2025 NFL Draft Grades: Indianapolis Colts

Best Pick: Third-round corner Justin Walley was one of my favorite corners in this draft. He played outside at Minnesota, but I think he can be a really good nickel back down the line.

Worst Pick: It's not a player; it's that they waited to take an offensive lineman until the fourth round. They landed Iowa State tackle Jordan Travis with the pick, but I might have gone offensive line in the second.

The Skinny: Tight end Tyler Warren was a nice first pick, giving them something they haven't had since Dallas Clark, which is a player teams have to defend from the tight end spot. Walley will be a steal and I do like second-round edge J.T. Tuimoloau, but offensive line might have been a better choice there. Fifth-round running back D.J. Giddens is a nice player.

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.

The Colts landed one of the most fun players in the draft on Day 1, grabbing the uber-versatile tight end Tyler Warren. I think Warren can be deployed in Shane Steichen's offense, much like how the Eagles utilize Dallas Goedert (while sprinkling in a bit of Taysom Hill—style wildcat designs), with frequent use in the screen game and on underneath plays where his run-after-the-catch talent can really shine. He should be a boon for the development of Anthony Richardson. Indy also added a Day-1 impact player in Ohio State's JT Tuimoloau, a reliable, power-based defensive end who can play on all three downs. Minnesota's Justin Walley adds depth to the cornerbacks group, and I'm intrigued by the team's selection of Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard in the sixth. Leonard needs time to develop, but he's a great athlete who can make things happen with his legs. That gives the team a longer-term backup plan behind Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

Whether it's Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones (or rookie Riley Leonard, for that matter) operating at quarterback for the Colts in 2025, this is a club built around their stable of runners, featuring, of course, star running back Jonathan Taylor. With opponents understandably crowing the line of scrimmage to slow the Colts' running game, adding a playmaking tight end was crucial.

I love how the first round played out for GM Chris Ballard, as Tyler Warren should excel in this role and prove that the Colts stole him at No. 14. I feel that powerful edge rusher JT Tuimoloau (45th overall) and shifty running back DJ Giddens (151st) will also ultimately outperform their draft slots. I was, however, surprised that the Colts didn't add more bodies up front for the offensive line, given the significant free-agent defections.

Here's why: The Colts have been linked to Tyler Warren for what feels like the entire draft cycle. He is a great scheme fit for them and their heavy use of RPOs, and Warren gives the Colts yet another pass-catching option for whoever is throwing them the football. The Colts selected Justin Walley way earlier than expected, but they needed to continue to add to their cornerback room. I was hoping the Colts might go offensive line early, but Jalen Travis is another traits-heavy pick along the O-line, adding an interesting depth piece there. DJ Giddens is a productive runner with good vision who can be a great No. 2 option behind Jonathan Taylor. And Riley Leonard is an intriguing developmental pick on Day 3, with his run-first style fitting perfectly in a QB room that has Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones in it.

Most interesting pick: JT Tuimoloau, Edge, Ohio State

The Colts have invested in traits-heavy defensive linemen in the past, but instead went with the rugged Tuimoloau in the second round. And I really like this fit. He's a strong edge defender who can set a firm edge against the run, and has the potential of a strong secondary pass rusher who can push the pocket. His style complements Laiatu Latu and the other Colts defenders well.

First-round TE Tyler Warren fell into their lap at No. 14 — and could be ideal for a team that ought to be running the ball while providing help to its muddled quarterback situation ... which has a new ingredient in sixth-rounder Riley Leonard, most recently of Notre Dame. Second-round DE JT Tuimoloau arrives at the intersection of value and need.

The Colts had to be thrilled in the first round when Warren fell to them at No. 14. Coming out of Penn State, he gives Indianapolis someone who caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards last season, and slots in as an immediate weapon alongside receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. In the second round, Tuimoloau is a nice value as well, as some thought he was a first-round talent entering the 2024 campaign. He should get plenty of snaps opposite last year's first-rounder in Laiatu Latu.

The Colts' draft was full of fun players. Tyler Warren can play all over the offense, D.J. Giddens will be a very fun complement to Jonathan Taylor, and getting Tim Smith in the sixth round was good value. Overall, a very solid draft for Indianapolis.