The Indianapolis Colts' unofficial depth chart currently lists Dalton Tucker and rookie Jalen Farmer as the two second-string guards. Josh Sills appears after Tucker as the third-team left guard. At tackle, Blake Freeland and Luke Tenuta are the backups on the left and right sides, respectively.
After one preseason game, I would suggest that Sills and Freeland are the Colts' two best reserve linemen and should eventually secure roster spots. The other spots should come down to a contest between Tucker, Tenuta, Farmer, and center Jimmy Morrissey.
I’m guessing Chris Ballard very much wants to see Farmer earn a spot, and then it may come down to whether Shane Steichen feels confident enough in Tucker’s ability to fill in at center if needed.
Indianapolis Colts offensive line reserves begin to show some clarity after the first preseason game
No one should be overreacting after one preseason game. The Colts were playing against second- and third-teamers for the Patriots.
Still, a few things looked pretty obvious. In terms of pass blocking, the right side of Sills and Freeland was comparable to Tenuta and either Dalton or Farmer on the left. But when it came to run blocking, Sills and Freeland were decidedly better. They consistently got major pushes against the Patriot backups.
Freeland isn’t a big surprise. He was decent when pressed into service as a rookie and may well have solidified the role of swing tackle last year had he not been injured. That opened the door for Jalen Travis and the rookie burst through.
He is the starting right tackle this year, stepping into the role of long-time starter Braden Smith. With Freeland, it is very encouraging to see him back and healthy.
Sills is a different story. He is a big, powerful blocker, but has never had much of a presence in the NFL. At 28, he may be running out of years to make his mark. I thought he looked very good against New England. He gave up a pressure or two, but was never cleanly beaten in pass pro. And on running plays, he was a road grader.
The left side of the line was not nearly as dominant. Tenuta’s length gives him good leverage on passing plays, but it may well be a detriment on runs. Farmer showed some promising movement, but he almost certainly still needs experience.
I think the team knows what to expect from Tucker by this point. He will never be a dominant player, but he is a veteran, and if he shows he can step in at center, that could be enough to secure a spot.
After the starters, it is beginning to look like Farmer is assured of a spot, as is the winner of the Freeland-Tenuta battle for swing tackle. Both may make the squad. Tackles are always at a premium. Tenuta appeared to have injured his knee against the Patriots, which could obviously have a major impact on the competition for swing tackle.
Based on just one game, I would keep Sills as well, though this may come down to numbers. Either Morrissey or Tucker has a spot as backup center, and if both can play guard as well, will there be room for three backup interior linemen?
Time will tell. The Colts have a very good starting group, and they were also relatively healthy last year. After just one preseason game, I am keeping Freeland, Farmer, Sills, and whoever proves more consistent at center between Tucker and Morrissey.
This would be an easier call if either Sills or Farmer showed they could step in as an emergency tackle. Both have the size, length, and power to do it. In his first year at Oklahoma State (after three years at West Virginia), Sills did, in fact, get some time at both right and left tackle. Ideally, the Colts are giving him some work there in case of emergency.
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