Summarize and humanize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs in EnglishNext up in our Colts’ 2025 NFL draft prospect preview, let’s take a closer look at Alabama IOL Tyler Booker.It’s NFL draft month. So between now and when the first round begins, we will be highlighting prospects who could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.Next up is Alabama interior offensive lineman Tyler Booker.MeasureablesHeight: 6-045Weight: 321Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 3.68Of note here, GM Chris Ballard has often drafted one of the more athletic draft classes each year. So this selection from an athleticism standpoint, particularly in Round 1, would be an outlier in that regard.Stats to knowBooker has played over 2,000 career snaps on offense in three collegiate seasons. Most of his time has come at left guard. During that span, Booker never allowed more than 15 pressures in a season and just two total sacks.In this most recent season specifically, Booker was PFF’s ninth-highest rated pass-blocker among all guards. For what it’s worth, he often graded out better in pass protection than as a run-blocker. Out of 126 eligible guards in 2024, Booker ranked 77th in run-blocking grade.Perhaps the Colts’ starting five on the offensive line is already on the roster if Matt Goncalves slides over from tackle to guard. However, that shouldn’t be assumed either.While Ballard mentioned after the 2024 NFL draft that he believed Goncalves could play the guard position, he spent his career at Pitt and his first season in the NFL at tackle. The skill set to play guard may be there, but the position change could very well come with a learning curve.Success for the Colts offense, regardless of who the quarterback is, starts with the play of the offensive line unit and providing a run game to lean on and time in the pocket. Without that, moving the ball consistently won’t come easily.This is a position group that the Colts have to get right, so assumptions shouldn’t be made and no stone should be left unturned. The prudent move would be to have a competition for that starting right guard role.“We’re working through that right now, (general manager Chris Ballard) and his staff, just looking at what’s out there, obviously, through free agency, possibly the draft,” Shane Steichen said via the Indy Star. “But obviously, offensive line’s a big part of it. You’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback. You’ve got to be able to run the ball really well.”NFL draft profileFor more on Booker, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report:”Two-year starter and team captain with elite physical traits. Booker is a downhill run blocker with average explosiveness into first contact, but he utilizes his size and power to overtake defenders in the second phase of the block. He can play too far out over his toes but that’s correctable. Booker is an average athlete in protection but makes up for it with technique and football intelligence to defend against twists. He’s tough, smart and a top leader. The traits, football character and play strength will make him a good starter for a downhill, power-based attack.”Highlights
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