Colts Round 4, Pick 127: Iowa State Offensive Tackle Jalen Travis

INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts had their first trade back in the 2025 Draft in Round 4.

With the 127^th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Colts took Iowa State offensive tackle Jalen Travis in Round Four.

Here are 3 takeaways on Travis:

Gargantuan Offensive Tackle

At 6-8 and 339 pounds, Jalen Travis will be one of the biggest players to ever put on a Colts uniform. Travis’ massive frame included 18 starts at left tackle and 8 at right tackle in his collegiate career. Travis began his collegiate career at Princeton, before playing at Iowa State for his final season (where he played at left tackle). There is some connection with the Colts as Travis’ cousin Ross played tight end for Indianapolis. Given Travis’ frame and college history, this doesn’t look to be a college tackle with guard flexibility. Look for Travis to compete for swing tackle reps, with an eye on Braden Smith’s future in 2026. Travis allowed 1 sack in 475 pass snaps in college (per Pro Football Focus) and participated in the Senior Bowl.

Another Mid-Round Offensive Tackle Choice

There was a good amount of debate around how the Colts should handle offensive tackle this draft. Braden Smith is entering a contract year after his mental illness took him away from the team to end last season. Depending on the usage of Matt Goncalves in 2025, who appears to be the favorite at right guard, the Colts could have that top swing tackle job up for grabs. So expect Travis to compete with Blake Freeland for that “don’t forget about it” type job.

Trade Back

It is not often you see Chris Ballard wait until the middle of Round 4 to execute a draft trade, but that was the case in 2025. The Colts traded back 10 spots with the Rams (going from No. 117 overall to No. 127 overall), while adding No. 190 overall in Round 6. Ballard entered the draft with just 7 picks, which is about 2-3 picks short of the normal number he ends a draft with. So, Ballard acquiring more picks was inevitable in 2025.