WaltNFL Team Assessment: Indianapolis Colts
Team record, game log, power ranking, schedule, needs, draft grade, and draft pick links.
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The 2025 NFL Season – Team Record and Game Log
Season Review
Indianapolis Colts
View Game Log from 2025 Season
| Game | Result | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Dolphins(0-0) at Colts(0-0) | WIN | Dolphins 8 – Colts 33 |
| Broncos(1-0) at Colts(1-0) | WIN | Broncos 28 – Colts 29 |
| Colts(2-0) at Titans(0-2) | WIN | Colts 41 – Titans 20 |
| Colts(3-0) at Rams(2-1) | LOSS | Colts 20 – Rams 27 |
| Raiders(1-3) at Colts(3-1) | WIN | Raiders 6 – Colts 40 |
| Cardinals(2-3) at Colts(4-1) | WIN | Cardinals 27 – Colts 31 |
| Colts(5-1) at Chargers(4-2) | WIN | Colts 38 – Chargers 24 |
| Titans(1-6) at Colts(6-1) | WIN | Titans 14 – Colts 38 |
| Colts(7-1) at Steelers(4-3) | LOSS | Colts 20 – Steelers 27 |
| Falcons(3-5) at Colts(7-2) | WIN | Falcons 25 – Colts 31 |
| Colts(8-2) at Chiefs(5-5) | LOSS | Colts 20 – Chiefs 23 |
| Texans(6-5) at Colts(8-3) | LOSS | Texans 20 – Colts 16 |
| Colts(8-4) at Jaguars(8-4) | LOSS | Colts 19 – Jaguars 36 |
| Colts(8-4) at Seahawks(9-3) | LOSS | Colts 16 – Seahawks 18 |
| 49ers(10-4) at Colts(8-6) | LOSS | 49ers 48 – Colts 27 |
| Jaguars(11-4) at Colts(8-7) | LOSS | Jaguars 23 – Colts 17 |
| Colts(8-8) at Texans(11-5) | LOSS | Colts 30 – Texans 38 |
Walt’s Latest Colts Power Ranking
Updated 5/13/2026
at 5:05 AM
Rank: 20
Previously: 22
Last year, I compared the Colts to a seemingly hot girl at the bar, but when the lights go on, she’s revealed to be a hideous beast. They got even worse when Daniel Jones suffered an injury. Jones is back, but in what capacity? Torn Achilles are very difficult to overcome in less than a year. Indianapolis strengthened its defense with various upgrades made via trades, but the team remains difficult to handicap because of Jones’ uncertainty.
2026 NFL Season – Upcoming Schedule
Schedule| Week | Opponent | Time | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
vs
Ravens
|
9/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 2 |
@
Chiefs
|
9/20/2026 8:20:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 3 |
vs
Texans
|
9/27/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 4 |
@
Commanders
|
10/4/2026 9:30:00 AM EST | TBD |
| 5 |
@
Steelers
|
10/11/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 6 |
vs
Titans
|
10/18/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 7 |
@
Vikings
|
10/25/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 8 |
@
Jaguars
|
11/1/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 9 |
vs
Cowboys
|
11/8/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 10 |
vs
Dolphins
|
11/15/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 11 |
@
Texans
|
11/19/2026 8:15:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 12 |
vs
Giants
|
11/29/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 14 |
@
Eagles
|
12/13/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 15 |
@
Titans
|
12/20/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 16 |
vs
Bengals
|
12/26/2026 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 17 |
@
Browns
|
1/3/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
| 18 |
vs
Jaguars
|
1/9/2027 1:00:00 PM EST | TBD |
Walt’s Team Needs Assessment
Needs
The Colts were considered one of the best teams in the NFL in the first couple of months of 2025. They began 7-1, but barely won any games down the stretch because Daniel Jones and some key defenders suffered injuries. Perhaps they’ll have better injury luck in 2026.
- Linebacker: Indianapolis had major issues covering the middle of the field last season, so the linebackers will need of an injection of talent.
- Safety: The Colts can continue to help themselves cover the middle of the field by finding an upgrade at safety. Signed Juanyeh Thomas
- Defensive End: Laiatu Latu was great last year, but he’ll have his work cut out for him in 2026 because all of the other edge rushers are heading into free agency. Signed Arden Key and Micheal Clemons
- Right Tackle: Indianapolis had a stellar offensive line last year, but right tackle Braden Smith is set to hit free agency.
- Wide Receiver: The Colts have a bunch of solid receivers, but none of them profile as a No. 1 target. Alec Pierce came closest last year, but he’s an impending free agent. Re-signed Alec Pierce
- Defensive Tackle Depth: There are some expiring contracts at this position, so the Colts will need new interior defensive line players behind the starters. Signed Derrick Nnadi
Walt’s 2026 NFL Draft – Overall Team Grade and Selection Grades
Draft Review
Walt’s Draft Grade:
B- Grade
Walt’s Grade Summary
It was shocking to see that the Colts didn’t address their pass rush until their fifth pick, No. 156. The good news is that they were able to obtain an unbelievable value in C.J. Allen in the middle of the second round. Allen easily could have gone in the teens, yet plummeted a whole round. He’s a very instinctive linebacker and will be a big upgrade in the middle of Indianapolis’ defense.
The bad news is that none of the Colts’ other picks really stood out. Outside of Allen, no Colts pick scored higher than a B+ until the 210s when Indianapolis obtained some good values. The Colts should have considered drafting edge rushers instead of a second linebacker or a guard, though I didn’t mind the guard pick (Jalen Farmer) too much.
Indianapolis inevitably landed two edge rushers in George Gumbs and Caden Curry. Both were good values, but they were chosen at Nos. 156 and 214, respectively, so it’ll be tough for them to be impactful right away. Thus, the Colts will likely struggle against Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud this upcoming season.
The bad news is that none of the Colts’ other picks really stood out. Outside of Allen, no Colts pick scored higher than a B+ until the 210s when Indianapolis obtained some good values. The Colts should have considered drafting edge rushers instead of a second linebacker or a guard, though I didn’t mind the guard pick (Jalen Farmer) too much.
Indianapolis inevitably landed two edge rushers in George Gumbs and Caden Curry. Both were good values, but they were chosen at Nos. 156 and 214, respectively, so it’ll be tough for them to be impactful right away. Thus, the Colts will likely struggle against Trevor Lawrence and C.J. Stroud this upcoming season.
Draft Picks / Prospect Links
Pick 53
A+
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
LB
Georgia
Rnk: 14
Scouting Report
This pick is crazy because if the Colts had their natural pick in the first round and selected C.J. Allen there, no one would have had a big issue with it. The Colts then could have taken Allen in the second round, but they traded down and still got him! The Colts are filling a huge need with a very instinctive linebacker.
Pick 78
B-
A.J. Haulcy, CB, LSU
CB
LSU
Rnk: 100
A.J. Haulcy makes sense in the third round, which is where I had him slotted. He’s very good in zone coverage, though he’s a bit stiff. His versatility is nice, so the Colts should be graded fairly. I would have preferred an edge rusher though.
Pick 113
B+
Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
G
Kentucky
Rnk: 0
The Colts had to address their offensive line at some point after losing some talent recently. Jalen Farmer is a fierce blocker with long arms, and he also tested well athletically. He’s a solid choice in Round 4.
Pick 135
C+
Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
LB
Oregon
Rnk: 0
Bryce Boettcher is undersized, but can cover well and seldom misses tackles. The Colts need linebacker help, but Bryce Boettcher was seen as a sixth-round prospect, making this a bit of a reach.
Pick 156
B+
George Gumbs Jr., OLB, Florida
OLB
Florida
Rnk: 162
George Gumbs is a raw edge rusher who has a high ceiling. The Colts needed as many edge rushers as possible entering the 2026 NFL Draft, so I like that they’re swinging for the fences.
Pick 214
A
Caden Curry, DE, Ohio State
DE
Ohio State
Rnk: 193
Caden Curry is a highly productive pass rusher with a nonstop motor. The Colts are filling a position of need with a great value; I had Curry slotted in the fourth round, so this is a steal.
Pick 237
A-
Seth McGowan, RB, Kentucky
RB
Kentucky
Rnk: 110
Seth McGowan is a patient runner with great vision, but didn’t have many explosive plays in college. Still, he’s a decent enough prospect to emerge as the backup behind Jonathan Taylor. I had McGowan as a fifth-round prospect, so there’s good value with this choice.
Pick 254
A+
Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma
WR
Oklahoma
Rnk: 69
Deion Burks is small, but has terrific play-making ability. This is quite the fall for him; I had him in the third round. What an amazing value! It also fills a need with Michael Pittman Jr. gone.
Charlie Campbell
