With the NFL combine quickly approaching, Kyle Crabbs of the 33rd Football Team put together a two-round 2025 NFL mock draft recently. So who did the Indianapolis Colts come away with?
Crabbs, with both the first and second-round selections for the Colts, wasted no time and tackled two of the team’s biggest needs.
Let’s break both of those picks down:
Pick 14: Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State
A no-brainer selection for the Colts if Warren is still available when they are on the clock at pick No. 14.
In need of a much greater passing game presence from the tight end position, Warren can certainly provide that. He was among the leaders at the tight end position last season in receiving yards with over 1,200 on the season and was a focal point of the Penn State offense with over 100 targets as well.
But in addition to his play in the passing game, Warren can impact the Colts’ offense in other ways. He’s versatile, able to line up across the formation, helping to create mismatches for not only himself but for others. He’s also a very good blocker, and when you couple all of that together, the offense gains an added level of unpredictability that defenses have to account for.
I think the biggest question when it comes to Warren and the Colts right now is, will he be available?
Pick 45: Xavier Watts, S, Notre Dame
There are multiple reasons that safety is such a pressing need for the Colts. For one, as GM Chris Ballard said, the Colts have to get better in the secondary.
In addition to that, a lot can be put on the plate of the safety position in Lou Anarumo’s defense that requires versatility and leans heavily on disguising coverages.
And lastly, the Colts need depth as well. At the moment, only Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas, and Marcel Dabo are under contract for the 2025 season.
Watts has played all over the defensive backfield in his career at Notre Dame, but would likely slot in as the free safety in the Colts defense with Cross as the strong safety.
Last season, Watts generated seven pressures as a blitzer. He made 90 of his 103 tackle, attempts, according to PFF, and in coverage, had terrific ball production with six interceptions and four pass breakups.