Tight end is naturally garnering a lot of attention for the Indianapolis Colts heading into the 2025 NFL draft. However, in the early going, we could see two other position groups prioritized instead.
ESPN’s 32 NFL Nation reporters were asked to sum up how each of their respective teams will approach the NFL draft. Stephen Holder, who covers the Colts, had this to say: “From inside out.”
Holder would go on to add, “While the Colts are expected to consider a tight end with their first selection at No. 14 — Tyler Warren is among the potential options — Indianapolis is likely to spend key draft resources on its offensive and defensive lines.”
In free agency, the Colts lost several key contributors from each of those position groups. Dayo Odeyingbo would sign with Chicago, while Will Fries and Ryan Kelly are both in Minnesota.
Odeyingbo played over 700 defensive snaps last season and led the team in pressures, according to PFF’s metrics. When it comes to replacing that playing time and production, getting Samson Ebukam back can hopefully help as will a big Year 2 jump from Laiatu Latu, but it will, to some degree, take a group effort.
However, at a minimum, the depth at defensive end needs to be replenished. Also, not to be overlooked, but the draft is about planning ahead, and as we look to 2026, Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis are all set to be free agents.
Along with adding to defensive end, the Colts very much need improved play behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart at defensive tackle. Last season, Taven Bryan and Raekwon Davis each ranked among the worst at the defensive tackle position group in PFF’s pass rush win rate metric and in run stop rate.
Again, the hope would be that Neville Gallimore can provide improved play and that Adetomiwa Adebawor takes a step forward, but the Colts shouldn’t assume that either.
“I feel good about the edges,” Shane Steichen said at the NFL’s annual league meeting. “Obviously getting inside with Buck and Grove, and then adding some pieces in free agency. But I think just depth, more than anything. You gotta have depth there at the defensive line, rotate those guys in and out and keep them fresh.”
On the other side of the ball, Tanor Bortolini likely slides into the starting center role, although he could compete with Danny Pinter for that playing time as well.
At right guard, there are more unknowns. Will Matt Goncalves slide over from tackle to guard to fill that role? If that’s the plan, the Colts should bring in someone to compete for that playing time with him. And beyond determining who the starting five will be, depth along the interior and tackle are neds as well.
We can talk all we want about the quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, but if the Colts’ offensive line play isn’t good enough, it probably doesn’t matter who the quarterback is.
“We’re working through that right now, (general manager Chris Ballard) and his staff, just looking at what’s out there, obviously, through free agency, possibly the draft,” Shane Steichen said of the offensive line via the Indy Star. “But obviously, offensive line’s a big part of it. You’ve got to be able to protect the quarterback. You’ve got to be able to run the ball really well.”
Skill position players often garner the attention, and without a doubt, it’s not as if the Colts can forget about adding to the tight end position or elsewhere. However, without strong play in the trenches, it makes accomplishing everything else on offense and defense a lot more difficult.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Watch for Colts to spend key picks on OL and DL