Both Braden Smith and Bernhard Raimann are currently scheduled to be unrestricted free agents in 2026 as well, so offensive tackle is a possibility here. But if the Colts are picking top eight, across-the-board changes could be coming for the Colts including quarterback. What a difference a year made for Klubnik, who took a major step forward in his second season as a starter as he threw for 3,639 yards, 36 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 463 yards and seven scores.

(Programming alert: Klubnik (Clemson) and Nussmeier (LSU) will meet in Week 1 of the college football season on August 30th.)

Indianapolis went tight end in the first round as expected, but it is important to identify pieces to that interior defensive line in the coming years. The hope is that Woods continues on his upward trajectory.

The Colts have recently used their first-round picks on edge rushers Kwity Paye (2021) and Laiatu Latu (2024), so we know they're not afraid to invest draft capital at the position. Paye doesn't have a long-term contract and is currently set to play 2025 on the fifth-year option. Parker had a breakout season in 2024, with 11 sacks, 16.5 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles. He is a versatile player capable of playing from multiple pre-snap alignments and stances, using his length as a run defender and closing speed in the pass rush.

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.