Colts' draft priorities: Tight end, defensive line, offensive line

The Colts' needs this offseason were mostly obvious, and during the first week of free agency, Indianapolis stuck to the script. They landed two defensive backs on Day 1 of the negotiating period, agreeing to lucrative multiyear contracts with safety Camryn Bynum and cornerback Charvarius Ward. Two days later, the Colts signed quarterback Daniel Jones to a one-year, $14 million deal and created the QB competition the team promised. The Colts' deliberate and predictable approach to free agency has provided a clear road map for what comes next: the NFL draft. Given the Colts' approach to free agency, some of the team's draft priorities can be gleaned. And those priorities line up well with some of the strengths of this draft class. Here's a closer look. Tight end: The Colts were among the teams that got the least production from their tight ends last season. And it's not because they didn't utilize the unit. 'There's no doubt,' coach Shane Steichen said, 'I think you want to get your playmakers the ball. And if you've got a guy that can change the game [at] that position, he'll get the ball.' Fortunately for the Colts, there are two highly sought-after tight ends predicted to be selected in the first round. ESPN analyst Mel Kiper has Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland ranked seventh and 11th, respectively, on his latest prospect rankings. The Colts are paying close attention. What to know for the 2025 NFL draft • Mocks: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates • Rankings: Kiper | Miller | Reid | Yates • Buzz | Team needs | Comps | QB Board • Pick order | Scouting evals | More 'Do we need a game-changer?' general manager Chris Ballard said. ' Absolutely, we do.' The Colts have the 14th overall selection, which could prove problematic if enough teams are intrigued by both players. But history is on the Colts' side: No pair of tight ends has been drafted within the first 14 selections since 1973 when USC's Charles Young and Michigan's Paul Seymour were picked sixth and seventh, respectively. There's more historical perspective that might bode well for the Colts: Tight ends aren't typically drafted early, but those who have been recently panned out well. The past nine tight ends picked within the first 14 slots have been selected to at least one Pro Bowl. That dates to Tony Gonzalez, who was drafted in 1997. If the Colts can't address tight end with their first selection, they will also have intriguing options later. Elijah Arroyo of Miami, Mason Taylor of LSU and many others are among those projected as high as second-round picks. It all lines up well for a team that acknowledges its need at the position. Defensive line: One of the Colts' biggest free agency losses was defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo, who joined the Chicago Bears after leading his unit in snaps played in 2024. But to understand the depth of the need at this position, some other context is needed. Even though the Colts used their first selection last year on edge rusher Laiatu Latu, the future of their defensive line is in a somewhat precarious state. Veteran edge rushers Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis and Samson Ebukam (who is coming off a torn Achilles) are entering the final year of their contracts. Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and nose tackle Grover Stewart -- who have formed one of the league's best interior duos -- are still performing well but are both 31. Good thing the draft has some options. Seven of Kiper's prospects on his top-25 Big Board project as interior defensive linemen or edge rushers in the NFL, providing opportunities for the Colts if they address the need early. There's also depth at the position well into the third round. Ballard, who is known for his focus on the trenches, has surprisingly picked just one defensive lineman in the first three rounds in the past three drafts (Latu). But with a deep group this season, coupled with the increasing need at the position, it's possible that changes in 2025. Offensive line: Free agency hit this unit hard, with veteran center Ryan Kelly and emerging guard Will Fries joining the Minnesota Vikings. The Colts have potential in-house replacements for both -- Tanor Bortolini at center and guard-tackle Matt Goncalves. But even if that happens -- and Goncalves might be best suited to be a swing backup tackle -- the Colts still have a definitive need at this position. At minimum, the free agency losses will greatly impact the depth. And right tackle Braden Smith, who missed the last five games of last season to address his mental health, is entering the final season of his contract. This draft isn't shaping up to be like last year's, when four offensive linemen were selected in the top 14 picks. But the Colts don't need to feel pressured to make an early selection here. Their offensive line needs are more about depth and the future. In that regard, the Colts can still get what they want from this class. Running back: The lack of depth at this position presented problems for the Colts last season whenever star back Jonathan Taylor dealt with injuries. Indianapolis acknowledged this by signing former Bears and Cincinnati Bengals running back Khalil Herbert in free agency. The Colts are hoping Herbert can recapture some of his success from 2023, when he rushed for 611 yards. But they're expected to look at what is a deep group of running backs. ESPN's Matt Miller has predicted that as many as five running backs will be selected in the first two rounds, something that hasn't happened in five years. Compare that with last year, when just one running back was chosen in the same span. This could be the deepest class of running backs since 2020, when six backs were chosen in the first two rounds, including Taylor, D'Andre Swift, Cam Akers and Clyde Edwards-Helaire.