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Following the free agency frenzy, who did the Indianapolis Colts select in a seven-round mock draft from Ben Rolfe of Pro Football Network?
Let's react to the selections and break it all down.
A pick that makes all the sense in the world for the Colts. Warren adds that playmaking need in the passing game but he also brings a well-rounded skill set as well, able to line up across the formation and make an impact as a blocker. That do-it-all presence at the tight end position can add some unpredictability to an offense with all the hats that player can wear.
The big question, however, is whether or not Warren will be on the board when the Colts are picking.
"Tyler Warren to the Indianapolis Colts might be the most common player-team pair in mock drafts worldwide," wrote Rolfe. "Warren is a fearless competitor, dominant in the run game, and a physical yet savvy receiver with dangerous run-after-the-catch potential. He is a dominant and instinctive playmaker, and his positional versatility makes him a weapon on all three downs, adding to his value at the next level."
I do like that Rolfe went offensive line here. Any potential success for the Colts' offense begins and ends with the play up front, and right now, depth is needed, and competition at right guard wouldn't be a bad thing either.
Wyatt played almost 3,000 snaps over four seasons. He was dominant in 2024, allowing just six pressures and no sacks over 356 pass-blocking snaps and was one of PFF's highest-graded run-blockers as well.
"Wyatt Milum offers a safe projection at guard but comes with a limited upside," wrote Rolfe. "However, the Colts could do with adding stability to this unit as a priority because a swing and a miss on a high-upside prospect could put them in a tough spot in 2025."
A starter next to Zaire Franklin is needed. Maybe Jaylon Carlies can be that player, but competition to earn that playing time should be a part of that equation.
Carter has graded out well against the run in his career, and in coverage has allowed over 13 yards per catch the last two years, a completion rate of 63%, with three pass breakups. He's also been a productive blitzer, according to PFF.
"Barrett Carter feels like the forgotten man among linebacker prospects," Rolfe wrote. "There is some element of prospect fatigue with him, but that should not detract from the fact he could be a Day 1 starter for any team that drafts him. Carter is far from a perfect product, but he has experience and can both rush the passer and drop into coverage without being a liability in either situation."
Back to the offensive line, which again, is not a bad idea. Tanor Bortolini will be the starting center, but what this addition does is it looks to improve the depth behind him with competition for Danny Pinter
Majors ranked among the best in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric. For what it's worth, he graded out as a more effective pass-protector than a run-blocker. Majors played over 3,700 college snaps.
Wide receiver is far from a pressing need for the Colts, so this could be one of those instances where Chris Ballard would simply be taking the best player available.
Bryant is listed at 6-3 - 200 pounds and was a big play threat for Illinois last season, averaging 18.2 yards per catch. Of note, Alec Pierce is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
The Colts have carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man the past two seasons under Shane Steichen and, as of now, the only other quarterback option on the roster behind Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones is Jason Bean. Rourke could add competition for that final roster spot and provide the Cotls with a developmental player at the position.
Rourke completed 69% of his passes last season at an impressive 9.4 yards per attempt with 29 touchdowns to five interceptions.
This year's running back class is way too good not to be adding to this position. The addition of Khalil Herbert in free agency shouldn't stop Ballard from making an addition either. Greater production from the backup running backs is needed and so is a pass-catching element here.
Mullings averaged 5.1 yards per rush in 2024, although he was rarely used in the passing game with only eight targets.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Gut reactions to Colts picks in latest 7-round mock
Continue reading...
Let's react to the selections and break it all down.
Pick 14: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
A pick that makes all the sense in the world for the Colts. Warren adds that playmaking need in the passing game but he also brings a well-rounded skill set as well, able to line up across the formation and make an impact as a blocker. That do-it-all presence at the tight end position can add some unpredictability to an offense with all the hats that player can wear.
The big question, however, is whether or not Warren will be on the board when the Colts are picking.
"Tyler Warren to the Indianapolis Colts might be the most common player-team pair in mock drafts worldwide," wrote Rolfe. "Warren is a fearless competitor, dominant in the run game, and a physical yet savvy receiver with dangerous run-after-the-catch potential. He is a dominant and instinctive playmaker, and his positional versatility makes him a weapon on all three downs, adding to his value at the next level."
Pick 45: Wyatt Milum, G, West Virginia
I do like that Rolfe went offensive line here. Any potential success for the Colts' offense begins and ends with the play up front, and right now, depth is needed, and competition at right guard wouldn't be a bad thing either.
Wyatt played almost 3,000 snaps over four seasons. He was dominant in 2024, allowing just six pressures and no sacks over 356 pass-blocking snaps and was one of PFF's highest-graded run-blockers as well.
"Wyatt Milum offers a safe projection at guard but comes with a limited upside," wrote Rolfe. "However, the Colts could do with adding stability to this unit as a priority because a swing and a miss on a high-upside prospect could put them in a tough spot in 2025."
Pick 80: Barrett Carter, LB, Clemson
A starter next to Zaire Franklin is needed. Maybe Jaylon Carlies can be that player, but competition to earn that playing time should be a part of that equation.
Carter has graded out well against the run in his career, and in coverage has allowed over 13 yards per catch the last two years, a completion rate of 63%, with three pass breakups. He's also been a productive blitzer, according to PFF.
"Barrett Carter feels like the forgotten man among linebacker prospects," Rolfe wrote. "There is some element of prospect fatigue with him, but that should not detract from the fact he could be a Day 1 starter for any team that drafts him. Carter is far from a perfect product, but he has experience and can both rush the passer and drop into coverage without being a liability in either situation."
Pick 117: Jake Majors, C, Texas
Back to the offensive line, which again, is not a bad idea. Tanor Bortolini will be the starting center, but what this addition does is it looks to improve the depth behind him with competition for Danny Pinter
Majors ranked among the best in PFF's pass-blocking efficiency metric. For what it's worth, he graded out as a more effective pass-protector than a run-blocker. Majors played over 3,700 college snaps.
Pick 151: Pat Bryant, WR, Illinois
Wide receiver is far from a pressing need for the Colts, so this could be one of those instances where Chris Ballard would simply be taking the best player available.
Bryant is listed at 6-3 - 200 pounds and was a big play threat for Illinois last season, averaging 18.2 yards per catch. Of note, Alec Pierce is entering the final year of his rookie deal.
Pick 189: Kurtis Rourke, QB, Indiana
The Colts have carried three quarterbacks on the 53-man the past two seasons under Shane Steichen and, as of now, the only other quarterback option on the roster behind Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones is Jason Bean. Rourke could add competition for that final roster spot and provide the Cotls with a developmental player at the position.
Rourke completed 69% of his passes last season at an impressive 9.4 yards per attempt with 29 touchdowns to five interceptions.
Pick 232: Kalel Mullings, RB, Michigan
This year's running back class is way too good not to be adding to this position. The addition of Khalil Herbert in free agency shouldn't stop Ballard from making an addition either. Greater production from the backup running backs is needed and so is a pass-catching element here.
Mullings averaged 5.1 yards per rush in 2024, although he was rarely used in the passing game with only eight targets.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Gut reactions to Colts picks in latest 7-round mock
Continue reading...
