2025 NFL Season Preview: Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts (Last Year: 8-9)

2025 NFL Season Preview:

Veteran Additions:
QB Daniel Jones, RB Khalil Herbert, DT Neville Gallimore, CB Charvarius Ward, CB Corey Ballentine, S Cam Bynum.
Early Draft Picks:
TE Tyler Warren, DE J.T. Tuimoloau, CB Justin Walley, OT Jalen Travis. Colts Rookie Forecast
Offseason Losses:
QB Joe Flacco, RB Trey Sermon, TE Mo Alie-Cox, TE Kylen Granson, G Will Fries, C Ryan Kelly, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, LB E.J. Speed, LB Grant Stuard, S Julian Blackmon.

2025 Indianapolis Colts Offense:
Anthony Richardson was seen as a long-term project, especially during the 2023 preseason where he struggled to complete basic passes. Richardson beat expectations as a rookie, albeit on a small sample size. He completed about 60 percent of his passes, threw only one interception, and nearly led a great comeback against the Rams while dealing with an injury. This is why it was surprising that Richardson regressed mightily in his second year. Richardson didn’t get hurt this time, but he completed just 47.7 percent of his passes, throwing more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (8).

Richardson’s rapid regression was alarming, and it remains to be seen if he’ll be able to recover. If he can’t, the Colts will turn to Daniel Jones, whom they signed this offseason. Jones was also a first-round failure, but he never got a fair chance with the Giants because he constantly dealt with poor blocking, all while never possessing a talented No. 1 receiver until half of 2024 when he played with Malik Nabers.

Jones will be stationed behind a much better offensive line than he saw in New York, though there are concerns. One such issue centers around two departures this offseason, as Ryan Kelly and Will Fries both signed with the Vikings. Replacing them will be Tanor Bortolini and Matt Goncalves, a pair of second-year players who were taken in the fourth and third rounds, respectively. Both saw action last year and were mediocre, though it must be pointed out that Goncalves’ action came at right tackle. Bortolini and Goncalves could improve with experience. If they do, the Colts will have a formidable interior offensive line, led by top-tier guard Quenton Nelson.

The other concern with Indianapolis’ offensive line is that Braden Smith was diagnosed with a mental disorder this offseason. There’s a chance Smith will be available all year, but that’s no sure thing. If Smith is out, it’ll be a big blow to the Colts’ blocking because of how talented he is. Conversely, if Smith can play, the Colts will have one of the better tackles with the talented Bernhard Raimann starting on the blind side.

The Colts considered drafting a guard at No. 14 – Tyler Booker being taken two picks earlier made things easier – but ultimately went with athletic tight end Tyler Warren. Indianapolis has lacked consistent play at tight end for many years, so that will change with Warren. Indianapolis’ quarterback, whether that’s Richardson or Jones, will be able to rely on two other players, as Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs are a quality receiving duo. Alec Pierce can have some big games from time to time, but he’s an inconsistent threat.

Of course, Richardson or Jones will be able to lean on Jonathan Taylor primarily. Taylor suffered an embarrassing moment last year when he dropped the ball shy of the goal line in the infamous Battle of the Horses, but had a stellar season otherwise with 1,431 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.

2025 Indianapolis Colts Defense:
Though Anthony Richardson’s decline was troubling, that was far from the only major issue Indianapolis endured throughout the 2024 season. The defense was the other glaring problem, with the Colts ranking 28th in yards allowed. This was the first time Indianapolis finished in the bottom five of that category since Chuck Pagano’s final year in 2017.

The primary reason why the Colts were so inept defensively was all of their missed tackles. They had 157 missed tackles on the year, well above the next team in that category, the Raiders, who had 134 (as a reference, Pittsburgh had the fewest at 69). The front office was expected to add some talented linebackers who could make defensive stops, but it didn’t acquire any at the position. In fact, one of the Colts’ top-two run-stopping linebackers, E.J. Speed, departed this offseason. With Speed gone, the Colts will start Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies at linebacker. Franklin can also defend the run well, but he’s poor in coverage. Carlies has the opposite problem.

The Colts also lost a crucial safety in Julian Blackmon, so they needed someone new to start next to the talented Nick Cross. Unlike what they did at linebacker, they managed to sign Cam Bynum away from the Vikings. Bynum has played well in the past, but is coming off a down year. The Colts will need him to play like he did in 2023 when he was strong in run support and played well in coverage.

The Colts acquired some other pieces for their secondary, as they attempted to fix a flawed group of outside cornerbacks. They signed Charvarious Ward, who is expected to be the team’s top player on the outside despite the fact that he’s also coming off a down 2024 campaign. Ward will start across from Jaylon Jones, who just had a mediocre season. Indianapolis’ best player at the position will continue to be Kenny Moore, an excellent slot corner.

As for the defensive front, the Colts have two stalwarts in the interior. DeForest Buckner is one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, while Grover Stewart is an elite run defender. Indianapolis didn’t have much as far as depth is concerned, so the team signed Neville Gallimore to help fix that problem.

The Colts used a more significant resource to fix their edge-rushing depth. They were deep at defensive end last year, but lost promising edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo to free agency this offseason. They had 2024 first-rounder Laiatu Latu ready to step into a full-time role to bookend Kwity Paye, but needed another defensive end. They solved the problem by using a second-round pick on J.T. Tuimoloau.

2025 Indianapolis Colts Schedule and Intangibles:
The Colts could have some kicking issues this year. Spencer Shrader, a 2024 UDFA, is their kicker, despite being just 5-of-5 in his career. He’s never attempted a kick from 50-plus.

Rigoberto Sanchez finished 11th in net punting, all while doing a good job placing the ball inside the opposing 20.

Indianapolis has a tough non-divisional schedule. The team will take on the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Rams, and Steelers.

2025 Indianapolis Colts Rookies:
Go here for the Colts Rookie Forecast, a page with predictions like which rookie will bust and which rookie will become a solid starter.

2025 Indianapolis Colts Positional Rankings (1-5 stars):

Quarterbacks	Offensive Line	Secondary
Running Backs	Defensive Line	Special Teams
Receivers	Linebackers	Coaching

2025 Indianapolis Colts Analysis: The Colts have lots of question marks. Can Anthony Richardson turn things around, and if not, can Daniel Jones finally play like a first-round pick? Will the offensive line hold up well after losing two players and dealing with Braden Smith’s mental issues? Can the defense actually make some tackles this year? If the answer to all of these questions is yes, then the Colts might be able to sneak into the playoffs. However, the odds seem against them doing so.

Projection: 6-11 (3rd in AFC South)

2024 Projection: 10-7. 2024 Actual Result: 8-9.
2023 Projection: 6-11. 2023 Actual Result: 9-8.
2022 Projection: 10-7. 2022 Actual Result: 4-12-1.
2021 Projection: 10-7. 2021 Actual Result: 9-8.
2020 Projection: 13-3. 2020 Actual Result: 11-5.
2019 Projection: 7-9. 2019 Actual Result: 7-9.
2018 Projection: 6-10. 2018 Actual Result: 10-6.
2017 Projection: 6-10. 2017 Actual Result: 4-12.
2016 Projection: 12-4. 2016 Actual Result: 8-8.

NFL Draft Team Grade: A- Grade

Goals Entering the 2025 NFL Draft: Anthony Richardson’s steep decline last year presents a big issue for the Colts, but they’re stuck with him and Daniel Jones for now. They should do everything in their power to make sure one of those young quarterbacks succeeds, so upgrading the offensive line and tight end makes a lot of sense. The Colts also need some help on defense, primarily at cornerback and linebacker.

2025 NFL Draft Accomplishments: Indianapolis found its tight end at No. 14. The front office planned to draft Colston Loveland, so imagine its surprise when the top tight end on the board was available instead. Tyler Warren was great value at that pick.

The Colts made some solid defensive picks after that, but neglected their offensive line until the fourth round when they took a tackle for depth purposes. That was the only selection they used on a blocker.

Of the Colts’ seven picks beyond Warren, a whopping six of them scored a B+. The exception was a seventh-round pick, which earned a solid “B.” As you can see, the Colts drafted well all weekend, finding good values while filling needs.

NFL Draft Individual Grades:

14. Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State – A+ Grade

A no-brainer. Tyler Warren should have been drafted in the top 10. He could have gone as high as No. 7. This is a steal, and it fills a big need. This pick is definitely worthy of an A+ grade.

45. J.T. Tuimoloau, DE, Ohio State – B+ Grade

J.T. Tuimoloau had some first-round buzz, but ultimately went in the second round. I like the value, and I also like the need fit. The Colts will have just one edge rusher under contract following this season in Laiatu Latu, so they had to find a pass rusher to help them beat C.J. Stroud, Trevor Lawrence, and now Cam Ward.

80. Justin Walley, CB, Minnesota – B+ Grade

The Colts have a questionable secondary, so it makes sense to draft someone like Justin Walley, whom I had in the second round consistently. He’s an instinctive cornerback who should help Indianapolis stop the pass. Solid pick.

127. Jalen Travis, OT, Iowa State – B+ Grade

The Colts needed offensive tackle depth, so Jalen Travis makes sense in this range. He’s an athletic, big tackle with plenty of upside.

151. D.J. Giddens, RB, Kansas State – B+ Grade

D.J. Giddens is a tough runner who has shown plus receiving ability. The Colts needed a backup for Jonathan Taylor, and they took a decent one here, as Giddens could have been chosen a bit earlier with no complaints.

189. Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame – B+ Grade

I’m sure Colts fans will appreciate this pick because they probably feel as though they don’t have a viable quarterback (though I’d argue that Daniel Jones deserves a shot on a real team.) Riley Leonard could have gone much earlier than this, so the Colts should be graded favorably.

190. Tim Smith, DT, Alabama – B+ Grade

The Colts needed some defensive line depth, so Tim Smith is a logical pick in the sixth round. He has the talent and upside to play well in the pros despite being chosen this late.

232. Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin – B Grade

Hunter Wohler was a tackling machine at Wisconsin who was expected to be chosen in this range. He needs to improve in pass coverage. He’ll be a key special teamer in the NFL.

Follow me @walterfootball for updates.