Indianapolis Colts 2025 NFL Mock Draft: Elite corner, big safety bolsters secondary

The Indianapolis Colts are off to an 0-2 start, but Shane Steichen’s team played well and could easily be 2-0 after close, tough losses to the Houston Texans and on the road to the Green Bay Packers.

The upside is second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson is showing promise as the team’s QB of the future.  In two games, Richardson has thrown for 416 yards with three touchdowns and 4 interceptions, 3 of which coming against the Packers in Week 2.  In all, the Colt’s offense has some things to work out, but they showed they can play toe-to-toe with a team like the Texans.

With Jonathan Taylor in the backfield and wide receiver Josh Downs returning to the field alongside Michael Pittman Jr., the offense will be fine as the season moves forward, but the Colts’ defense needs major improvement.  Ranked 31st in the NFL in total defense, much of the issue lies in the rushing defense with the Colts giving up 237.0 rushing yards per game.  The team has the bodies to get better in that respect, but it’s something to keep an eye on as the season moves forward.

As far as 2025 NFL Draft needs, the Colts will look to address the secondary despite defensive line struggles against the run.  There are draft prospects who have the skillset to move up in the box and help in that area if it continues to be a glaring weakness for the Colts.  Other areas of need could depend on the status of key free agents like safety Julian Blackmon, DE Dayo Odeyingbo, center Ryan Kelly and LB E.J. Speed. 

Current state of the Indianapolis Colts

• 2024 NFL season record: 0-2, 2nd in the AFC South

• Team offense: Rank 14th  (320.5 yards per game)

• Team defense: Rank 31st (400.0 yards per game)

• 2025 NFL Draft position: No. 2

• Top positional needs: TE, S, CB

2025 NFL Draft outlook

Wherever the Colts end up selecting in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, they should be able to find themselves an elite cornerback prospect given the depth at that position.  If they do end up with a top 10 pick, corners like Michigan’s Will Johnson, Notre Dame’s Benjamin Morrison, Colorado’s Travis Hunter and Ohio State duo Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock are among the top prospects.  Options in the middle-to-late round or Day 2 options include East Carolina’s Shavon Revel, Arizona’s Tecario Davis and Washington’s Ephesians Prysock.  All these players have the size and skillset that could bolster the Colts’ secondary.

With another area of need coming in the defensive secondary, safety prospects like Penn State’s Kevin Winston Jr, and Iowa’s Xavier Nwankpa are intriguing options.  If the Colts decide to address an offensive need, adding a tight end to the mix could also entice the Colts’ front office.  Here’s a look at what the Colts will do in this three-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft early edition.

Colorado’s Travis Hunter will be an enticing selection for any team selecting in the top 5 of the 2025 NFL Draft, but the Colts go with Michigan’s Will Johnson with the No. 2 overall pick. 

Ranked as the top cornerback in the 2025 Draft class in the early part of the college football season, the 6-foot-2, 202-pound Johnson is elite when it comes to speed and acceleration when going up against top wide receivers. His combination of size and physicality will give the Colts a press cornerback to has the ability and instinctive nature as a cornerback to rise to the top of the NFL quickly.  The Colts finally find their lock-down corner with this Michigan star.

The Colts will be tempted to double dip at cornerback as there will still be some intriguing names available, but Indianapolis address their need at safety with the selection of South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori with the No. 33 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. 

The Colts could trade back in the second round to nab Emmanwori, but this will still be a solid pick early on Day 2.  At 6-foot-3, 227 pounds, Emmanwori also adds size and speed to the Colts’ secondary.  His versatility and elite tackling ability gives the Colts a multi-faceted defender who would help supplement what the team is building in the front seven.

The Colts give Anthony Richardson another playmaker with the selection of tight end Oscar Delp with the No. 73 overall pick in the draft.  When it comes to pass-catching tight ends, the 2025 NFL Draft class will have some talent. 

Delp played behind Brock Bowers in 2023 but given his chance to shine as the top tight end in 2024, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Georgia-native has the type of athleticism and versatility to work the slot or flex out wide. He will form a nice tight end duo with Kylen Granson and his ability to create mismatches should open things up for Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and 2023 NFL Draft second round pick Adonai Mitchell.