“I know this much—you can’t force it,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters. “When you start chasing a specific need, that’s when mistakes happen. So we’re going to let the board unfold naturally. And believe me, how we rank players internally looks very different from what the outside world sees.”
As Ballard enters his ninth NFL Draft with Indianapolis, he’s putting the final touches on the Colts’ draft board ahead of Thursday night’s first round in Green Bay, where division rival Tennessee is set to pick before them.
The 2025 draft class has been labeled a “starter’s draft,” with experts projecting plenty of long-term contributors to be found on Days 2 and 3. While the Colts still have holes at positions like tight end, interior offensive line, and linebacker, fans are hoping this draft will provide much-needed optimism for the upcoming season.
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So far, no teams have traded out of the first round. The Colts hold the No. 14 pick and have seven total selections—one in each round. Their scouting staff has narrowed the pool down to around 150–175 prospects. While mock drafts frequently link Indianapolis to the top tight ends and linebackers available, Ballard remains committed to his philosophy of not drafting based solely on positional need.
“If you reach just to fill a hole, you usually regret it,” Ballard reiterated. “We won’t do that. We’ll stick to our evaluations.” For example, if a top tight end like Penn State’s Tyler Warren is off the board, the Colts are unlikely to select the next-best option too early. Similarly, if no interior linemen carry a first-round grade, they won’t force a pick at that position at No. 14. Instead, Ballard might trade back to increase draft capital and flexibility.
Head coach Shane Steichen emphasized the importance of having a clear plan for how to utilize each drafted player. “You’ve got to have a vision for the guy you take,” he said. “Our scouts put in a ton of work, and as coaches, we’ve got to clearly define how we’d use them on the field.”
Indianapolis is coming off a season where its young quarterback posted the league’s lowest completion percentage, and the tight end group ranked near the bottom in production. With key vacancies on the offensive line and a need for more explosive plays through the air, improvement is crucial. On Tuesday, the Colts kicked off their voluntary offseason program at their facility in Indy, focusing on building chemistry and continuity.
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“We still have areas to address,” Steichen said. “We’ll have some strong competition on the offensive line. I like where our receivers are, and we’re considering adding a pass-catching tight end. With Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and a strong core in place, we’re just looking to develop that chemistry.”
While expectations are rising, the ultimate goal for 2025 is to snap the Colts’ four-year playoff drought. Under Steichen, the team has gone 17-17 across two seasons—middling results that rank them 18th overall and ninth in the AFC. This draft, and the development that follows, will be pivotal in determining how far Steichen can lead the Colts in Year 3.
