The Indianapolis Colts are almost on the clock with the 14th overall pick in this Thursday evening’s first round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
While the Colts have addressed a number of needs in free agency, namely at safety, cornerback, and quarterback, there remain a number of potential roster holes.
Here’s the breakdown:
OFFENSE
Quarterback
Starter: Anthony Richardson
Backup: Daniel Jones
Reserve: Jason Bean (*Also listed at WR)
This is more of a 1A and 1B QB competition currently between Richardson and Jones, but with the former still being the incumbent and who the Colts have to be hoping ultimately wins the job outright—and he gets the starting nod,
at least for now
. The Colts may look to find an upgrade to replace the departed Sam Ehlinger as their QB3 in the later rounds.
Running Back
Starter: Jonathan Taylor
Backups: Khalil Herbert, Tyler Goodson
Reserves: Salvon Ahmed
This remains star workhorse Jonathan Taylor’s backfield, but the Colts need to bolster their depth behind him, which was an issue after veteran Zack Moss left in free agency. Both Herbert and Goodson seem like serviceable backup 3rd down running back options, but this is a backfield that Indianapolis could withstand to upgrade, particularly regarding its backup between the tackles work.
Wide Receiver:
Starters: Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs
Backups: AD Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould
Reserves: Ajou Ajou, D.J. Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell
While this unit lacks an ‘alpha dog’ WR1, the Colts receiver room has pretty good talent and depth right now, so this doesn’t project to be much of a priority in the NFL Draft. The Colts could take a later round flyer on a ‘size-speed’ type, or special teams gunner, but other than that, not much action is expected here throughout the draft. AD Mitchell’s growth could take this unit to the next level if he displays more focus, consistency, and development.
Tight End:
Starters: Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree
Backups: Will Mallory, Jelani Woods
Reserves: Sean McKeon, Albert Okwuegbunam
Both Alie-Cox and Ogletree are capable in-line blockers, but this Colts positional group desperately lacks a dynamic receiving option. Both Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are candidates to be selected at #14, but regardless, it would be pretty shocking if Indy didn’t take a tight end within the first three rounds of the draft.
Offensive line:
Starters: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Braden Smith
Backups: Wesley French, Atonio Mafi, Dalton Tucker, Blake Freeland
Reserves: Josh Sills, Luke Tenuta, Jack Wilson
With no bona fide internal starting right guard option after the loss of Will Fries in free agency, the Colts are currently projected to have 2nd-year swing-tackle Matt Goncalves start there. Goncalves could presumably hold his own between Bortolini and Smith, but it limits Indy’s top offensive tackle depth. The Colts are expected to select a right guard or their right tackle of the future at some point early on in this year’s NFL Draft.
DEFENSE
Cornerback
Starters: Charvarius Ward, Jaylon Jones, Kenny Moore II
Backups: Samuel Womack III, JuJu Brents, Corey Ballentine
Reservers: David Long Jr., Alex Johnson
With the addition of former All-Pro Charvarius Ward, the Colts have solidified their outside cornerback group and have a pretty sound group collectively right now. Depth could still remain a bit of an issue, but this appears to be a position that doesn’t need to be addressed early on. That being said, if Tyler Warren is off the board at #14, and Michigan’s Will Johnson slides a bit, there’s not a Colts fan who could be upset with such a high value selection.
Safety
Starters: Cam Bynum, Nick Cross
Backups: Daniel Scott, Rodney Thomas II
Reserve: Marcel Dabo
The Colts kicked off free agency with the surprising key signing of Cam Bynum, who’s an instinctive ball hawk for the backend of their secondary. He should pair nicely with Cross, who had a bit of a breakout 2024 campaign during his first year as a full-time starter. The Colts could add a safety as depth behind them, but it feels more like a possible Day 3 pick.
Linebacker
Starters: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi
Backups: Cameron McGrone, Liam Anderson, Austin Ajiake
This is a position that like both starting tight end and right offensive line that the Colts are expected to address early on in this year’s NFL Draft. As a reigning NFL Second-Team All-Pro, Franklin is entrenched in the second level, but it’s a matter of who will be playing next to him. The Colts lost both starter E.J. Speed and key backup Grant Stuard in free agency. Expect the Colts to fill this roster hole within the first 3 rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.
Defensive End
Starters: Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye
Backups: Laiatu Latu, Tyquan Lewis, Isaiah Land
Reserves: Durell Nchami
The Colts are still in the market for potential edge help, as a team can never have enough impact pass rushers—and they could withstand to add another rotational guy into the mix. That being said, they’ve already invested two first rounders into the position within the last five years with Paye and Latu, so this is more of an intermediate need than top priority.
Defensive Tackle
Starters: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart
Backups: Neville Gallimore, Adetomiwa Adebawore
Reserves: Pheldarius Payne
With Buckner and Stewart, the Colts have one of the best veteran defensive tackle duos in the entire league, but both are still getting up there a bit in age. The Colts did add Gallimore as a rotational defensive tackle who caught fire down the stretch with the L.A. Rams last year. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Colts try to find a developmental nose tackle to potentially be the heir apparent to Stewart—or at the very least, limit his snaps a bit.
SPECIALISTS
Placekicker: Spencer Shrader
Punter: Rigoberto Sanchez
Longsnapper: Luke Rhodes
With the Colts surprising release of veteran Matt Gay, the placekicking job looks like Shrader’s to lose. However, the Colts could look to the late rounds to bring in potential training camp and preseason competition for him. Otherwise, it’s par for the course with both Sanchez returning as the punter, and the former Pro Bowler, Rhodes, snapping balls.
