The 2025 NFL Combine kicks off this upcoming week. So let’s preview the event through the Indianapolis Colts’ lens, starting with the running back position.
For a deeper dive into the combine specifically and what you need to know from the Colts’ perspective, click here.
What’s the need for the Colts at running back?
The Colts will, at a minimum, have to bolster the depth at running back this offseason. At the moment, the only running backs under contract for 2025 are Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Goodson, and Salvon Ahmed. Trey Sermon is set to be a free agent once again.
However, GM Chris Ballard should be much more intentional in how he goes about adding to this position group this offseason, and the draft will be a good place to do that this year. The consensus says that this year’s running back class is absolutely loaded. In fact, ESPN draft analyst Jordan Reid has 33 running backs with draftable grades.
Last season, the backup combination of Sermon and Goodson would only total 88 carries on the season, according to PFF. While Taylor has shown he can handle a heavy workload, having a more reliable backup option can help reduce the wear and tear on Taylor over the course of a season.
In addition to that, this Colts’ offense could benefit from a pass-catching presence out of the backfield–something that they just do not have right now. When a defense also has to worry about that element, it adds another dimension to an offense by further opening up the playbook, giving the defense something else to account for, and that can force a defense to defend the entire field.
What does the Colts current running back depth chart look like?
Jonathan Taylor
Tyler Goodson
Salvon Ahmed
Which running backs were invited to the NFL combine?
LeQuint Allen, Syracuse
Ulysses Bentley IV, Mississippi
Jaydon Blue, Texas
Tahj Brooks, Texas Tech
Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Trevor Etienne, Georgia
DJ Giddens, Kansas State
Ollie Gordon II, Oklahoma State
Omarion Hampton, North Carolina
RJ Harvey, UCF
TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State
Jarquez Hunter, Auburn
Ja’Quinden Jackson, Arkansas
Jordan James, Oregon
Ashton Jeanty, Boise State
Kaleb Johnson, Iowa
Montrell Johnson Jr., Florida
Quinshon Judkins, Ohio State
Corey Kiner, Cincinnati
Phil Mafah, Clemson
Woody Marks, USC
Damien Martinez, Miami
Kyle Monangai, Rutgers
Kalel Mullings, Michigan
Devin Neal, Kansas
Dylan Sampson, Tennessee
Raheim Sanders, South Carolina
Cam Skattebo, Arizona State
Brashard Smith, SMU
Bhayshul Tuten, Virginia Tech
Marcus Yarns, Delaware