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According to The Athletic’s Zak Keefer, the Indianapolis Colts are close to adding Miami Dolphins free agent offensive tackle Julie’n Davenport in the coming days:
Last night's signing of OT Sam Tevi isn't the Colts' only move at the position of late.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) March 23, 2021
Look for them to add free agent tackle Julién Davenport in the coming days. Most recently with Miami, Davenport can can play both spots and will add some depth at a position of need.
As a former 2017 4th round pick, the 4-year veteran offensive tackle visited the Colts last week, and it sounds as though a deal may have unofficially been struck—as Keefer has been hinting at a ‘mystery offensive tackle’ joining the Colts imminently for a few days now (recently clarified too, outside of Tevi).
Davenport has appeared in 51 career games (28 starts), having played two seasons for the Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins a piece.
He started in 1 game for the Dolphins in 2020, but he made 8 starts just a season prior in 2019 for Miami.
In limited snaps this past season (53 total snaps), per PFF, Davenport received a +71.3 overall grade, which was tied for the 39th best among all offensive tackles—including a +87.6 pass blocking grade (5th best among all tackles).
He received a +56.5 overall grade in 2019 with more extended playing time.
Here’s some snipits of Davenport’s 2019 play from StampedeBlue’s own Zach Hicks:
The Colts worked out OT Julie'n Davenport. Davenport has started in 8 games in 2019 for the Dolphins, allowing 6 sacks, 9 QB Hits, and 16 hurries. pic.twitter.com/IglQZYsKqM
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 18, 2021
Davenport has versatility at both tackle spots—having played 1,577 total snaps at left tackle and 264 total snaps at right tackle in his career respectively.
With the recent reported signing of Sam Tevi—and now unofficially Davenport, the Colts haven’t firmly established the swing-tackle position going forward by any means.
However, the hope is that between both of the newly signed backup offensive tackles, each of whom has prior starting experience, that Indianapolis may have found a reliable and suitable solution for 2021 (as well as overall improved positional depth).