The Colts’ pair of ideal draft picks would be two impact pieces for new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
According to NFL.com’s Chad Reuter, two ideal picks for the Indianapolis Colts ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft are Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell and Oregon edge Jordan Burch within the first two rounds:
Indianapolis Colts
Round 1: No. 14 overall: Jihaad Campbell, LB, Alabama
Round 2: No. 45 overall: Jordan Burch, Edge, Oregon
Campbell’s ability to defend the run, move in coverage and rush the passer bolsters the team’s linebacker corps after the departure of E.J. Speed. Burch’s 6-4, 279-pound frame makes up for the loss of Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency, as well; these selections would give Indy two players who could help make the Colts defense the “all-time unit” leading tackler Zaire Franklin desires. Look for the team to get value in the third or fourth round at two dire positions of need: tight end and interior offensive line.
Regarding Campbell, the 6’3,” 235 pound (32 1/2” arms) junior linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide recorded 117 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks, an interception, 2 passes defensed, 2 forced fumbles, and a fumble recovery during 13 starts.
He earned First-Team All-SEC honors this past season.
Having recently seen starting linebacker E.J. Speed leave to the Houston Texans in free agency, Campbell could potentially be in play for the Colts with the 14th overall pick—staring alongside 2nd-team NFL All-Pro Zaire Franklin and providing new Indy defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo a dynamic piece to work with in the 2nd level.
Per NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah:
Jihaad Campbell
Alabama · LB · Junior
Campbell is a tall, rangy and explosive linebacker. He was recruited to Alabama as an edge rusher but initially moved to linebacker because of the Crimson Tide’s depth on the edges (SEE: Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner, among others). This past season, he played both off the ball and on the edge. As an off-ball linebacker, he doesn’t possess elite instincts but offers excellent speed and physicality. He can range sideline to sideline and flashes the ability to thump off blockers and collect tackles on inside runs. He displays exciting tools in his pass-rush opportunities off the edge. He can burst/bend and finish. He also grew more comfortable in coverage throughout the 2024 season. He anticipates routes and positions himself to make plays on the ball. Overall, Campbell expands the playbook for defensive coordinators and his best football is ahead of him.
Otherwise, Burch is a 6’4,” 279 pound (with 33” arms) senior edge out of Oregon, who recorded 31 tackles (13 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during 10 starts—as he was awarded Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
While the Colts don’t necessarily have a glaring deficiency at defensive end, it is an area that could withstand some meaningful improvement—as Indianapolis finished with 36.0 total sacks last year, which was tied for the 7th least among all NFL defenses in 2024.
Some of that could be attributed to some secondary holes, but the Colts felt the loss of starting defensive end Samson Ebukam and some injuries to DeForest Buckner inside.
Burch’s NFL.com draft profile comparison is coincidentally Colts’ departed versatile free agent defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo, who they may look to replace rotationally come draft weekend early on:
“Burch’s tape can be inconsistent, but he offers physical traits and upside as a rusher. As a run defender, his length and play strength flashes, but he simply doesn’t play with the block destruction or aggression you want to see for a player of his size. As a pass rusher, he’s a more energetic player with good get-off, long strides and the bend to turn the corner or unleash a bull-rush. He needs to work on adding skill to his hands and becoming more creative as a rusher to create quick wins. Burch leaves too many plays on the field, but the upside will have teams anxious to light the fire and get more out of him.”