Undrafted NFL Rookie Compared to 'Tough as Nails' Unsung Hero

Undrafted rookie Dalton Tucker has officially achieved his childhood dream of making it to the NFL after making the final roster of the Indianapolis Colts for the upcoming season.

Despite not hearing his name called during the draft, Tucker's relentless work ethic earned him a spot. Standing at 6-foot-6 and 307 pounds, he has the size and physicality that could bode well for him as one of the Colts' guards.

While he will probably get limited minutes playing behind Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, Will Fries and Danny Pinter, Tucker's energy will be a welcome addition to the Colts.

Kelly spoke highly of Tucker, who played at Marshall in college, comparing him to a well-loved former Colts guard.

“(He) kind of reminds me a little bit of Matt Slauson,” Kelly said in a report from IndyStar's Joel Erickson . “Probably a little more talented. I love Slau to death, but he was in Year 10 by the time we got to him.

"Slauson also broke his neck and sternum in a game and kept playing, so he was tough as nails, too.”

Slauson was widely considered by Colts fans as an unsung hero of their offensive line during his one-and-done stint with the squad in 2018-19. The 10-year veteran retired after that season.

Tucker's journey to the NFL has been anything but easy, especially coming from Lexington, which he described as “small-town Kentucky." But through his determination and self-belief, he beat the odds.

Like Slauson, Tucker could carve out a role with the Colts and help them advance to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2009.

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