If the players are there, expect the Colts to pull the trigger.
The Indianapolis Colts weren’t great in 2025. The defense was poor, and the offense wasn’t much better. If there was a group that stood out on a less than stellar team as the worst overall unit, it had to be the tight ends. The total lack of production and playmaking ability was overly apparent. It wasn’t hard to forgot one was on the field at any particular time. Instead of serving as a safety valve for Anthony Richardson or creating mismatches for the defense, the tight ends chose to be ghosts. This has to be at the forefront of Chris Ballard’s mind as the draft approaches.
Will fans be shocked if a tight end isn’t selected in the first round? Probably not. Will they be disappointed? Most likely, especially if one of the coveted players out of the Big Ten are still on the board when the Colts make their pick. Draft experts are predicting the Colts will make a move for either Tyler Warren out of Penn State or Colston Loveland from Michigan. It is a toss up as to whether Warren will still be available at 14. If he is, expect the Colts to rush the card with his name on it.
A more likely scenario has Loveland in their reach. Mel Kiper Jr. sees this situation playing out as well. Warren has been projected to the Bears, Panthers, and teams in between. Ballard pulling the trigger to move up in the draft to get Warren seems out of the cards. Waiting for Loveland to come to him, suits Ballard better. While he isn’t afraid of trades, moving up in the first round has never occurred. Either way, Ballard has to be eyeing both players in great depth because the Colts must improve at this position. Being as ineffective as the unit was in 2024 is not an option in 2025.
Upgrade at tight end in the draft and the offense could take off. Adding one dynamic player here opens up the offense and takes pressure off the receivers. Warren or Loveland would fill this massive void immediately. Taking one of them would be incredibly enticing. Watching Ballard pass on one or both would be a tough pill to swallow. We can all hope that won’t be the case.