Who should the Colts take a closer look at after the Combine?

Another NFL Combine in the books and, of course, Indianapolis continues to show its prowess to handle large events. There is not a better city in this country to tackle these major events. The NFL Combine will return to Indianapolis in 2026, and, hopefully, beyond that. All right - enough of the bragging about our city, and on to some analysis. The Colts did bring in some notable names for their main combine interviews.

Most were expected, and the positions should bring a little reassurance as to the plan for the upcoming 2025 season. Let’s look at the names they brought in, but then mention the names they may want to expand in their pool of prospects for this April’s NFL Draft. We will start on the offensive side of the ball.

Offensive Player Interviews:

• TE Tyler Warren/Penn State
• TE Colston Loveland/Michigan
• RB Ashton Jeanty/Boise State
• RB Ollie Gordon/Oklahoma State
• QB Quinn Ewers/Texas

If there is one thing we can all agree on here, it's that they interviewed not only potentially great prospects, but all of these are areas of need. It shows that Ballard recognizes where the true holes in this football team are. It’s evident the need at these three positions on the offensive side. I think the fanbase would be happy if a trio of combinations joined this team; let’s look further at each position to where else they might look.

Tight End

Terrance Ferguson/Oregon

If the Colts are unable or choose not to draft either Loveland or Warren, it's not the end of the world, as the tight end class is deep. Ferguson would be a terrific backup plan for the franchise. It’s redundant, but he has everything the front office and coaching staff look for. Size (6’5 247), speed (4.6), and he is a receiving tight end. With the coming turnover this season at the position, the need for a true separator and “toy” for Richardson is needed.

Running Back

Bhayshul Tuten/Virginia Tech

The star of the running backs at the combine. He was the best among running backs in the 40-yard dash and vertical jump, and tied for second on broad jump. He is a bit undersized for the position, but his athleticism is what stood out in Indianapolis. He was an HBCU transfer from North Carolina A&T, and finished at Virginia Tech. His ability to catch the ball out of the backfield makes him an expendable as well. His best trait seems to be how much he has constantly improved every year. Tuten will need to clean up his ball security issues, but he is coachable, and that will bode well in Indianapolis.

Quarterback

Tyler Shough/Louisville

Outside of Ole Miss QB Jaxson Dart jumping up draft boards, it looks like both Ewers and Slough helped their draft stock. Since the Colts already have interviewed Ewers, let’s put Shough on this list. I have stated that I am a fan of Kurtis Rourke ending up in a Colts uniform, but with his ACL injury, it appears he may fall even deeper, into Day 3 of the draft.

Shough looked like he was ready for the next level and, at a minimum, ready to compete. He was given mostly a Day 3 grade before the combine, but his performance seemed to open some eyes to the scouts. He was prepared, and he showed some decent speed where others did not. He is much older than most, as he will be nearly 26 years old by the time he is drafted. Ballard wants competition, and this is a seasoned college quarterback that was well coached under Jeff Brohm at Louisville.