Two new first-round picks emerge in 2025 mock drafts

Since the end of the 2024 season, there have been numerous mock drafts offered by analysts to suggest who various teams should target. The Indianapolis Colts have a variety of needs to address in the 2025 draft, as well as during free agency, and for the most part, analysts seem to agree on who the Colts should target. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren and Georgia safety Malaki Starks are by far the most popular candidates for the Colts, though the occasional other candidate has been suggested.

The Colts took to Twitter to highlight two new picks in two mock drafts, one of which makes sense, and the other... less so.

Will Johnson, cornerback

NFL.com's Dan Parr suggested the Colts take Will Johnson, a cornerback from Michigan, a decent suggestion considering the Colts need more depth at cornerback. Indianapolis has two talented cornerbacks Kenny Moore II and Jaylon Jones; they also drafted Juju Brents in 2023, who had a decent rookie season. But Brents missed most of 2024 due to injury, further illustrating how the Colts need more depth in this position. So Johnson could be a good pick for Indianapolis; he would be able to serve as a rotational player behind the more experienced CBs, giving Johnson time and experience to grow into a starter in the future, while also giving the Colts the depth they desperately need.

"Chris Ballard was chuckling with glee when Laiatu Latu fell to Indy in last year’s draft. We might see a similar reaction from him if a player some view as the top corner in the draft slips to the Colts."

Dan Parr

Luther Burden III, wide receiver

The next pick, from CBS Sports' Chris Trapasso, makes less sense. Trapasso suggested Burden, a wide receiver from Missouri, as the Colts' first round pick. It's an odd choice, because while it is true that quarterback Anthony Richardson needs more reliable targets to throw to, what the Colts are not in need of is a wide receiver.

Trapasso previously offered another wide receiver as a first round pick for Indianapolis - Ohio State's Emeka Egbuka - and the issue here is not that either player is lacking talent. Both Burden and Egbuka will likely have good NFL careers... but chances are, not with the Colts. Indianapolis has numerous talented receivers already, including Josh Downs, who was recently named one of the league's best wide receivers, as well as Alec Pierce and Michael Pittman, Jr., all excellent players who thrived in 2024.

The Colts' tight end room, meanwhile, is notoriously bad, which is why Warren has been recommended so often. Trapasso has Warren getting snapped up before the Colts can get to him, which very likely could happen. But a better option in that scenario is another tight end, like Colston Loveland, instead of a wide receiver.

"How about another shifty YAC type at receiver to pair for Year 3 of Anthony Richardson?"

Chris Trapasso