INDIANAPOLIS – We are less than two weeks away from the 2025 NFL Draft.
Like last year, the Colts head into this year’s draft with their normal 7-pick allotment, slotting into the middle of every round.
Let’s do our annual positional mock draft:
1. Round 1-14: Tight End
At some point, the Colts need to invest a major resource into direct help for Anthony Richardson. And the team’s overall need at tight end matches first-round importance, after a year in which the Colts had arguably the worst tight end group in the entire NFL. Taking a tight end in Round 1 isn’t a normal practice, but the 2025 Colts are in an unusual position where it makes ample sense.
2. Round 2-45: Defensive Line
Source:Getty
You could start to talk yourself into a few positions here. But I’ll go with the defensive line, for present and future needs. The Colts lost more than 1,000 snaps from their defensive line last year. Their two best defensive linemen are north of 30 years old (DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart) and Laiatu Latu is the only defensive end under contract past 2025. I could be talked into a few different types of defensive linemen, but a vast rotating group needs another high-level resource into the room;
3. Round 3-80: Linebacker
Source:Getty
On paper, the Colts have an open starting job next to Zaire Franklin. And some could say they have a third linebacker job open, too, with Grant Stuard off in Detroit. Jaylon Carlies, a 5th round pick from last year will certainly factor into an increased role. Chris Ballard has drafted absurdly well at linebacker. It’s time for another mid-round hit there.
4. Round 4-117: Guard
Source:Getty
Like last year, the Colts would be wise to use a late Day 2/early Day 3 pick on the offensive line, specifically guard. The Colts have a fairly wide-open starting job at right guard. Internally, the Colts like the mid-round draft depth in 2025 along the offensive line. So, this need should meet that match.
5. Round 5-151: Running Back
Source:Getty
It’s time for the Colts to head back to the draft for a running back. The thought here is more to improve the depth behind Jonathan Taylor, mainly in the receiving department. But the Taylor career carry mark is staring to climb to a number some get nervous about when projecting if such elite production will sustain. Given that, more running back insurance also checks as a smart draft focus.
6. Round 6-189: Quarterback
Source:Getty
In the last dozen drafts, we’ve only seen two Day 3 quarterbacks taken by the Colts (Jacob Eason and Sam Ehlinger). The Colts should throw a dart back there as they retool their quarterback depth chart. The position means too much not to spend almost annual draft capital on it. And the Colts have an opening with that 3rd QB job, with Sam Ehlinger now in Denver.
7. Round 7-232: Safety
Source:Getty
To no surprise, I could go several different directions here. How about another trench player? Double dip at tight end? But I’ll go to the secondary, where depth questions definitely exist. I’d argue safety, compared to cornerback, has more of the depth concerns.
