Report: Colts had pre-draft visit with Sacramento State OG Jackson Slater

The Colts hosted one of the draft’s potential small school sleepers, Sacramento State’s Jackson Slater, who really shined during this year’s Senior Bowl.

According to KPRC2’s Aaron Wilson, the Indianapolis Colts are among the teams who have recently hosted Sacramento State All-American offensive guard Jackson Slater ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft:

The 6’3,” 311 pound senior guard (with 32” arms) started 9 games at left guard before missing the end of the season because of an injury—still earning First-Team All-American and First-Team All-Big Sky honors in the process.

Per PFF, he earned a +76.4 overall grade, which was the 4th highest grade among all players at his position in FCS football during 2024. In 379 total pass blocking snaps, Slater didn’t allow a single sack or any QB hits, surrendering just 3 total QB hurries.

PFF labeled him one of the ‘late-round gems’ of this year’s draft class:

G Jackson Slater, Sacramento State

Slater didn’t allow a sack or a QB hit during the 2024 season and only three hurries on his 379 pass-blocking snaps. Slater had an impressive 88.2 pass-blocking grade, and his 99.6 pass-blocking efficiency mark ranked No. 4 among all FCS guards in 2024. Slater helped himself during Senior Bowl week due to both his measurements and how he performed on the field. He measured 6-foot-2 5/8 and 320 pounds with 33-inch arms. Slater registered three positively graded blocks and two dominant wins in his pass rush one-on-ones during Senior Bowl practices and a 78.4 pass-blocking grade in the game.

Slater participated in this year’s Senior Bowl—where he stood out as a potential sleeper:

Here’s his NFL.com draft profile:

Overview

Slater plays with good core strength and firmness into contact. He’s well-schooled but might lack the desired foot quickness to keep defenders in front of him once he makes the jump in competition. Slater is smooth in his sets and utilizes independent hands but will have trouble recovering once he’s behind. Proving he has position flexibility at guard and center will help, but Slater appears to have a limited ceiling.

Following the loss of Will Fries in free agency, the Colts obviously have a glaring need at starting right guard, where 2nd-year swing-tackle Matt Goncalves is the current frontrunner.

While Goncalves could probably hold the position down for 2024, he looked the most natural at right tackle as a rookie—and his greatest value may be remaining at swing-tackle again for at least the 2025 campaign (especially with starting right tackle Braden Smith’s availability concerns).

Slater could certainly add some competition for the starting right guard position and if nothing else, would bring much needed competition and interior depth to the Colts o-line.