Colts draft OT Blake Freeland - Round 4, Pick 106

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Some help for the OL

Another player with an incredibly high RAS score.

https://twitter.com/zkeefer/status/1652351380248559619

Blake Freeland backstory:

- Was a HS QB up until his senior year, where he switched to TE/DL
- Bulked up big-time to play OL
- Lots of experience at both tackle spots and feels comfortable at either (played both at Senior Bowl)
- 0 sacks allowed and only 2 penalties in 2022

https://twitter.com/NextGenStats/status/1652351015885365248

Freeland earned the highest athleticism score among offensive tackles in this year's class after an explosive performance at the combine.

Freeland reached 37-inches on his vertical jump, the highest by any OT since 2003.

https://twitter.com/MathBomb/status/1652347003437830144

Blake Freeland was drafted with pick 106 of round 4 in the 2023 draft class.

He scored a 9.83 RAS out of a possible 10.00.

This ranked 23 out of 1294 OT from 1987 to 2023.

[omahacolt]

potentially really good swing tackle and insurance if raimann struggles. don't think he will

heard he didn't do well at rt during senior bowl. great athlete so lets see how he takes to coaching. i like this pick

[Hoopsdoc]

This is where Ballard drives me nuts. This guy tested off the chart’s athletically but is not very strong. He’s too weak to play in the NFL right now.

Ballard will always always ALWAYS value traits over production.

That’s fine most of the time, but it’s like Ballard does it to a fault.

Sometimes, let these guys prove they can play better than they test instead of of just going exclusively on the measurables.

That’s my main beef with Ballard.

[Hoopsdoc]

Hell, Roy Hall was the best wide receiver in the draft based on measurables the year he was drafted.

But he absolutely SUCKED at actually playing football.

You have to give at least SOME weight to what they actually do on the field instead of just ALWAYS relying on the measurables.

/rant over.

[ChaosTheory]

Should've posted this here...


My theory is that Freeland isn't a pick for today. Physically, he's eerily similar to Raimann. Tall, athletic build, not a lot of starts but freak athletes. Raimann was a 9.81, Freeland is a 9.82 (great 10yd, and blew away the OL in vert and broad jumps). So definitely a project.

Interesting part is that I believe Braden Smith has no more guaranteed money after this season (I could be wrong). If Freeland develops like Raimann seems to be doing, we could have nearly mirror images at OT and save a lot of money by parting with Smith in '24 or '25.

For now, he could be serviceable as depth, but still needs to become a player. Pure speculation, but could be a contributing factor in selecting him over an interior guy.

[Butter]

I imagine that is the thought, would be great if it works out.

Looks like if cut him after this season we have 6 mil in dead cap from the signing bonus or 2 years of 3 post june 1 cut.

https://overthecap.com/player/braden-smith/6922

[IndyNorm]

Should've posted this here...


My theory is that Freeland isn't a pick for today. Physically, he's eerily similar to Raimann. Tall, athletic build, not a lot of starts but freak athletes. Raimann was a 9.81, Freeland is a 9.82 (great 10yd, and blew away the OL in vert and broad jumps). So definitely a project.

Interesting part is that I believe Braden Smith has no more guaranteed money after this season (I could be wrong). If Freeland develops like Raimann seems to be doing, we could have nearly mirror images at OT and save a lot of money by parting with Smith in '24 or '25.

For now, he could be serviceable as depth, but still needs to become a player. Pure speculation, but could be a contributing factor in selecting him over an interior guy.

I think Freeland might be more ready than we think. He started 15 games at RT his Freshman and Sophomores years and then all 26 games at LT for BYU these last 2 seasons. And although he wasn't going up against SEC teams every week he's seen some good competition as BYU plays about half their schedule against power 5 teams.

I'm sure the plan is to have him as the swing OT, which the scout's quote below backs up, and as you mention possibly have him take over a starting spot in year 2 or 3.

Chris McGaha, area scout: “Swing tackle. That’s what kind of makes him intriguing. Play two spots for you. He’s done it in college, too. Played right tackle for two years, and then played left tackle the last two years. … We feel good about the fact that the guy can play multiple spots and have versatility for you, and maybe get you out of a pinch.”

[Oldcolt]

Smith was playing at all pro level a couple of years ago. He probably was our best lineman last year (not saying much). Get him back to where he was and keep paying the dude if he can get there.

[TheMugwump]

I didn't follow TC or preseason much with the Orioles playing well, but out of curiosity, anyone know how close Freeland is to stepping up and playing for Smith?