Could be better, could be worse…
According to ESPN longtime NFL Draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. (subscription), the Indianapolis Colts earned a ‘B’ grade from their 2025 draft class—which was highlighted by first round pick and one of this year’s top tight ends Tyler Warren:
Indianapolis Colts: B
Top needs entering the draft: Tight end, guard, center and linebacker
The Colts have to figure out if Anthony Richardson (or even Daniel Jones) is their true franchise quarterback this season. But it’s really hard to do that if the quarterback’s supporting cast isn’t up to snuff.
Step 1 is getting playmakers. Tight end Tyler Warren will move all over this offense and dominate no matter where offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter puts him. Penn State used him as a traditional in-line tight end, an H-back, a fullback, out of the slot and lined up out wide. The Colts’ tight end room, led by Kylen Granson, managed 39 catches (last) for 467 yards (second last) and two TDs (tied for second last) in 2024. But drafting Warren should change everything there. He had 700 receiving yards after the catch last season.
Suddenly, Richardson has a reliable outlet who can haul in anything and stretch the seams, and Indy didn’t have to move up to get my No. 7 prospect. It was really the best-case scenario for GM Chris Ballard on Thursday.
Step 2 is addressing the protection. Remember, the Colts lost Will Fries and Ryan Kelly in free agency. They were 25th in pass block win rate last season (56.4%), and Richardson was one of the worst QBs in the NFL when pressured (20.2 QBR, 24th in the league). I think they fell a little short here. They waited until Day 3 and reached a bit even at that point in the draft, taking offensive tackle Jalen Travis at No. 127. I would have loved guard Marcus Mbow in that spot.
Two more picks to call out. JT Tuimoloau had 12 sacks last season, and the Colts ranked 31st in the NFL with a 26.2% pressure rate in 2024. He has a lot of upside as a second-rounder. And running back DJ Giddens will be a good backup to Jonathan Taylor. Giddens broke 1,200 rushing yards in each of the past two seasons.
For what it’s worth, when asked by a close friend what I ranked the Colts’ recent draft class, I gave a slightly better ‘B+’. After having Warren fall into their laps in Round 1, the Colts could’ve drafted all kickers from there on out, and I might’ve still been happy.
Ok, maybe not, but it was going to be hard to ruin that early momentum.
Still, I really liked the selections of Warren, versatile defensive end JT Tuimoloau, running back D.J. Giddens, and special teams ace LB Hunter Wohler, and we’ll see about the rest.
Kiper Jr. is right though that the Colts didn’t address their other two big roster holes—along with tight end, namely at linebacker and right guard.
Under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo—and just how the game is currently being played right now, the Colts project to use more two linebackers in their base defense and go with more of a nickel look, which explains the surprising Justin Walley pick in Round 3.
Still, it puts a lot of pressure on 2nd-year linebacker Jaylon Carlies, who’s still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, because outside of him, the cupboard is pretty barren among capable first-team linebacker options for their 2nd linebacker spot.
Meanwhile, at right guard, the Colts could certainly slide top swing-tackle Matt Goncalves, another 2nd-year pro, into that spot. While Goncalves could likely hold his own there, it weakens the team’s overall offensive tackle depth, leaving just 3rd-year pro Blake Freeland and rookie 4th round pick Jalen Travis. Veteran Braden Smith has suffered from availability issues the past few seasons—partially because of lingering injuries.
An NFL franchise can’t draft purely on positional need because you’ll miss out on better players. That being said, it seems like every offseason, longtime Colts’ general manager Chris Ballard has left one or two positions up to an internal competition—without any sort of proven veteran depth as insurance.
It’s worked in some cases regarding Nick Cross (safety) and Will Fries (right guard) recently, but it’s also backfired when considering the likes of Matt Pryor (left tackle), Danny Pinter (right guard), etc. It seems like this offseason it’s at linebacker and right guard right now.
To be fair, the Colts could still sign a veteran right guard or linebacker into the mix to bolster the competition and for depth purposes. However, we may not see it at all either.
From that standpoint, it remains a solid, if unspectacular ‘B’ grade by Kiper Jr.
Reminding everyone, “who in the hell is Mel Kiper anyway?”
