The Indianapolis Colts haven’t been shy about the pressure they’re putting on Anthony Richardson going into the 2025 season. The young quarterback is just entering his third season, and has only played 15 games in his career, but patience is running thin. That’s why Indy brought in Daniel Jones for competition, hoping that he’ll push Richardson.
While Richardson certainly has to answer questions for his own play, his teammates also have to do a better job of supporting him on the field. The Colts were 8-9 during the 2024 season, and that’s because the entire team was inconsistent, not just the young quarterback.
Fortunately, Indianapolis has been trying to change that this offseason. The team made some nice moves in free agency, and they’ll try to do the same in the draft. The 2025 Draft is one of the most unpredictable drafts in recent memory, so no one really knows what will happen on draft night.
That has made mock drafting tough for the experts, but they’re still trying. Recently, Matt Verderame of Sports Illustrated did an all-trades mock draft. It’s exactly what it sounds like: every pick in the first round was traded.
"The rules are simple. Each trade has to be fair, and in that endeavor, we’re using the Rich Hill trade chart, which is popular within the NFL. Additionally, the trades have to make sense. Teams aren’t wildly trading up for funsies."Matt Verderame (Sports Illustrated)
The Colts, who are actually set to pick at No. 14, ended up with the 23rd-overall pick. Indy sent picks No. 14 and No. 117 to the Green Bay Packers for picks 23 and 54. At 23, Indianapolis got its young quarterback another weapon, drafting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
Colts trade back to select Colston Loveland in Sports Illustrated mock draft
Verderame says this would be serendipity for Indy because the team needs a good tight end, and Loveland would be the ideal tight end for Shane Steichen’s offense. Beyond the fit, the selection would add another layer of pressure for Anthony Richardson.
If Loveland can immediately contribute like analysts think he can, he’ll be an additional solid weapon for Richardson and the Colts offense to work with. That would give the young quarterback minimal excuses if everyone around him is delivering. While Richardson still hasn’t played a season worth of games, he’s entering year three, and everyone is ready to see growth. That growth will need to be on display early if the Colts add a weapon like Colston Loveland to the offense.