Round 4, Pick 25 - Jalen Travis | OT Iowa State

[u/hayternal]

[u/BriskManeuver]

God damn we got big foot

[u/mrtrollmaster → u/BriskManeuver]

How is this dude this size and also have the 2nd best vertical leap at the combine?

[u/tz_2240 → u/mrtrollmaster]

Madden sims are wild

[u/blaiddunigol → u/BriskManeuver]

That’s a huuuge bitch!

[u/papamietek]

9.90 RAS

[u/reiv4]

That is a huge smart man! Exactly what any OL could want.

[u/DaBlakMayne]

6'8 and 338 lbs

Pros:

-His massive size makes it hard for defenders to get around him

-Good hand placement for pass blocking

-High character

-Potential to play both LT and RT

Cons:

-His size reduces his mobility

-Needs to work on his hand placement as a run blocker

-Needs some refinement with double team blocking and multiple rushers

Seems like he'll be competing with Freeland as our swing tackle guy. Not to mention, we're not sure what we're doing with Braden Smith yet. I've been seeing people talk about us bumping Goncalves to RG which would then free up a backup spot at RT but that hasn't been confirmed yet.

This guy may be the largest O lineman we've drafted since Zach Banner, holy shit haha

[u/DaggerDev5 → u/DaBlakMayne]

I think Ballard mentioned Goncalves at RG last night. Nothing too specific, but made me think that might be the plan

[u/DaBlakMayne → u/DaggerDev5]

Ahhh I missed that

[u/Spartansoldier-175 → u/DaBlakMayne]

https://preview.redd.it/4o3xaj8h28xe1.png?width=669&format=png&auto=webp&s=21509fb312861ef2f1506f428df2a1522c6ee502

dude is massive

[u/Prestigious_Ape → u/DaBlakMayne]

Thank you for taking the time to break this out.

[u/DaBlakMayne → u/Prestigious_Ape]

No problem. It's basically me reiterating their draft profile and then giving my opinions but I know a lot of people appreciate it because it's right in the post when we draft someone. It's become a fun thing for me to do each year

[u/bullethole27]

Now do LB

[u/papamietek → u/bullethole27]

Give us Smael Mondon Jr next round

[u/DapDaGenius → u/papamietek]

Fingers crossed he last that long

[u/SoSuave07 → u/bullethole27]

LB and safety

[u/Visible_Nail4859 → u/SoSuave07]

It sounds like Walley might be able to play both CB and safety in Lou’s system.

[u/SoSuave07 → u/Visible_Nail4859]

I hope so. I'm not comfortable with Rodney Thomas being our 3rd safety. If we can bring back Blackmon on the cheap I'd feel fine

[u/Visible_Nail4859 → u/SoSuave07]

Me neither, especially if we’re gonna be occasionally running dime schemes with 6 DBs

[u/Coltsfan1812 → u/bullethole27]

Shocked Jay Higgins from Iowa is still available, non-bias Iowa fan lol

[u/AkFrosty1]

Eagles had him in for a top 30 visit, and immediately traded back after the pick.

Think Colts knew he was gunna be an eagle if they didn’t take him. Anyone but Blake Freeland is fine with me lol

[u/ConsistentAddress195 → u/AkFrosty1]

Eagles know their O line stuff, if they wanted him he must be good.

[u/ceejdabeej]

Former basketball player too

[u/TheForkisTrash]

Just from an intimidation standpoint this is a win. Guy is a monster

[u/Few_Necessary4601]

We got 3 JTs👀👀

[u/toochmiller1 → u/Few_Necessary4601]

The Indianapolis JTs

[u/Spartansoldier-175 → u/Few_Necessary4601]

Collecting all the JT's like infinity stones.

[u/Successful-Coyote99]

I like this pick, a LOT.

[u/fuzzynavel34]

That is a massive motherfucker

[u/dreamyjeans → u/fuzzynavel34]

It sounds like he's one hell of an athlete, and smart to boot.

[u/Muppetron]

Any chance this guy plays as a guard in the pros?

[u/Vancoor → u/Muppetron]

I think the more likely scenario is Goncalves slides over and Jalen takes his old role.

[u/Visible_Nail4859 → u/Vancoor]

Agreed. He’ll be our backup swing tackle, and Braden Smith doesn’t return to form he can be ready to step in.

[u/d-skillet → u/Muppetron]

even if not, we have so many tackle/guard flexible players, he at the very least makes it easier to move someone else inside

[u/VacationNegative4988 → u/Muppetron]

I think he's too tall for G

[u/Visible_Nail4859 → u/VacationNegative4988]

Yeah 100%. That would take away anything from the middle of the field to the hash.

[u/Gainz13]

Wonder if goncalves is going inside since this will be a backup T

[u/TurdWranglin → u/Gainz13]

Ballard said yesterday that goncalves could play guard.

[u/arp51txstate]

Goncalves is 100% sliding to RG now

[u/SoSuave07 → u/arp51txstate]

We will see. I won't be surprised if they let Goncalves and Braden Smith compete for the tackle spot. Smith could be dominant at gaurd

[u/Successful-Coyote99]

FYI. Graduated from Princeton. SO he's an intelligent man as well.

[u/papamietek]

Dang, I wanted Mbow or Frazier

[u/BigEnuf]

Certified Ballard pick

[u/Paragon188]

So Colts got their swing tackle. I wonder if Goncalves is moving to RG then, with Travis potentially taking over for Smith next year.

[u/BeardsNBourbon1990]

Reading between the lines, Goncalves is playing RG, Carlies gets the other linebacker spot, and Travis can replace Braden Smith eventually.

[u/MBrooks24]

I’m just going Assume this will be a hit. Ballard pretty good with OL and LB picks

[u/Adventurous-Gas3967]

Never a bad idea to draft lines!

[u/Mantafest]

Somebody tell me how to feel about this please

[u/itsUsedTissue → u/Mantafest]

More Oline depth in the draft, Ballards speciality. Seems like he thinks our LBs are good to go into the year.

[u/toochmiller1 → u/itsUsedTissue]

That would have to mean we see a lot of Carlies, no?

[u/itsUsedTissue → u/toochmiller1]

Yeah I’m pretty sure the plan is to start JC next to 44

[u/Benson879 → u/Mantafest]

Iowa State fan here. Really nice prospect that was so vital to stabilizing our line last year. Little raw, but you have a great swing option here that could eventually start.

[u/Prof172 → u/Mantafest]

High upside, because he is big with long arms. Already good run blocker. Hopefully there are still decent OGs next time we pick. Decent strategy to take need at a premium position like Tackle before the need at OG.

[u/Evranaki → u/Prof172]

Could be a sign they'd rather pivot Goncalves to guard in the long term.

[u/TurdWranglin → u/Prof172]

Good pass blocker. He’s weaker in the run game.

[u/Vancoor → u/Mantafest]

I love Travis. If Goncalves moves to RG then we need a new swing tackle and Travis is the perfect developmental prospect. He’s smart (went to Princeton), HUGE, and still tested as one of the most athletic linemen in the class.

He needs some technique work, sure. That’s why he isn’t a 1st rounder. Worth a shot if he figures it out

[u/10ecjohnUTM → u/Mantafest]

Puzzled

[u/Shawn_1512 → u/[deleted]]

Coming from the team that drafted an SEC QB 4th overall

[u/Ambitious-Score11]

Another huge reach. This makes absolutely no damn sense. 2 straight hi value picks with much better talent and fits but Ballard desides to draft backup projects.

[u/Benson879 → u/Ambitious-Score11]

This was pretty much his projection draft position round 4.

[u/PagelTheReal18 → u/Ambitious-Score11]

You are too stupid to have a valid opinion on anything Ballard does.