Stampede Blue
What are the Colts’ glaring roster deficiencies headed into the 2025 NFL Draft on Thursday evening?
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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...
