Why the Colts traded up to take Pitt OL Matt Goncalves at a position of strength

INDIANAPOLIS — When Chris Ballard called Matt Goncalves to tell the Pittsburgh tackle the Colts had just traded up to take him in the third round of the NFL Draft, Goncalves responded with so much emotion that Ballard couldn’t relay the exact conversation.

All Ballard could say was that it was one of the most fun conversations he’s had in eight drafts of calling prospects to say they’d been drafted to Indianapolis.

A lot of prospects head into draft weekend with an expectation for where they will hear their name call, only to end up falling further than they expected.

Colts news: Colts pick offensive lineman Matt Goncalves in third round of 2024 NFL draft

Goncalves met his goals, and then some. Indianapolis gave up its sixth-round pick, No. 191 to trade up from No. 82 to No. 79 and take the Pittsburgh tackle, a surprising selection to some.

“The expectations were to go third to fourth round,” Goncalves said. “I’m very happy with where I landed. … It was kind of unexpected, the call that I got, but it’s unbelievable. A dream come true.”

Goncalves had some reason to wonder whether he’d hit his projections.

While he’d been a full-time starter at both left and right tackle for Pittsburgh as a junior, Goncalves suffered a significant toe injury three games into his senior season and underwent surgery that cost him the rest of his season, his last chance to prove his abilities to NFL scouts.

Goncalves didn’t need to worry.

Indianapolis was convinced Goncalves was worth the pick.

“He was one of our favorite offensive linemen in the draft,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said. “And that’s including all of them.”

Four tackles had come off the board in the first 14 picks of the third round, including two tackles in the four picks preceding the No. 79 selection.

Indianapolis decided to make sure it landed Goncalves.

“We did not want to lose him,” Ballard said.

The fit is something of a surprise.

Offensive line was not a pressing need for the Colts. Indianapolis returns all five starters from a group that returned to a strength under the direction of Tony Sparano Jr. in 2023, and the team’s top two backups — Blake Freeland at swing tackle and Wesley French on the interior — are in their second and third seasons, respectively.

But Ballard has long believed this was a deep offensive line class.

Goncalves convinced him to pull the trigger early, even though Indianapolis has more pressing needs in the secondary.

“You can never have enough good linemen,” Ballard said. “I think he’ll come in and put some heat on guys. I think guys get better when there’s great competition. We have some really good players up front, but he just adds to the group.”

Most importantly, the Colts believe Goncalves has the versatility to help them at a lot of different positions.

Goncalves has already played both tackle spots, a key trait for a backup tackle on an NFL roster, and although he stands 6-6, the Colts believe he can slide inside if needed. The team’s top backup at guard was veteran Josh Sills last season, and although Danny Pinter is back from a season-ending injury, he’s been best at center in his career.

“He’s got a lot of position flexibility,” Ballard said. “He started at left tackle, started at right tackle, we think he can play guard, we’re not so sure he can’t play center.”

The foot was a problem for a long time.

Goncalves did not return to Pittsburgh during the season, did not play in the Shrine Game due to the injury and told reporters at his pro day that he was at around 85 to 90%, but he believes the toe injury is behind him now.

“With my foot, I’m doing great,” Goncalves said. “I feel 100% right now.”

And he already feels like he fits in Indianapolis.

During the draft process, Goncalves got to know Sparano Jr. well, and he woke up on Friday morning hoping he’d end up picking the Colts hat out of the 32 his family had assembled at the top of the stairs to be ready for his selection.

“I’ve had a lot of conversation with the offensive line coach, how much he loves my game, and how he thinks I can fit in.” Goncalves said. “Those conversations alone gave me some confidence on what teams I’d go to.”

When the call came, Goncalves let his emotions run wild.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Why the Colts traded up to take Pitt OL Matt Goncalves