Stampede Blue
The Colts clearly have some work to do, but we already knew that from a returning group that longtime GM Chris Ballard said ‘wasn’t close’ last year.
If you’re a glass hall full kind of fan, then it means that there’s only room for improvement for next year’s Indianapolis Colts, who come in at just #23 in PFF’s power rankings before the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off later this week:
23. Indianapolis Colts
Team Needs: TE, EDGE, LB, IOL, S
The Colts added free-agent talent to their secondary in Charvarius Ward and Cam Bynum, but they’ll be counting on Ward (58.2 PFF coverage grade) to return to his 2023 form. Still, Indianapolis’ edge rushing group is subpar, especially with Dayo Odeyingbo no longer in tow.
Indianapolis also lacks a clear starter at inside linebacker next to Zaire Franklin, especially considering Colts linebackers finished 26th in PFF coverage grade in 2024. Maybe most unsettling is the team’s quarterback dilemma, where Anthony Richardson (59.8 PFF passing grade) is losing his grip on the starting reins ahead of Year 3.
This league ranking admittedly appears a bit low, but looking at some of the teams ranked ahead of Indianapolis, who are they actually head-and-shoulders better than right now?
I’d probably take them over the Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants (but hey, they beat the Colts last year!), and Chicago Bears (#13?!); however, it’s not a given.
While the Colts made much needed additions to their secondary with the key veteran signings of both safety Camryn Ward and cornerback Charvarius Ward, there’s still some work to be done—particularly at tight end, right guard, and linebacker, as well as overall roster depth.
However, the success of the 2025 Colts will likely rest on whether they can get enough consistent, plus production from their starting quarterback position, which is shaping up to be a two-man race between the incumbent Anthony Richardson and veteran Daniel Jones.
If they can get enough from their QB1 spot, Indianapolis should at the very least make a serious push for a wild card spot—if not realistically compete for the AFC South title. If not, Colts fans are once again looking at a team hovering around .500 ball and just short of a potential playoff berth, yet again.
