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Matt Goncalves is heading to Indianapolis.
The Colts selected the towering 6-foot-6, 327-pound offensive lineman from Long Island with the 79th overall pick in Round 3 of the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday.
Much-needed reinforcements to protect rising star quarterback Anthony Richardson whose rookie season last year was cut short due to injury.
“They won’t regret picking me, I promise you,” said Goncalves following being picked.
He was the No. 12 ranked offensive tackle in this year’s draft, according to ESPN.
“The Colts drafted the best available tackle on my board and a player that can play both the right and left side,” wrote ESPN.com NFL draft analyst Steve Muench. “He improves their depth which is important considering Braden Smith missed seven games last season. Goncalves could also play guard.”
The Manorville native spent five seasons with the University of Pittsburgh, serving as an anchor of the Panthers’ offensive line for much of the last four seasons. He was a team captain this fall, but a leg injury forced him to miss all but the first three games of the season.
He lettered four seasons on the basketball team at Eastport-South Manor.
Coming out of high school, Goncalves was the consensus No. 1 offensive line prospect in the state, according to the scouting services.
He’s the second Long Islander in the last two years to be selected in the third round; the first was Lindenhurst’s Jeremy Ruckert, picked by the Jets in 2022.
Top: Pittsburgh’s Matt Goncalves plays during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022, in Kalamazoo, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)
