The Indianapolis Colts were one of the biggest disappointments of the 2024 season. With an offense that was chaotic at best and a porous defense, they just missed out on the playoffs once again. Now, with GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen under much more scrutiny, they enter the 2025 offseason needing to fill big holes on both sides of the ball. The question is, which ones should be the most important? We ranked their four biggest needs, complete with players who fill that need the best.
NFL Draft 2025 needs for Indianapolis Colts show 4 big weaknesses
These are the positions the Colts need to fill in the NFL Draft.
Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
1. Cornerback
The Colts’ cornerback room is often injured and has really sunk the Colts’ defense. CB Juju Brents was supposed to be the breakout star of the group, but his inability to stay healthy has forced everyone into larger roles on the outside. Nickelback Kenny Moore II is one of the vets and leaders on this team, but they need an outside force to really help new DC Lou Anarumo’s defense take off.
Best fits: Travis Hunter, Colorado, Shavon Revel Jr, East Carolina, Quincy Riley, Louisville
2. Tight End
When targeting tight ends, the Colts had the worst EPA per target in the entire league. Despite what head coach Shane Steichen did with Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia, that production hasn’t really crossed into the midwest with him. The Colts need someone over the middle of the field who can create easy offense for QB Anthony Richardson in the passing game, while also being a plus level blocker to elevate the run game.
Best fits: Tyler Warren, Penn State, Mason Taylor, LSU, Elijah Conyers, Texas Tech
3. Safety
Everything I said for the cornerback room applies at safety. Julian Blackmon is a free agent, but even outside of that the safety play in Anarumo’s defense is going to be paramount to the Colts success (see: the drop off from Jessie Bates and Vonn Bell to Jordan Battle). With how many varieties of coverages Anarumo will throw, having strong safety play will elevate a defense that needs difference makers on the back end.
Best fits: Malaki Starks, Georgia, Kevin Winston Jr, Penn State, Sebastian Castro, Iowa
4. Offensive line
The Colts’ offensive line is in a bit of flux right now. Outside of left guard Quenton Nelson, the Indy pass protection unit performed much worse than expected. RT Braden Smith might end up being a cap casualty and RG Will Fries is a free agent as well as C Ryan Kelly. I think the interior of their offensive line could use much more help than the edges, so I’m opting for best fits on the interior.
Best fits: Will Campbell, LSU, Emery Jones Jr, LSU, Clay Webb, Jacksonville State
See More:
