The NFL draft has came and went, and with it, each team tried to secure their future within what they saw as the best prospects. So, how did the Colts look this draft? Let’s take a closer look at he most notable prospects taken in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Round 1 – Pick 14 TE Tyler Warren
TE Tyler Warren was a pick I didn’t expect to see slide down to the Colts this year. The Bears took the other TE prospect most likely mocked to the Colts, Michigan’s Colston Loveland, thus letting the Colts get the (previously thought) best TE in the draft.
What made Warren slide? Who’s to say. Warren has been thought as an all around package as a tight end, a great blocker, a steady receiver, and a presence on the field. The connection between Warren and the Colts’ up-in-the-air starting QB will likely take some time to develop, however, Warren should be able to gather plenty of targets as the sure-handed and hard to take down prospect he’s been billed as. I see the comparisons to San Francisco’s George Kittle, and I think this pick is an A.
Round 2 – Pick 45 EDGE JT Tuimoloau
Edge rusher JT Tuimoloau from Ohio State was the next pick from the Colts, and I was a bit surprised. While I think Tuimoloau has the presence and “clutch gene” that makes a good edge rusher, I think the pick would have been better spent on a linebacker. While there is a void to fill from the departure of Dayo in the off-season, the void in the linebacker position is the more pressing one in my opinion.
However, that isn’t a knock on Tuimolau. A large and strong presence much similar to Kwity Paye’s draft a few seasons back. He excels in run-defense, and recorded 21.5 sacks. I think this pick is a solid B.
Round 5 – Pick 151 RB DJ Giddens
Running back DJ Giddens is one of my favorite mid-round picks I’ve seen from the Colts. First off, he was already coming to Indy at a great value, as he was ranked the 96th best prospect in the draft. Giddens rushed for an average of 6.6 yards/carry this college season, and had two back-to-back 180 yard games. DJ Giddens is fast, he’s got great feet, and he’s strong. He reminds me a lot of the buzz around Tank Bigsby coming from the previous years’ draft, which I think is a very fair comparison.
As a scheme fit, I think DJ Giddens would work really well as a backup to Jonathan Taylor, especially in this offense. I think this is a B draft.
Round 6 – Pick 189 QB Riley Leonard
QB Riley Leonard was an interesting pick. While I don’t think the QB room needed another back-up, I think Riley Leonard is a serviceable one. Accuracy is a worry, however he’s a great athlete (sound familiar?). He has a playmaking ability that QBs for his size don’t typically have, but consistency is not his strong suit. I think he will definitely benefit from sitting behind Anthony Richardson this season, a similar style quarterback that (hopefully) will be making a leap this season. However, again, why not a late LB?
I don’t hate the pick, I think Riley Leonard may work well as a backup. This is a C grade to me.
