With the 2025 NFL draft just over a week away, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has put together a full seven-round mock focusing on team needs, draft trends, and fits. So, who did the Indianapolis Colts end up coming away with?
Let’s go pick-by-pick and break down Brugler’s selections from the Colts‘ perspective.
Colts pick at 14: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
With Tyler Warren off the board, Brugler has the Colts picking Loveland at 14th overall. Loveland would certainly provide the needed boost that the Colts are searching for in the passing game at the tight end position.
He can line up in the slot and outside, and attack all levels of the field and do so in a variety of ways. That skill set in an offense not only creates mismatches for Loveland to exploit, but it can help create opportunities for other pass catchers as well.
With that said, not to be forgotten about in Shane Steichen’s offense is the importance of the tight end being an effective blocker. Loveland has continued to improve in this area, but how the Colts view his ability in that regard and the room for growth could play a major factor in whether or not this pick is made.
“I’m sure there is Loveland-to-Indy fatigue because it is a frequent pairing in mock drafts, but I’m not switching things up for the sake of variety,” wrote Brugler. “With his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Loveland is one of the best weapons this draft class has to offer and would upgrade the Colts’ offense immediately.”
Colts pick at 45: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona
I really like this pick. The offensive line has its question marks right now, and Savaiinaea can come in and compete at right guard with Matt Goncalves or provide depth off the bench at tackle, which is also needed.
Colts pick at 80: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
The Colts’ need at linebacker is twofold. At a minimum, additional depth is needed after losing EJ Speed and Grant Stuard in free agency, but more importantly, that starting role next to Zaire Franklin has to be filled. Maybe Jaylon Carlies can be that player, but that shouldn’t be assumed either, and there should be a competition for that playing time.
Colts pick at 117: CJ West, IDL, Indiana
Defensive tackle is a heavily rotated position, so even though the Colts have a strong foundation with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, this is a unit that still needs to be addressed.
Last season, Raekwon Davis and Taven Bryan ranked among the worst in PFF’s pass rush win rate and in run stop rate. Opposing offenses frequently took advantage when Buckner and Stewart weren’t on the field.
Perhaps Neville Gallimore can provide a boost, or Adetomiwa Adebawore can take a step forward in Year 3, but much like at linebacker, the Colts shouldn’t assume that either, especially in what is a deep defensive tackle class.
Colts pick at 151: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will be competing for the starting role this summer, but regardless of who wins the job, there is still going to be unknowns at the quarterback position. While you certainly don’t bank on Leonard being more than a backup in his career, the prudent move for every team should be constantly attempting to develop young quarterbacks, given that it is the most important position in football.
In addition to that, the Colts have carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster under Steichen, and Leonard could compete with Jason Bean for that spot.
Colts pick at 189: Woody Marks, RB, USC
As GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine, the Colts need more production from the backup running back position. In total last season, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson combined for just 88 carries and that was with Jonathan Taylor missing three games.
Having a steady presence behind Taylor, who will still handle the lion’s share of the carries, could help take at least some of the workload off his shoulders over a long NFL season. Also, the Colts could benefit from having a passing game presence out of the back–something that was non-existent in 2024–to add another dimension to the offense.
The fact that the Colts signed Khalil Herbert in free agency to a one-year deal shouldn’t stop them from further adding to this position.
Colts pick at 232: Elijah Ponder, DE, Cal Poly
The Colts have had Ponder in for a pre-draft visit. Obviously, not every position group can be addressed right away, but I do think the Colts add to the defensive end position way before Round 7.
Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the depth needs a boost, and we know that this is a position group Ballard very much prioritizes. But in addition to that, the draft is also about planning ahead, and as we look ahead to 2026, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Samson Ebukam are all free agents.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Breaking down Colts picks in Dane Brugler’s mock
With the 2025 NFL draft just over a week away, The Athletic’s Dane Brugler has put together a full seven-round mock focusing on team needs, draft trends, and fits. So, who did the Indianapolis Colts end up coming away with?
Let’s go pick-by-pick and break down Brugler’s selections from the Colts‘ perspective.
Colts pick at 14: Colston Loveland, TE, Michigan
With Tyler Warren off the board, Brugler has the Colts picking Loveland at 14th overall. Loveland would certainly provide the needed boost that the Colts are searching for in the passing game at the tight end position.
He can line up in the slot and outside, and attack all levels of the field and do so in a variety of ways. That skill set in an offense not only creates mismatches for Loveland to exploit, but it can help create opportunities for other pass catchers as well.
With that said, not to be forgotten about in Shane Steichen’s offense is the importance of the tight end being an effective blocker. Loveland has continued to improve in this area, but how the Colts view his ability in that regard and the room for growth could play a major factor in whether or not this pick is made.
“I’m sure there is Loveland-to-Indy fatigue because it is a frequent pairing in mock drafts, but I’m not switching things up for the sake of variety,” wrote Brugler. “With his athleticism and pass-catching skills, Loveland is one of the best weapons this draft class has to offer and would upgrade the Colts’ offense immediately.”
Colts pick at 45: Jonah Savaiinaea, OT/G, Arizona
I really like this pick. The offensive line has its question marks right now, and Savaiinaea can come in and compete at right guard with Matt Goncalves or provide depth off the bench at tackle, which is also needed.
Colts pick at 80: Smael Mondon Jr., LB, Georgia
The Colts’ need at linebacker is twofold. At a minimum, additional depth is needed after losing EJ Speed and Grant Stuard in free agency, but more importantly, that starting role next to Zaire Franklin has to be filled. Maybe Jaylon Carlies can be that player, but that shouldn’t be assumed either, and there should be a competition for that playing time.
Colts pick at 117: CJ West, IDL, Indiana
Defensive tackle is a heavily rotated position, so even though the Colts have a strong foundation with DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, this is a unit that still needs to be addressed.
Last season, Raekwon Davis and Taven Bryan ranked among the worst in PFF’s pass rush win rate and in run stop rate. Opposing offenses frequently took advantage when Buckner and Stewart weren’t on the field.
Perhaps Neville Gallimore can provide a boost, or Adetomiwa Adebawore can take a step forward in Year 3, but much like at linebacker, the Colts shouldn’t assume that either, especially in what is a deep defensive tackle class.
Colts pick at 151: Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will be competing for the starting role this summer, but regardless of who wins the job, there is still going to be unknowns at the quarterback position. While you certainly don’t bank on Leonard being more than a backup in his career, the prudent move for every team should be constantly attempting to develop young quarterbacks, given that it is the most important position in football.
In addition to that, the Colts have carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man roster under Steichen, and Leonard could compete with Jason Bean for that spot.
Colts pick at 189: Woody Marks, RB, USC
As GM Chris Ballard said at the NFL combine, the Colts need more production from the backup running back position. In total last season, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson combined for just 88 carries and that was with Jonathan Taylor missing three games.
Having a steady presence behind Taylor, who will still handle the lion’s share of the carries, could help take at least some of the workload off his shoulders over a long NFL season. Also, the Colts could benefit from having a passing game presence out of the back–something that was non-existent in 2024–to add another dimension to the offense.
The fact that the Colts signed Khalil Herbert in free agency to a one-year deal shouldn’t stop them from further adding to this position.
Colts pick at 232: Elijah Ponder, DE, Cal Poly
The Colts have had Ponder in for a pre-draft visit. Obviously, not every position group can be addressed right away, but I do think the Colts add to the defensive end position way before Round 7.
Without Dayo Odeyingbo, the depth needs a boost, and we know that this is a position group Ballard very much prioritizes. But in addition to that, the draft is also about planning ahead, and as we look ahead to 2026, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Samson Ebukam are all free agents.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Breaking down Colts picks in Dane Brugler’s mock
