What a difference a year makes for this Indianapolis Colts team. Last season, when draft content was heavily based on a football team in purgatory with no direction or vision. This season has brought a new hopeful direction for the future. The Colts are off to a 4-1 start with a plus-74-point differential and current No. 1 seed in the AFC.
Now, we are only a quarter of the way through the season, but the fanbase has not had this much excitement and hope since drafting Andrew Luck. When the football team is playing better, the draft becomes completely different. It allows you to focus on the small areas of depth, and you can even start to identify some talent that can be developed.
Both Shane Steichen and Chris Ballard, if this continues, will likely return to their respective positions within the organization. Ballard is under contract through 2026, and Steichen is under contract through the 2028 season. While Ballard has had a rocky draft record, he and his staff will be tasked with finding a new crop of players for the future of this organization.
3-round Indianapolis Colts mock draft cements the team as Super Bowl contenders
As we did last year, we will base their draft position in real time on where they would pick. If the season ended today, the Colts would select at pick No. 31. Let’s dive into our first three-round mock draft of the 2025 season.
Round 1/Pick 31 - OT Isaiah World/Oregon
It has been great having some depth on the offensive line this season, but with an impending lame duck tackle in Braden Smith, more depth could be coming. Smith has been terrific this season, but with the emergence of Daniel Jones and potentially Alec Pierce's contract in the wings, this is where you see the veterans get replaced.
The Colts moved Matt Goncalves to right guard this year, and he has played well enough to keep him there permanently. Pairing a new swing tackle with Jalen Travis is exactly what this team will need. The ideal size that Ballard looks for in a lineman. World is 6’8" and 320 pounds. Has played both left tackle and right tackle at a high level at Oregon. Ballard preaches competition; this does exactly that on the offensive line.
Round 2/Pick 62 - EDGE Jaishawn Barham/Michigan
I’m going with the versatile Jaishawn Barham in the second round. The Colts have struggled with consistent play at the EDGE position so far this season. Barham can line up on the line or glide out and play linebacker. Barham has been the leader and closer so far this season on the stout Michigan defense.
Getting some consistent play from an outside linebacker is a need, and getting Laiatu Latu a partner on the edge would be beneficial to this football team. The Colts have a trio of defensive edge players, all in contract years.
Tyquan Lewis, Kwity Paye, and Samson Ebukam all become unrestricted free agents after this season. None of them are guaranteed to return, and grabbing an impactful pass rusher at any time of the draft is a no-brainer.
Round 3/Pick 95 - DT Dontay Corleone/Cincinnati
This is not the first time I have mentioned this pick. I thought he was a great fit last season, but he chose to stay in school for another season. He has battled injuries this season, but it appears to be the right decision. While Cincinnati has not been a juggernaut this season, they have put out NFL talent from time to time. Corleone could be next on this list.
Corleone is not a pass rusher, but he is a run stopper with terrific lateral movement. A strong football IQ that this coaching staff loves to have. DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are aging, while Neville Gallimore is only on a one-year deal. The ability for Ballard and his staff to obtain a future trench starter on day two of the draft will be too much to pass up.