The 2024 season for the Indianapolis Colts is officially over, and though they were able to end with a win, it was overall a season filled with turmoil. As the Indianapolis organization looks to the future, it will be with the same staff as usual - owner Jim Irsay elected to keep both general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen.
Because the Colts ended with a losing season, they are in the top 18 for draft picks, but they are far from in a prime position. Still, it's a chance to reset and, hopefully, get the team in the playoffs for the first time since 2020.
2025 Draft Order
- Tennessee Titans
- Cleveland Browns
- New York Giants
- New England Patriots
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- New York Jets
- Las Vegas Raiders
- Carolina Panthers
- New Orleans Saints
- Chicago Bears
- San Francisco 49ers
- Dallas Cowboys
- Miami Dolphins
- Indianapolis Colts
- Atlanta Falcons
- Arizona Cardinals
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Seattle Seahawks
What are the biggest needs for the Colts in the 2025 offseason?
The Colts have many problem areas that need to be addressed in 2025. One of the biggest is on the offensive line, and at tight end in particular. Drew Ogletree and Mo Alie-Cox are considered good blockers, but Alie-Cox is a free agent, and the Colts' other tight ends - Kylen Granson and Will Mallory - are hardly reliable. Granson, also set to be a free agent, in particular is notorious for dropping passes, and he isn't a particularly good blocker, either. Mallory shows promise, but he just finished his rookie season. The Colts need more depth at tight end, and desperately.
Part of the reason this is such an important position is because Anthony Richardson, the youngest and most inexperienced quarterback in the league, needs better protection if he is going to grow and develop. They need a tight end who can not only block, but to help in the passing game as well.
Tyler Warren from Penn State would fit the bill perfectly. He's a well-rounded tight end who can do everything the Colts need him to do
Tyler Warren blocks his man through the end zone. DOMINATION from the best TE in America pic.twitter.com/zexjrDn3aH
— LandonTengwall (@landon_tengwall) December 21, 2024
The Colts are also in desperate need to fill in the holes on their defense, with numerous positions - corner, safety, linebacker - needing help. DeForest Buckner is still a strong player, but he's also getting older. Two of their more reliable defenders, Dayo Odeyingbo and E.J. Speed, are going to be free agents, and while the defense has been struggling all around this season, the run defense in particular needs work.
Safety Malaki Starks from Georgia is fast and agile, and he's also a good blocker. He's known for making explosive plays, which is something the Colts defense sorely needs. He's tough and aggressive - again, something the Colts are currently lacking - and is already expected to be a Pro Bowl-caliber player in the NFL. He would be a great choice to shore up the defense.
Malaki Starks isn't just a safety, he's a coverage eraser. He should legitimately be considered as a Top 5 pick pic.twitter.com/H6ivFBhKRJ
— Joe DeLeone (@joedeleone) December 16, 2024