Indianapolis Colts Draft Central Michigan OT Bernhard Raimann At No. 77 Overall

The Indianapolis Colts still had serious questions revolving around one of the most important positions in football. Ever since Anthony Castonzo retired after the 2020-21 season, Indianapolis had a gaping hole at left tackle.

After the Eric Fisher experiment failed in disastrous fashion, allowing seven sacks in a single season, Indianapolis moved on to swing tackle Matt Pryor as their potential solution. The Colts re-signed Pryor on a 1-year deal, but was the versatile lineman with little starting experience really going to be protecting quarterback Matt Ryan’s blindside with no competition?

Indianapolis answered that long-awaited question in the third round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Colts stopped the slide of Central Michigan offensive tackle Bernhard Raimann at No. 77 overall, a player who had buzz as a potential first-round selection.

Raimann provides Indianapolis much-needed depth along the offensive line with versatility to play inside and out, but the ceiling is on the table for him to be their long-term answer at left tackle. For a team searching for an answer there since Castonzo, Raimann has all the tools to finally be that remedy for Indianapolis.

Raimann was a tight end in college only a few years ago, undergoing a massive physical transformation during the COVID-19 pandemic. A former tight end, Raimann’s athletic profile was one that immediately stood out to the Colts. After an impressive showing at the NFL Scouting Combine and Central Michigan’s Pro Day, Raimann was a top target for the Colts.

Although Raimann’s shorter arms (32 7/8”) could be a concern to some, remember that Indianapolis also mined a gem with Braden Smith. Originally drafted to be a guard, Smith has become one of the best right tackle in the NFL. For Raimann, this could soon be the path playing on the left side of the offensive line alongside All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson.

Raimann is also new to football, which shows how much untapped potential this prospect truly has even at 24-years-old. Moving to the United States from Austria when he was age-17, Raimann took a liking to football and eventually earned a scholarship to Central Michigan. From there, Raimann’s transformation within the Chippewa’s program was immense. It ended in his senior season where Raimann was graded as one of the best overall pass protectors in the entire 2022 draft class.

During his rookie season, Raimann could push Pryor for the starting left tackle spot. Also, Raimann’s athleticism provides him the versatility to slide inside to guard, potentially pushing Danny Pinter for the currently open right guard starting spot.

Even if the Colts slow-play his development early on, Raimann has the all-around tools to become a long-term answer for Indianapolis along the offensive line. And with Nelson’s mega-money extension upcoming, it was imperative for the Colts to find their blindside protector via the draft.

For a prospect many considered would go in the top 50 picks, Indianapolis securing Raimann at No. 77 overall was one of the biggest steals in the draft. If Raimann finds his footing in Indianapolis, the Colts just answered one of their biggest long-term questions for years to come.