not 100%) from a late 2025 season suffered torn Achilles. The Colts could heavily lean on their power zone run blocking initially in the 2026 season to take some early pressure off Jones and ease him back in to action a bit off the Achilles injury. It’s hard to envision them ever being a pure passing team with Jones regardless—as it’s more run first with Taylor to set up the pass for Jones.
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