The depth of the 2025 NFL draft class, according to the NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, aligns decently with some positions we could see the Indianapolis Colts want to address.
While fielding questions recently about the upcoming draft, Jeremiah mentioned three position groups that he believes have a lot of depth in this year’s class: tight end, the defensive line, and running back.
Of that group the only real pressing need for the Colts is tight end–a position that must be addressed.
When it comes to the defensive line and running back, adding to those units may not be at the top of the to-do list, but it should be on GM Chris Ballard’s radar.
Along the defensive front, the depth behind Grover Stewart and DeForest Buckner has to improve. Opponents found way too much success when those two weren’t on the field.
In addition to that, Taven Bryan is a free agent, and I would consider Raekwon Davis a potential cut candidate. Both ranked near the bottom last season in pass rush win rate and run stop rate, according to PFF.
The need at defensive end will be determined by whether Dayo Odeyingbo returns and if Samson Ebukam is released.
At running back, improved depth would give the Colts a secondary option to lean on over the course of the season, reducing some of the wear-and-tear on Jonathan Taylor over 17 games. Indianapolis could also benefit from adding a pass-catching presence at that position.
Since these are positions where there is depth, that could impact how the Colts approach the draft, knowing that there will still be quality players available in the middle or even latter rounds.
“If that’s a need for you along the defensive line, running back, tight end, I think you might look at going another position early knowing you can circle back and still get a really talented player, not just in this year, but historically,
like day two guys,” Jeremiah said.
Now, of course, the caveat to all of this is, what if the top tight end in this year’s class, Tyler Warren, is available? Or one of the top defensive tackles?
The strategy obviously changes, but if Warren is taken in the top 10, which we’re starting to see in some mock drafts, the Colts don’t have to feel like they have to make something happen to land a tight end. They can be patient and let the board come to them, which is how every team should go about the draft.
So to put a bow on all of this, outside of Warren being available at pick 14, the strength of this year’s draft class could lead to the Colts addressing the secondary early–and who knows, maybe even linebacker or the offensive line–and then moving on to other needs after that.
“I don’t know if the top 15 of this draft marries up with some of the better top 15s we’ve seen in this decade,” added Jeremiah, “but I do think the day two mix is very similar, so I think there’s quality to be had there.”