When the Indianapolis Colts made their second-round selection in the 2025 draft, they were hoping for not only a productive player but also one who could be a franchise mainstay for years to come. Instead, they picked a player who has had about as minimal an impact as can be expected from a top 50 draft pick.
JT Tuimoloau was made an Indianapolis Colt with the 45th pick of the 2025 draft. At the time, it was lauded as a quality choice, and fans were excited, even if it wasn't exactly regarded as a home run value. Still, even the most ardent detractors of Tuimoloau had higher expectations of him heading into his rookie campaign than turned out to be the reality.
Through 15 games of his rookie season, JT Tuimoloau has amassed 16 total tackles. Not one of those has been a sack, and the tackle number itself is pretty paltry for a second-round defensive end. He has consistently struggled to get on the field, and when he does get meaningful action, the results are less than middling.
It may be time for Colts GM Chris Ballard to admit defeat on JT Tuimoloau
Tuimoloau is a rookie, and some grace should be afforded to him as he adjusts to the pro level, as should be the case for all rookies. However, for a player who was a second-round pick, even the strongest of his supporters would agree that Tuimoloau has been all but nonexistent on the field throughout the season.
To add context to Tuimoloau's stats, a player at the same position taken just one pick before him, Donovan Ezeiraku of the Dallas Cowboys, has put together a season of 36 tackles, two sacks, and one forced fumble.
Yes, the two players are in two different situations, and Ezeiraku has had more snaps on the field. Still, it's not exactly the case that there are ridiculously elite players ahead of Tuimoloau, and it definitely doesn't excuse a disparity in stats of more than double the tackles, two more sacks, and a forced fumble. Ezeiraku has been far from a world beater this year, but even his stats dwarf the Colts' second-rounder.
Some solace can be taken in the fact that Tuimoloau is still a growing player. At the end of the day, he's only 22 years old, and Colts fans found some encouragement when his best game of the year, a six-tackle outing against the Jacksonville Jaguars, came just two weeks back.
The hope is that Tuimoloau will end up having to have taken a year to figure out playing at the NFL level, and that he will be able to come back for his sophomore season as a much better player.
Unfortunately, all current signs don't seem to favor that outcome. Fans can continue to support the young player (as they should) and hope that he eventually grows into a contributor who warrants his high draft selection. Without a doubt, that's the best outcome for all parties. Until then, however, it may be time for Chris Ballard to wave the white flag when it comes to JT Tuimoloau.