The name Bayron Matos might not be overly familiar to most NFL fans, though some Miami Dolphins fans might know the player. Indianapolis Colts fans might get a chance to know him better if Matos makes the active 53-man roster before Week 1.
Matos hasn't played a down in the league yet. He was part of the International Pathway Program initially and spent time on the Dolphins' practice squad in 2024. Last year, the offensive tackle was signed by Indy and then was on the practice squad throughout the season. After last season ended, Indianapolis immediately signed him to a reserve/future contract.
He only played basketball for much of his time in college, but he walked on for one season at South Florida. Even then, the current offensive lineman didn't play his new position. He got 11 snaps in total in 2022 and was a defensive lineman. In other words, the 6'9" and 290-pound player is probably still extremely raw in terms of football ability.
Little-known Bayron Matos could find his way onto the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 roster
He does have excellent athleticism, and Colts general manager Chris Ballard doesn't mind taking chances on former basketball players. Mo Alie-Cox only played basketball in college and has been a valuable tight end for many seasons now. Indy is hoping former Notre Dame basketball player Carson Towt can make the same jump this offseason.
Still, playing tight end after not playing much football is one thing. Protecting quarterback Daniel Jones on an every-down basis is another issue altogether.
ESPN's Stephen Holder, though, projects Bayron Matos to make the roster in 2026. Not on the practice squad, but on the actual roster.
If that happens, Matos, who is only 25 years old, is probably going to be a healthy scratch in most games. While the roster is 53 players, only 46 are active on game days. The Indianapolis Colts are seemingly set for the long term at offensive tackle with Bernhard Raimann and Jalen Travis, and their immediate backups are likely Luke Tenuta and Blake Freeland.
That means Bayron Matos would be the fifth tackle, and 10th or 11th offensive lineman overall. That doesn't mean he won't play, of course, but the hope is he wouldn't, just as no team wants their third-string offensive tackle to be forced into much playing time.
What keeping Matos on the roster would ultimately mean is that the young player gets more reps in Colts practice against other competent NFL players. On the practice squad, he wouldn't get nearly as many snaps. Indianapolis wants Matos to continue to grow, and keeping him on the active roster should allow him to do just that.
Maybe Bayron Matos doesn't see the field in 2026. He might never do. But at just 25, he could still develop into the kind of tackle who is a backup, and one who sticks around for a long time. There is real value in that.
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