NFL.com lists Colts’ ‘five biggest roster needs’ before 2025 NFL Draft

The Colts still have some work to do as it relates to filling some starting spots and replenishing their depth collectively. Could it come through this week’s NFL Draft?

According to NFL.com’s Dan Parr, the Indianapolis Colts’ five biggest roster needs ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft remain as follows:

14. Indianapolis Colts

8-9 · .457

Biggest needs: TE, OL, LB, Edge, RB

Protecting the QB — whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones — and giving him a safety valve in the form of a talented young tight end should be top of mind for GM Chris Ballard. The Colts need a new starting right guard and their starters at both offensive tackle spots are a year away from hitting free agency.

It appears those selections are largely on point.

Starting receiving tight end, right guard, and linebacker remain the Colts’ biggest immediate needs, as there’s not necessarily a bona fide internal option at any of those spots currently—meaning an early round rookie could be the projected starter right away.

With veteran Braden Smith entering a contract year, the Colts could also look to draft their starting right tackle ‘bookend of the future’ a year early to anticipate his possible departure. Something that plagued them when former blindside anchor Anthony Castonzo retired, and then suddenly being faced with the lack of a capable in-house replacement for a few years.

What is the most concerning is edge still being listed here. The Colts have spent a number of high draft capital in the position including two former first rounders (Kwity Paye and Laiatu Latu) and a 2nd rounder (the departed Dayo Odenyingbo) within the last five years.

I understand that you can never have enough pass rushers as a general premise, but at a certain point, the Colts have to turn these singles into doubles or triples at the position—while finding some rotational impact pass rushers later on in the draft.

Otherwise, I might pick cornerback as a bigger need than backup running back, given that the limited role behind Jonathan Taylor is more niche specific—as a third down receiving back type and potential change-of-pace option.

The Colts presently have a pretty sound outside trio with Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, and Samuel Womack III, as well as with veteran Kenny Moore II manning the slot. However, it’s still a position that when injuries have arisen, they’ve tended to come all at once for the Colts—meaning finding some additional reliable depth could prove to be prudent.

That being said, even with the signing of veteran free agent Khalil Herbert, finding another capable running back option behind Taylor should still be in the mix.