What do Indianapolis Colts fans need to know about the 2025 NFL scouting combine?
The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.
For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.
In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.
When does the NFL combine start?
Beginning on Sunday, February 23rd, kickers, defensive linemen, and linebackers can begin arriving and each day throughout the week, different position groups will trickle in.
On Monday, the defensive backs and tight ends will arrive. On Tuesday, the running backs, quarterbacks, and receivers arrive, and on Wednesday the offensive linemen.
From Monday all the way through Saturday, team interviews with these various position groups can take place and the prospects will also meet with the media during this timeframe as well.
Colts’ GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are schedule to speak with the media on Tuesday afternoon.
When it comes to the measurements and on-field drills, those begin for the defensive line and linebackers at 3:00 PM ET on Thursday, February 27th.
The defensive backs and tight ends will then go at 3:00 PM ET on Friday. The quarterbacks, running backs, and receivers are at 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, and the offensive line is at 1:00 PM ET on Sunday, which is the final day of the event.
You can watch the on-field events as they take place on NFL Network.
For the full list of combine invitees, click here.
When do the Indianapolis Colts pick in this year’s draft?
The Indianapolis Colts will enter the 2025 NFL draft with seven selections–one in each round. Their first-round pick will be at No. 14 overall.
Where the Colts are picking in Rounds 2-7 will be finalized once the NFL officially awards compensatory selections. According to the Colts team site, last offseason this happened on the Monday before the new league year in mid-March.
The Colts are not projected to receive any compensatory draft picks.
What are the Colts’ biggest positions of need?
As GM Chris Ballard emphasizes adding competition throughout the roster this offseason, there are a lot of position groups that he could end up adding to.
The biggest needs that seem to be on everyone’s radar are tight end, cornerback, and safety.
As Ballard mentioned after the season, the Colts need a greater pass-catching presence at the tight end position. Collectively in 2024, the four tight ends on the Colts’ roster totaled 467 receiving yards. For some context, there were 25 individual tight ends league-wide how had more yards than the Colts entire unit did, according to PFF.
The secondary as a whole has to get better as well. The Colts last season ranked in the bottom third of the NFL in passer rating, yards per pass attempt, pass deflections, and completion rate allowed. With the safety group specifically, given the need for versatility and the heavy usage of disguised coverages, a lot gets put on the plate of that position group in Lou Anarumo’s scheme.
In addition to that, the offensive line group could become a much bigger need for the Colts if Will Fries ends up elsewhere in free agency.
In terms of depth, the linebacker room needs to be added to, with the Colts specifically targeting an added coverage presence at the position. Ballard would also mention that there will be competition for Anthony Richardson at quarterback.
A more reliable backup presence at running back and perhaps a pass catching threat from that position could be valuable. And while Ballard has invested heavily into the defensive line already, the depth behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart has to improve, not to mention that defensive end could be a sneaky need if Dayo Odeyingbo leaves in free agency and Samson Ebukam is released.