Colts general manager Chris Ballard says the Colts did some growing up this weekend with their eight selections in the 2025 NFL Draft.
“(They’re) all productive men with an element of toughness and maturity that we wanted to add,” he said.
Indy entered the final day of the draft with four picks to their name. In the end, they wound up with five new players to go with first-round pick Tyler Warren and their two day two selections, JT Tuimoloau and Justin Walley.
The theme of the third and final day was competition throughout the depth chart. Immediate starters rarely last into day three anyways, but the Colts picked up players who will compete for their spot on the roster.
Round 4, Pick 127 - Jalen Travis, OL, Iowa State
Indianapolis initially held the 117th pick in the fourth round, but traded back ten spots with the Rams, adding an extra six-round pick this year in the process.
At No. 127, Ballard picked up some depth in the trenches with Iowa State’s Jalen Travis, a player who’s on brand for a Ballard offensive lineman.
The 23-year-old said the Colts had been big believers in him right from the jump, especially offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr.
“He has great pedigree in this league…I’m excited to get to work with him,” Travis said.
The former Cyclone is a massive human being. Travis stands at 6-foot-8 and carries 339 pounds on his frame. Despite that, he’s extremely athletic. Travis recorded a 9.08 RAS score after putting up excellent testing numbers.
That athleticism provides him the positional versatility to play at either tackle or guard in the NFL.
Looking at the bigger picture for the Colts, Travis could be a potential replacement to right tackle Braden Smith, who has one year left on his contract. So there’s a road to starting snaps for Travis if things go well.
At the very least, Travis will provide excellent depth and versatility on the line of scrimmage. But he’s coming into the league understanding he hasn’t earned anything yet.
“I don’t have any expectations…I’m ready to come in to work,” he said. “I’m going to make sure that I’m putting my best foot forward.”
Round 5, Pick 151 - DJ Giddens, RB, Kansas State
Depth behind Jonathan Taylor has been a priority for Ballard this offseason. He signed Khalil Herbert in free agency, and added another talent in Kansas State’s DJ Giddens.
Although he’s 212 pounds, Giddens is an explosive rusher out of the backfield. He rushed for 1,343 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry, showcasing a blend of power and shiftiness despite his rocked up frame.
But Giddens believes in himself and his ability to be a balanced back.
“I’m a three-down back,” he said. “My blocking, my catching, my running, I have confidence in all those things.”
Like most players drafted by Ballard, Giddens posted great testing numbers, resulting in a 9.78 RAS score. Most impressive was his 10-yard split of 1.49 seconds.
Giddens has the burst to shoot through gaps and pick up chunks of yardage at a time. He will be the perfect complement to Taylor’s home run-hitting style.
He can even contribute as a pass catcher. Giddens corralled 58 career catches for 679 yards (11.7 yards per catch). His ability in the receiving game was attractive to Steichen.
The production he’s had the last couple years has been impressive to watch,” he said. “If he can catch the ball out of the backfield (that’s) big for our team as well.”
Round 6, Picks 189 - Riley Leonard, QB, Notre Dame
After signing Daniel Jones in free agency as competition for Anthony Richardson at the quarterback position, Ballard adds another passer in Riley Leonard, who’s staying in-state.
“There’s nowhere else I’d rather be than back in Indiana,” he said.
Leonard is likely to take over the QB3 spot which was previously occupied by Sam Ehlinger. Like when Ballard took Ehlinger in 2021, the thought process behind this pick seems to be the same.
One of the things Indy liked about Ehlinger when he was coming out was that he was “a winner.” Leonard is the same, having just brought the Fighting Irish back to a national championship game appearance for the first time since 2013.
The passing mechanics for Leonard are all over the place and need significant refinement; he’s always been more effective with his legs. Although the traits are a work in progress, head coach Shane Steichen sung Leonard’s praises for being such a playmaker.
“I think the athleticism that he has, what he was able to do at Notre Dame this year speaks volumes to the player and competitor that he is.”
On the path to the national title game, Leonard rushed for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns with Notre Dame. His toughness is infectious and shows his high character.
Leonard told the media he knows there’s plenty of areas where he needs to improve, and the situation he lands in can’t be any better.
Leonard and Jones both spent time at Duke, a mutual connection which has helped them get to know each other well before this weekend.
Round 6, Pick 190 - Tim Smith, DT, Alabama
Using the pick acquired in their earlier trade back, Indianapolis grabs a run-defending defensive tackle in Tim Smith.
Smith will compete to be the backup one-technique behind Grover Stewart, and in all likelihood, have a rotational role as a rookie. He knows his game very well, and shares similarities with Stewart.
“I’m big, strong and physical up front,” Smith said. “I love the double teams, I live for them.”
The Gifford, Florida native’s stats show his excellence against the run. Only 6.5 career sacks, but Smith made 15 tackles for loss playing as a nose tackle.
The Colts defensive coaching staff had the privilege to work with Smith up close at the Senior Bowl, where their affinity for him began to grow.
They got a lot of exposure to the personality, who he was and what his talent level is…they were pretty driven to get Tim.”
While run defense appears to be where Smith will find a home, Ballard thinks he can play as more of a three-technique as well, which could make Smith a valuable weapon down the line.
Round 7, Pick 232 - Hunter Wohler, S, Wisconsin
Ballard ends the draft by taking a play from his alma mater.
Adding safety depth is a wise choice for the Colts. While they do have a starting duo of Nick Cross and Camryn Bynum locked in, Indy needs more behind them.
Former seventh-round pick Rodney Thomas II hasn’t made progress off a strong rookie season and Daniel Scott is yet to play a snap as injuries have interfered with his availability in his first two seasons.
Wohler is a big-bodied player who, at 6-foot-2 and 213 pounds, has the potential to beef up and move down to linebacker, which Ballard confirmed.
“We think he’ll be able to play multiple roles,” Ballard said, adding the Colts will run much more dime packages under Anarumo. “He’ll play a little bit of both (linebacker and safety).”
The seven rounds are complete, but the work for Ballard and the Colts is only just beginning. The undrafted free agent frenzy is in full swing as the Colts try to bring more prospects in before their rookie minicamp May 9-10.
