Colts OT Antonio Garcia suspended 4 games

The backup O-lineman violated the league’s policy on PEDs (performance enhancers)

Antonio Garcia was suspended four games without pay for violating the league’s policy on performance enhancing drugs. The offensive tackle is a former 3^rd round pick of the Patriots in the 2017 NFL draft. Despite his high draft selection, New England parted ways with Garcia in September 2018. Doctors found he had developed blood clots in his lungs. His inability to train or practice led to him losing over forty pounds. After being claimed by the Jets, he remained on their roster until August cuts came. The phone finally rang in October when the Colts signed him to the practice squad.

In 2017, HC Bill Belichick (who is also the General Manager) traded up 11 spots to select him. That reason was more than likely to groom him as Nate Solder’s successor. Solder was eventually replaced by Trent Brown, but it says something that the Patriots were willing to part with a 4th round pick for Garcia. They clearly valued his potential enough to move up and take him at No. 85. His 6’7 300lb. size is exactly what you want in a prototypical offensive tackle. According to Colts Pro Football focus on Twitter, he was ranked 6th out of 323 qualifying OT’s while at Troy: https://twitter.com/PFF_Colts/status/1138183720308027394.

This seems like a curious situation that’s flown under the radar. Putting aside speculation about his health, at the end of the day his quality of life is what’s most important. If Garcia makes the team with five returning starters on the offensive line, he’ll be a nice depth piece. Anthony Castonzo and Braden Smith hold down the left and right tackle spots respectively. He’ll compete with swiss army knife Joe Haeg who can play guard or tackle when needed. The same goes for Le’Raven Clark and J’Marcus Webb would be the other obvious option for backup tackle. We’ll see if Garcia can overcome this slip-up and display the potential that Belichick saw in him.