The following is an excerpt from Warren Sharp's 2025 Football Preview book. In addition to Warren's deep, detailed write-up on all 32 NFL teams, each chapter features page after page of full-color charts, stats, and heatmaps as well as draft class analysis from Ryan McCrystal. Click here for a full FREE chapter from the 2025 Football Preview.
With 2025 NFL training camps on the horizon, we’re starting to understand how 2025 NFL draft classes will impact each roster this season.
Let's look at the Indianapolis Colts, breaking down the most likely instant-impact rookies from each class, while also providing some insight into why certain early picks may not see the field.
Who are the Indianapolis Colts rookies?
- Tyler Warren (TE, Penn State)
- JT Tuimoloau (EDGE, Ohio State)
- Justin Walley (CB, Minnesota)
- Jalen Travis (OT, Iowa State)
- DJ Giddens (RB, Kansas State)
- Riley Leonard (QB, Notre Dame)
- Tim Smith (DL, Alabama)
- Hunter Wohler (S, Wisconsin)
Indianapolis Colts Draft Class Grade:
The Indianapolis Colts received an A- draft grade from Sharp Football.
Which Colts Rookies Will Make An Impact?
The Colts patiently waited on draft day and were rewarded with Tyler Warren (first round) falling into their lap.
Give Chris Ballard credit for his patient approach. It must have been tempting to trade up for a player who fits so well into their offense, but the cost would have significantly diminished the value of the addition.
Warren earned a reputation as a reliable pass-catcher with an uncanny knack for getting open even when everyone knew the ball was coming his way.
He’s also a surprisingly valuable weapon after the catch due to his hard running style. Based on route adjusted data, Warren generated 8.8% more yards after catch than expected last year, an impressive rate for a tight end lacking elite athletic traits.
The addition of Warren gives the Colts a well-rounded receiving corps, and it leaves little excuse for Anthony Richardson if he fails to take a positive step in his development this year.
JT Tuimoloau (second round) has the experience and proven production Ballard seems to covet in early-draft prospects and should factor into the defensive line rotation as a rookie.
When quarterbacks took a traditional dropback, Tuimoloau generated a 17% pressure rate last year, ranked eighth in the Big Ten.
The addition of Tuimoloau also gives the Colts some flexibility in building the 2026 roster, as Kwity Paye is entering the final year of his contract. An extension is possible, but there’s no pressure on the Colts to force it with another quality young edge-rusher on the roster behind him.
Like Tuimoloau, Justin Walley (third round) has plenty of experience and production, though his immediate role is less certain.
Based on route adjusted data, Walley allowed a catch rate 39% below expected in 2024, the best rate among qualified Power Four cornerbacks.
With that type of production and 42 career starters under his belt, Walley is probably ready to compete for a job, but it will be tough for him to beat out Charvarius Ward or Jaylon Jones, both of whom are under contract for multiple years.
As a result, Walley probably starts out as a reserve, but will be called upon if Ward or Jones struggle.
Jalen Travis (fourth round) spent four years at Princeton before closing his career as Iowa State’s left tackle in 2024.
When his quarterbacks took a traditional dropback, Travis’ 1.9% blown block rate ranked 11th in the country among left tackles. His 9.1 Relative Athletic Score (a metric which Ballard’s picks typically score high marks on) is also an indication of room for continued development.
It’s plausible Travis could shift to guard and compete for a job right away, but he would also be a good fit as the swing tackle in Indy.
DJ Giddens (fifth round) will compete with Khalil Herbert for the backup job behind Jonathan Taylor.
Giddens is a physical between-the-tackles runner but also has speed to hit home runs in the open field.
When accounting for defenders in the box and the inside/outside direction of the run, Giddens gained 28% more yards than expected last year, ranked fifth among Power Four ball carriers.
Giddens is lacking in pass-catching ability, however, so he will likely be used to spell Taylor on early downs, while Herbert sees more action on passing downs.
Indy showed interest in the quarterback prospects in this class, so the selection of Riley Leonard (sixth round) was not a shock, but he is an odd fit for the Colts.
With Richardson, Daniel Jones, and now Leonard, the Colts appear to have an affinity for quarterbacks who are better runners than passers.
Leonard lacks the arm to offer much of a ceiling and will likely be a career backup. His 53% on-target rate on throws 15 or more yards downfield ranked 68th in the FBS last season.
It also seems risky to have a popular Notre Dame quarterback on the bench behind Richardson, who has struggled to this point in his career. There’s no shortage of Irish fans in Indy, and if Richardson doesn’t get on track, calls for Leonard will grow.
Tim Smith (sixth round) will compete for a reserve role on the defensive line.
During his five years at Alabama, Smith never made a major impact, and he lacks the athletic traits to have a high ceiling. That said, the coaching staff seemed to trust him from a young age, and he kept getting opportunities, so maybe he has the ideal makeup of a backup in the NFL.
Hunter Wohler (seventh round) was a two-year starter at Wisconsin, primarily playing strong safety, and he has the traits to potentially carve out a special teams role and earn a roster spot.
His 16% missed tackle rate in 2024 was among the highest in this year’s draft class, and that will need to be cleaned up if he’s going to see the field down the road.
This looks like a typical Ballard draft class, heavy on experienced players with proven production.
The selection of Warren was a home run and should help Richardson, though the lack of offensive line help prior to the fourth round could be a decision that haunts them if no one on the roster is able to provide quality play at the right guard spot, which should be an open competition in training camp.
This analysis continues in the 2025 Football Preview
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