Imposing offensive tackle Ryan Van Demark had a pre-draft visit with Colts
The Indianapolis Colts need to build up the offensive line in the NFL Draft and they may do that with Ryan Van Demark.
One area the Indianapolis Colts still need to improve is the offensive line, specifically the left tackle position. Although the job is Matt Pryor’s to lose, Indy has to have someone behind Pryor prepared.
That someone will likely be found in the NFL Draft. Throughout the pre-draft process, the Colts have been linked to early-round linemen like Bernhard Raimann and Trevor Penning.
While those guys are options, Indianapolis could go with a tackle that isn’t projected to go as high. Ryan Van Demark is on the Colts’ radar after a recent visit with the team.
UConn OT Ryan Van Demark -- who shined at his shirtless pro day -- visited the #Chargers, #Cardinals and #Colts this week, with the #Chiefs up next, per source. Six official visits in all for Van Demark, who stands 6-6 and 307 pounds. https://t.co/fhY7DNZ3hS
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 15, 2022
Ryan Van Demark visits with Colts
Van Demark hasn’t been present at many of the pre-draft circuit stops. He wasn’t invited to the Senior Bowl or the NFL Combine but he is still on a lot of team’s boards.
A big reason why is Van Demark’s imposing size and impressive Pro Day. He’s a lean 6-foot-6 and just over 300 pounds. He also moves really well at his size and had an impressive outing at the Shrine Bowl.
In a Sports Illustrated piece detailing Van Demark as a prospect, Joey Haggan shows how Van Demark’s Pro Day numbers compare to his peers who were invited to the NFL Combine:
"Had he gone to the Combine, his bench press of 24 reps would have had him tied for third-best among all offensive tackles that participated. His 30.5-inch vertical would have had him tied for the second-best among [those] who participated. Plus, his 9-foot, 5-inch broad jump would have landed him as the second-best."
Van Demark started on the offensive line at UConn since his freshman year and has dominated the players put in front of him in games and showcases. By all accounts, he’s an NFL tackle and some team will be lucky to scoop him in the later rounds.
Maybe the Colts could be that lucky team. Indy will likely go receiver early before addressing the tackle position. With Van Demark expected to be available for a while, it could work perfectly if Indianapolis gets a wideout and comes back to select Van Demark pairing him with Quenton Nelson.
