The assumption for the Indianapolis Colts is that they will replace longtime starting right tackle Braden Smith with Jalen Travis. Travis was pretty good as a rookie in spot duty when Smith missed games with an injury. Now, Smith is playing for the Houston Texans, and Travis is dealing with back issues.
The latter might not be a problem once the real games begin, of course. That's the hope. But what if the problem pops up during the season? Who would replace Travis? One possibility is undrafted free agent Nolan Rucci from this offseason.
That is, at least, the thinking of CBS Sports, which points out that the Penn State product has one of the better chances among UDFAs of making the active 53-man roster. The offensive lineman certainly has great size at 6'8" and 315 pounds, with a frame to add even more mass. He seemingly lacks good agility and NFL-type strength.
Indianapolis Colts might have found a UDFA gem in right tackle Nolan Rucci
Still, Josh Edwards of CBS Sports writes, "(Rucci) has developmental traits, and the Colts have been better than any franchise at developing offensive linemen. After moving on from Braden Smith, Rucci joins a competition."
The middle part of that is key. While the Colts have not had much elite success recently and have instead been the very definition of mediocre, the offensive line has remained great. That is the case even while some of the parts have changed. After all, Tanor Bortolini stepped in at center, and Matt Goncalves at right guard, in 2025, and the O-line was just as good as in 2024.
Rucci is going to one of the better franchises for his personal development. What he lacks in strength can be remedied in an NFL weight training program, and his lack of agility can be coached up with better technique that Indianapolis has proven they know how to do well.
Like any undrafted free agent, Nolan Rucci will need to show he deserves a roster spot immediately. If he can make it through training camp, and obviously, Edwards of CBS believes he has a good chance to do so, then there is no reason to think that Rucci cannot make a positive impact in the regular season should he be tasked with doing so.
At Penn State, Rucci was almost solely a right tackle, so he already knows the position. He gave up just one sack in each of the past two seasons and was arguably better at a run-blocker. He might not be Week 1 ready, of course, but anyone discounting that Rucci could one day play quality reps for the Indianapolis Colts is likely wrong.
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