Indianapolis Colts GM Chris Ballard wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Charvarius Ward was close to securing a free-agent deal with an NFL franchise that’s just a two-hour drive away from his hometown of McComb, Miss., until Ballard made one final push.
“Originally, I thought I was going to New Orleans because the deal was almost done,” Ward said last week on Indianapolis’ 107.5 The Fan. “Then the Colts, they realized how great of a player I am, and they came in and kind of beat out the Saints at the last minute.”
Ward, who’s spent the last three years of his career with the San Francisco 49ers, never disclosed what exactly pushed Indianapolis over the top. But his contract speaks for itself: three years, $60 million with $35 million guaranteed.
That’s not how Ballard operates, at least not the old one. This new Ballard made more splashes during the first wave of free agency than in any season of his nine-year tenure in Indianapolis. Ward is the headliner, but the additions of safety Camryn Bynum and Daniel Jones were also significant signings. Of course, there are still roster needs for him to address. But now that most of the free agency dust has settled, let’s take a look at how the 2025 Colts are shaping up ahead of the NFL Draft.
Quarterback
Already here: Anthony Richardson, Jason Bean
Joining: Daniel Jones
TBD: Sam Ehlinger, Joe Flacco
2025 outlook: Ballard declared an open QB competition at the NFL Scouting Combine, and Richardson and Jones will be at the center of it. Richardson, the 2023 No. 4 pick, probably has a leg up on Jones, who signed a one-year, $14 million deal, since he’s heading into his third season in coach Shane Steichen’s offense. However, Jones should have plenty of opportunities to prove himself when the first-string reps are presumably split during OTAs and training camp.
“I’ve had a lot of fun (watching) and a lot of respect for Anthony,” Jones said last week. “Watching him, I think he’s certainly a talented young player, and I think the competition aspect of it brings out the best in everybody. I think we’re both interested in helping this team win games and (doing) whatever we can do to help that happen.”
The scary part about this scenario is that neither QB feels like a good option because neither has consistently proven to be a good player. Richardson has missed 17 games due to injury through his first two seasons, and his 47.7 completion percentage in 2024 ranked last in the NFL. Jones, who did win a playoff game in 2022, was 24-44-1 in 69 regular-season starts across six years with the Giants. He hasn’t thrown more than 15 touchdown passes in a season since his rookie year in 2019.
Aside from Jones and Richardson, it remains unclear what other moves the Colts could make at QB. They’ve kept three quarterbacks on the roster in recent years, but bringing back Ehlinger or Flacco doesn’t make a ton of sense considering Ehlinger’s physical limits as a passer and Flacco’s age. Perhaps Indianapolis will draft and stash a young QB for development.
Running backs
Already here: Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Goodson, Salvon Ahmed
Joining: Khalil Herbert
TBD: Trey Sermon
2025 outlook: Taylor will continue carrying the bulk of the workload after rushing for 1,431 yards and 11 TDs en route to securing his second Pro Bowl nod in 2024. However, Herbert was a necessary addition to hopefully keep Taylor, who’s missed at least three games due to injury over the past three years, fresh in what should still be a run-first offense. Herbert has averaged 4.8 yards per carry for his career, and he thrived in Chicago when he was paired with dual-threat QB Justin Fields.
“I feel like I could do everything,” Herbert said last week. “Short-yardage, outside (or) inside zone … catching the ball out of the backfield, pass (protection), I’ve been asked to do it all, and I feel like I can do it well.”
Herbert, who signed a one-year deal, has recorded 53 catches for 312 yards and two receiving TDs in his NFL career, but I still think the Colts need to add another pass-catching running back via the draft. It’s not a Day 1 or 2 need, though I’d be surprised if Indy didn’t choose a running back on Day 3.
Wide receivers
Already here: Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, AD Mitchell, Anthony Gould, D.J. Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell, Ajou Ajou
Joining/returning: Ashton Dulin
Leaving: Juwann Winfree
2025 outlook: Dulin returns to a wide receiver room that I’m not too concerned about. He’ll continue to serve as a core special teamer, earning second-team All-Pro honors as a gunner in 2021, while giving the Colts quality depth at the position. Pittman had a down season while playing with a fractured back in 2024, and I expect him to rebound in 2025. Downs has convinced me he’s a budding star, and Pierce is coming off a career year. Mitchell really struggled as a rookie, but after being put through the wringer, I’m curious to see how he’ll respond. The 22-year-old said at the end of the season that nothing can shake his confidence, and if the lights come on for him in 2025, the Colts’ wide receiver group should be in great shape.
Tight ends
Already here: Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory, Jelani Woods, Sean McKeon, Albert Okwuegbunam
Leaving: Kylen Granson (Eagles)
TBD: Mo Alie-Cox
2025 outlook: The Colts don’t have a starting tight end. Neither Ogletree nor Mallory have shown the potential to shoulder that responsibility, and Woods — a third-round pick in 2022 — has missed the last two seasons due to injury. I think Indianapolis should draft a tight end on Day 1 or Day 2. Penn State’s Tyler Warren sits atop my wish list (and perhaps Indy’s, too), but Michigan’s Colston Loveland, LSU’s Mason Taylor and Texas’ Gunnar Helm could all be good fits with the Colts, as well. The jury is still out on whether Alie-Cox will return, though I’m not opposed to bringing him back, as long as he isn’t the No. 1 option and will be utilized primarily as a blocker.
Offensive line
Already here: LT Bernhard Raimann, LG Quenton Nelson, C Tanor Bortolini, OL Matt Goncalves, RT Braden Smith, G Atonio Mafi, G Josh Sills, G Dalton Tucker, OT Blake Freeland, OT Luke Tenuta, OT Jack Wilson
Returning: C Wesley French, OL Danny Pinter
Leaving: C Ryan Kelly (Vikings), RG Will Fries (Vikings)
TBD: G Mark Glowinski
2025 outlook: The Colts’ starting offensive line is poised to have two new starters. The departures of Kelly and Fries are significant even if, in Kelly’s case, it was expected. During the final year of Kelly’s tenure in Indianapolis, I never got the impression he and the Colts were going to hammer out an extension. Fries essentially priced himself out of Indianapolis’ market with a five-year, $88 million deal in Minnesota, so it’s not shocking that he moved on, too.
Kelly’s replacement is presumably Bortolini, a fourth-round pick last year who played well in his five starts, but Fries’ replacement is unclear. My guess is that Goncalves, who started eight games combined last year at both tackle spots, would move to right guard. After all, that’s what The Athletic’s draft guru, Dan Brugler, suggested during Goncalves’ pre-draft evaluation.
“Goncalves has several skills that will translate to tackle in the NFL, but a move inside to guard as a phone-booth blocker should better accentuate his size, strength and play style,” Brugler wrote last year.
In addition to re-signing French and Pinter, I’d expect the Colts to add more depth along its offensive line via free agency and the draft. Plus, if the team doesn’t think Goncalves is ready to start at right guard, then it may want to sign a proven veteran in free agency or draft a plug-and-play prospect.
Defensive line
Already here: DE Kwity Paye, DE Laiatu Latu, DT DeForest Buckner, DT Grover Stewart, DE Samson Ebukam, DE Tyquan Lewis, DE Durell Nchami, DT Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT Pheldarius Payne
Joining: DT Neville Gallimore
Leaving: DE Dayo Odeyingbo (Bears)
TBD: DT Raekwon Davis (released), DT Taven Bryan
2025 outlook: Don’t hold your breath for Cincinnati Bengals star Trey Hendrickson. The Athletic’s Dianna Russini recently reported that the Bengals and Hendrickson are trying to work out an extension to keep him in Cincinnati. Pairing him with former Bengals DC Lou Anarumo, who now holds that same position in Indianapolis, is a fun idea but always seemed like a long shot. On a more realistic scale, I think the Colts must bolster their defensive line depth, especially after Odeyingbo inked a three-year, $48 million with the Bears. His production took a dip last year, but Odeyingbo was still one of the Colts’ most reliable — he hasn’t missed a game in three years — and versatile defensive linemen. Adding Gallimore, who comes over from the Rams, and cutting Davis isn’t enough to reinforce the trenches.
Ballard also suggested Ebukam, who missed all of last year with a torn Achilles, could be a vital part of Anarumo’s new-look defense. If I had to pick Ballard’s worst offseason decision so far, it would be this one. Ebukam will turn 30 in May, and banking on a player his age and his position to come back and be a difference-maker seems foolish. The Colts could create $6.5 million in cap space versus $4 million in dead money by cutting Ebukam. But again, when Ballard spoke at the combine, the vibe I got was that Ebukam wasn’t going anywhere.
Linebackers
Already here: Zaire Franklin, Jaylon Carlies, Segun Olubi, Cameron McGrone, Liam Anderson, Austin Ajiake, Jacob Phillips
Leaving: Grant Stuard (Lions)
TBD: E.J. Speed
2025 outlook: I expect the Colts to draft a linebacker, a position Ballard has scouted well in the past, and it could happen pretty early depending on how the board shakes out. Indianapolis needs an upgrade next to Franklin, a second-team All-Pro last year, and preferably someone who excels in pass coverage. Franklin and Speed were both exploited across the middle of the field in 2024, which leads me to believe the Colts won’t retain Speed. Indy could always turn to Carlies, the former safety turned linebacker, to assume a starting role. However, it would be negligent, in my opinion, to not bring in more competition before simply moving Carlies up the depth chart. Keep in mind that Carlies missed seven games last year due to injury. Stuard is a notable but manageable loss on special teams, so it shouldn’t be too tough for the Colts to find a cost-friendly replacement in free agency.
Cornerbacks
Already here: Kenny Moore II, Jaylon Jones, Sam Womack III, JuJu Brents, Alex Johnson
Joining/returning: Charvarius Ward, Corey Ballentine, David Long Jr.
2025 outlook: Ward is the crown jewel of the Colts’ free agency haul. The 28-year-old has started in three Super Bowls, winning one with the Chiefs during the 2019 season, and 17 playoff games overall. He’s coming off a difficult 2024 campaign, which included the death of his 1-year-old daughter in October. Ward said he suffered from PTSD while in California and needed a fresh start. Now that he has a new NFL home, he’s eager to shut down any airspace in his vicinity.
“I’m just ready to go out and show that I’m one of the best corners in the game again,” Ward said last week. “Because the year before that I was (a second-team All-Pro). … A lot of bad things happened last year, and I’m just hungry, and I’m ready to prove myself.”
Ward brings much-needed experience to a Colts cornerback room that hasn’t had much of it in recent years. He immediately takes over as the top outside cornerback, and with Moore manning the slot, that leaves Jones, Womack and Brents to duke it out for the other outside starting spot. Ballard vowed to add more competition to the roster, and Ward’s arrival will definitely promote that. Ballentine, 28, offers depth and experience, as well.
Safeties
Already here: Nick Cross, Rodney Thomas II, Daniel Scott, Marcel Dabo
Joining: Cam Bynum
TBD: Julian Blackmon, Trevor Denbow, Ronnie Harrison Jr.
2025 outlook: Bynum gives the Colts stability on the backend for the first time in years. He’ll presumably line up at free safety next to Cross, who will start at strong safety. Bynum’s arrival likely means the team won’t retain Blackmon. A third-round pick by the Colts in 2020, Blackmon has proven he’s a good player, but he hasn’t stayed healthy enough to be relied upon consistently. Bynum, on the other hand, hasn’t missed a game in three years and is another high-IQ playmaker for Anarumo to utilize. The 26-year-old, known for his choreographed turnover celebrations, has eight interceptions and 28 pass breakups through his first four seasons.
“It’s always about the ball,” Bynum said Monday. “You get graded, you get paid based on how many times you can touch the ball and take the ball away, and that’s something I’ve been able to do in my career.”
Specialists
Already here: K Matt Gay, P Rigoberto Sanchez, LS Luke Rhodes
Joining: K Spencer Shrader
2025 outlook: Shrader inked a two-year deal with the Colts, per a league source, and will provide some offseason competition for Gay. Since coming to Indy in 2023, Gay has made just 82.1% of his field-goal attempts during his first two years, compared to 92.5% across his prior three seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. All six of Gay’s missed field goals in 2024 were from 50-plus yards, so while that isn’t ideal, it’s hard for me to see the team replacing Gay with Shrader unless Gay really struggles this offseason.
Shrader started his NFL career with the Colts last year and was 5-for-5 on field goals before he left to kick for the New York Jets and Kansas City Chiefs during his rookie campaign. However, unlike Gay, he never logged a field-goal attempt of 50-plus yards and can’t be trusted to consistently make them either. The date to keep an eye on regarding Gay is June 1, which is when his contract gets interesting. If he struggles a lot in camp, the Colts could release Gay after June 1 and create $4.74 million in cap space versus just $2 million in dead money.
(Photo: Matthew O’Haren / Imagn Images)
