The Colts just missed the postseason last year, finishing 8-9. The Anthony Richardson era still has some question marks, so the Colts brought in Daniel Jones. They are set at RB with Jonathan Taylor and have a bunch of young WRs.
The 2025 NFL draft could go a long ways in helping Indy to their first playoff berth since 2020.
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Overall Colts Draft Grade: C
The Indianapolis Colts entered in need of premium talent on both sides of the ball. Chris Ballard certainly checked off some of the Colts’ needs, but this does feel like an incomplete team without many clear strengths to hang their hat on after ranking 21st in Offense+ and 23rd in Defense+ last season.
Perhaps the pass rush turns into that strength. The Colts picked J.T. Tuimoloau in the second round, giving them a steady edge rusher with three-down upside. Coupled with Samson Ebukam’s return after missing all of 2024 and a potential second-year leap from Laiatu Latu, the Colts could take a leap from last year’s pass rush that ranked 28th in pressure rate.
The pass defense as a whole could be a strength, with third-round cornerback Justin Walley joining a secondary that saw Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum arrive in free agency. Indy ranked 24th in defensive pass success rate last season, but the offseason investment in both the pass rush and coverage should result in improvement there.
The offense has a lot of shiny skill position talent after adding tight end Tyler Warren in the first round. To be fair, the position has been a black hole since Jack Doyle’s retirement, and Warren-to-the-Colts was one of the more predictable pre-draft pairings.
Fifth-round running back D.J. Giddens fell due to off-field concerns, but comes with terrific athleticism and explosiveness to potentially give the Colts a better backup for Jonathan Taylor than they’ve had in recent years. Riley Leonard can’t be dismissed as a developmental quarterback either given the uncertain futures for both Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
The risk is on the offensive line, where the Colts’ highest pick was OT Jalen Travis in the late fourth round. That leaves Indy depending on second-year pros Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves to start full-time at center and right guard, respectively. It’s entirely plausible that either or both are effective, but expecting no drop-off from Ryan Kelly and Will Fries feels like wishful thinking.
Grades for Every Colts Draft Pick
- Round 1, Pick 14
Tyler Warren, TE | Penn State
Grade: A+
In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, you got the sense that the Indianapolis Colts would’ve been willing to trade up for a top-10 tight end talent like Tyler Warren. Instead, Warren fell right into their lap at 14th overall. This pick gets the highest grade possible, as the ideal confluence of need and best player available.
At around 6’5” and 256 pounds, Warren has the requisite size and athleticism, but he distinguished himself at Penn State with his all-encompassing usage versatility, grueling physicality, and “Alpha” mentality, as well as his hyper-elite catching instincts, hand strength, and clutch gene on high-pressure downs.
Warren is the type of TE who gives you value in every phase at every level. He can be schemed RAC targets, work up the seam and in the red zone, have surprisingly efficient route running ability, and get after it as a blocker. Warren will be a staple early for whoever starts at quarterback, just like he was at Penn State in 2024.
- Round 2, Pick 45
JT Tuimoloau, EDGE, Ohio State
Grade: C+
It was expected that perhaps the Colts would target their interior offensive line, an area of significant need entering Day 2. Instead, the Colts spent their first Day 2 selection on an edge defender to complement Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu. Having high-end depth at a premier position group is valuable; Tuimoloau no doubt provides that and more.
At 6’4”, 265 pounds, with nearly 34” arms, Tuimoloau’s power profile is elite, as is his playmaking instinct off the edge. He can rush from 3-point stances or as a stand-up player, and his force output downhill can be overwhelming. He’s a good player who fits Lou Anarumo’s stylistic preferences, but the decision to pass on interior OL could come back to bite Indianapolis.
- Round 3, Pick 80
Justin Walley, CB | Minnesota
Grade: B-
The lack of an “A” grade doesn’t reflect Justin Walley himself. At 5’10”, 190 pounds, Walley is fast, quick, instinctive, and physical, with a high-level playmaking gene. He immediately adds quality depth for the Colts at CB and projects as a potential slot-boundary hybrid over the long term. The lower grade is more of a reflection of what the Colts passed on.
The Colts still desperately need interior offensive line help, and there were several compelling options on the board at this point. With Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, and Kenny Moore II, the Colts didn’t have an immediate need at CB, and now they risk losing opportunities on the blocking front.
- Round 4, Pick 127
Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State
Grade: A
This is a smart pick for the Indianapolis Colts. Braden Smith is nearing the expiration of his contract, and there’s a chance the Colts could be forced to pivot at right tackle. Jalen Travis is as traits-rich as they come, with elite lateral explosiveness, range, and recovery at almost 6’8”, 330 pounds.
Naturally, he needs to be more consistent with his leverage maintenance at his size, but Travis is a great high-upside investment at this point in the draft.
- Round 5, Pick 151
DJ Giddens, RB | Kansas State
Grade: B+ - Round 6, Pick 189
Riley Leonard, QB | Notre Dame
Grade: B+ - Round 6, Pick 190
Tim Smith, DT | Alabama
Grade: B- - Round 7, Pick 232
Hunter Wohler, S | Wisconsin
Grade: A