The Indianapolis Colts had a bunch of issues in the second half of the 2025 season, but the offensive line wasn't the worst issue. Health was, and an uptick in competition, but the O-line didn't need to be fixed. That didn't stop ESPN from trying to do so in its recent mock draft.
In the third round, Matt Miller has Indy taking Georgia Tech's Keylan Rutledge, who would then replace right guard Matt Goncalves. The same Goncalves, who was quite good at run-blocking, that allowed 34 total quarterback pressures; he didn't give up more than three in any of the last five games.
He was good enough to keep playing next to center Tanor Bortolini and (likely) right tackle Jalen Travis. If Indy does choose an offensive lineman with its second pick in the draft (the Colts, of course, don't have a first-round pick), that might need to be a swing tackle who can replace Travis should he fail in his first full season as the presumed starter.
ESPN suggests the Indianapolis Colts picking a player it doesn't need in the third round
Miller writes, "You won't find a nastier blocker than Rutledge in this class. He plays with a mean streak in run blocking that has coaches falling in love with his game. He would be a Day 1 starter at right guard over (Goncalves)."
It is great that Rutledge, who is 6'4" and 330 pounds, has a nasty streak. That is often needed for an offensive lineman tasked with not allowing his defender to dominate the line of scrimmage. The Georgia Tech product did struggle a bit at run-blocking before his final season in college, however, so he might not be ready to step in on Day 1.
What the Indianapolis Colts really need to do with their second pick in the draft is take a player at a greater position of need. That could be edge rusher, as the team is lacking quality depth and has to hope that ascending second-year pro JT Tuimoloau can be better than he was as a rookie.
Indy also needs to fill a void at inside linebacker. While the position is devalued in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's system, the players who have those roles for the Colts need to help stop the run and play good pass coverage over the middle of the field.
Indianapolis might also look to take a wide receiver to help fill the vacancy left by the team trading Michael Pittman Jr. That would be a better move than taking an interior offensive lineman, no matter how nasty Keylan Rutledge might be.