10 Colts Names To Watch For 2025 NFL Draft - Page 4
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INDIANAPOLIS – Draft week is here.
The Colts currently hold 7 picks in the 2025 Draft.
Our focus here will shift on a handful of positions that the Colts need to give attention, seeking out prospects that should have the team’s attention, at different levels of the draft.
Here are 10 names to watch:
1. RB-Brashard Smith (SMU)
For me, the Colts need to look at adding a running back with a receiving background. That’s where Smith comes into play. Initially a wide receiver at Miami, Smith transferred to SMU and played running back for the playoff bound Mustangs last season. Smith has a history of explosive playmaking and can also help you out in the return game. Given the Colts need at running back, Smith’s specific skillset in the pass catching department has to be attractive.
2. RB-Bhayshul Tuten (Virginia Tech)
Electricity is the name of the game with Tuten, who had a notable role in the passing game and as a return man. What Tuten might lack as a traditional first/second down runner, he showed ability in college as a change of pace guy, impacting the game in other areas. And that’s what should peek the Colts interest. Ball security issues can’t be ignored with Tuten, and will definitely need to be a focus as that will contribute to him being taken more in the middle rounds of the draft.
3. TE-Mason Taylor (LSU)
What if the Colts elect to not go with a tight end at No. 14 overall. To many, Taylor is the 3rd tight end in this class and has rich NFL blood as the son of 6-time Pro Bowler Jason Taylor. When you hear the word ‘safe’ it can often be a negative stereotype defining a low ceiling. But for me, it’s more of a reliable and dependable compliment to what Taylor showed at LSU. Blocking is not a weakness for Taylor so that has to be enticing to NFL teams, too. Of course, some might shy away from the lack of truly eye-popping receiving numbers. But the Colts have lacked steadiness at tight end and Taylor served that type of role for LSU.
4. TE-Oronde Gadsen II (Syracuse)
Looking a little further into a the tight end draft class, Gadsen II was a versatile tight end in Syracuse’s offense. Gadsen II has a wide receiver background and you see that in his strength as a pass catcher from the tight end position. The catch radius is impressive. And this attribute is the one that fits the Colts weakness more than the blocking component. Selecting Gadsen II wouldn’t happen in the early rounds, but he would bring a very specific skill to a Colts tight end position that needs desperate help in the receiving department.
5. OL-Donovan Jackson (Ohio State)
Jackson is one of the more debated prospects in this draft. The Colts first have a need at guard, so 31 starts at left guard is a good place to start for Jackson. He was also needed at left tackle this past season, starting 9 games there for the eventual national champions. The Ohio State has lauded Jackson for his intelligence and leadership. A lot of boxes are checked here in being attractive to the Colts which could certainly use a swing tackle/guard, with a heavy interior background.
6. OL-Jonah Savaiinaea (Arizona)
To some, Savaiinaea has more of a body type at guard, although he played a lot of tackle in college. Savaiinaea has an impressive multi-positional resume with 16 starts at right tackle, 15 at right guard and 5 at left tackle. The 31 total starts at RG and RT has to be intriguing to the Colts, given the present questions at right guard and the long term questions at right tackle (Matt Goncalves?). At 324 pounds, Savaiinaea can move very well for a big man, so you know that catches the Colts athletic traits-y eye.
7. DL-Ty Hamilton (Ohio State)
I think you could talk yourself into multiple different defensive line answers for the Colts come draft time. At 299 pounds, Hamilton is mostly an interior guy. On a roster loaded with NFL talent, Hamilton as a staff favorite in his 5 years playing for the Buckeyes. Remember, Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner are both north of 30 years old, so turning the page along the defensive line interior can’t be overlooked. Hamilton won’t be any early defensive lineman to come off the board, but should get some thought as the draft moves along.
8. DE-James Pearce Jr. (Tennessee)
One of the more polarizing prospects in this class, Pearce Jr. is an athletic freak off the edge with a 4.47 40-yard dash at 6-5 and 247 pounds. While Pearce Jr. led the SEC in sacks during the 2023 campaign, there are off the field questions about Pearce Jr about his football commitment and he was oft penalized in his final seasons at Tennessee. Still though, he brings some notable juice as an edge pass rusher, and produced 17.5 sacks in his final two seasons in the SEC.
9. LB-Kain Medrano (UCLA)
Linebacker is a definite need for the Colts and Chris Ballard has an incredible drafting history at this position. Medrano can run (4.46 in the 40-yard dash) at 227 pounds. In today’s ever-changing NFL, a 227-pound linebacker who is more of a coverage linebacker should fit what the Colts are looking for. Medrano also has a strong collegiate history on special teams, which is enticing after Grant Stuard moved on to Detroit.
10. LB-Jack Kiser (Notre Dame)
Don’t be fooled, Kiser is more than just a great local story at a position of need. Kiser set a school record in playing 69 career games at Notre Dame, checking the captain and Senior Bowl boxes as well. An instinctually sound linebacker, Kiser also brings a strong special teams background which will be key for his expected Day 3 selection. While Kiser is on the older side of draft prospects, he should round out a linebacker depth chart, while serving a 4th down role for several seasons.
