Colts: Should fans be concerned about offensive line still not being addressed?

Much to the dismay of fans, the Indianapolis Colts have spent the better part of free agency spectating from the sidelines while other contenders, even some that made deep playoff runs last season, bolstered their respective rosters.

The biggest question entering the offseason was at quarterback, but that conundrum was nipped in the bud following the blockbuster acquisition of Carson Wentz.

When you consider that the deal was completed a few months ago, we can’t wrap our minds around why the Colts have still yet to address their left tackle vacancy.

After all, shouldn’t you have a reliable starter in place for a QB who’s looking to rediscover his confidence?

All signs are pointing to Indy shoring up this dilemma in the early stages of the 2021 Draft, but there’s no way to know if whomever they draft will live up to expectations.

Taking that into account, should fans be concerned that the LT position still hasn’t been resolved?

Why haven’t the Colts addressed their left tackle vacancy yet?

The retirement of longtime starter Anthony Castonzo took everybody in the organization by surprise, and the Colts (to their credit) didn’t panic and splurge on an overpriced free agent.

However, GM Chris Ballard better hope whichever prospects he’s circled as potential long term replacements fulfill their potential. If not, he — for as great as he’s been in the draft across his first four years at the helm — may never live down passing on Trent Williams in free agency.

We fully understand the risk of giving a 32-year-old left tackle a six-year, $138 million contract, which is what Williams received from the 49ers, but the seven-time Pro Bowler’s addition would’ve gone a long way towards maximizing Indianapolis’ championship window.

On the flip side, there’s also a great risk that comes with thrusting a rookie into a full-time role at left tackle, which is unequivocally the most important spot on the OL, so early in his career. After all, very few of the top prospects in the 2021 class played left tackle throughout college.

If the Colts have reservations about moving either one of right guard Quenton Nelson and right tackle Braden Smith over to LT, then how could they possibly justify doing so with an unproven prospect who will be under a ton of pressure to protect Wentz’s blindside?

This obviously isn’t to say that we don’t trust Ballard, whose drafting has been pristine over the last four years.

However, we also don’t fault fans who are bothered by the fact that he seems set on finding Indy’s new left tackle in the draft, especially considering that there were many proven commodities available in free agency and he insisted on hoarding most of his ample cap space instead.

Indianapolis Colts: Rashawn Slater is a prospect worth trading up for

If the Indianapolis Colts find the intestinal fortitude to trade up, they should select Northwestern offensive lineman Rashawn Slater