It's NFL draft month. So between now and when the first round begins, we will be highlighting prospects who could be of interest to the Indianapolis Colts.
Next up is Kansas State running back DJ Giddens.
Measureables
Height: 6-002
Weight: 212
Relative Athletic Score (RAS): 9.78
DJ Giddens is a RB prospect in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 9.78 RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 48 out of 2099 RB from 1987 to 2025.https://t.co/q8afeWZlt8pic.twitter.com/Z2XLFJmsZg
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 8, 2025
Stats to know
Giddens has 518 career rushing attempts, most of which came over the last two years at Kansas State. In 2023, Giddens would rush for 1,226 yards at 5.5 yards per rush with 10 scores. This past year, he improved on that production with 1,343 rushing yards at a hefty 6.5 yards per rush with seven touchdowns.
Among eligible running backs in 2024, Giddens was third in yards per rush, sixth in average yards after contact, 20th in missed tackles forced, and tied for 15th in rushes of 10-plus yards, according to PFF.
Along with his production in the run game, Giddens was fairly active as a pass-catcher as well. Over the last two years, Giddens had 72 targets and totaled nearly 600 receiving yards during that span with four scores. His 12.9 yards per catch in 2024 ranked 11th among running backs.
Fit with the Indianapolis Colts
At the NFL combine, GM Chris Ballard said that the Colts needed more production from the backup running backs on the roster. Last season, Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson would combine for just 88 carries the entire season, and that was with Jonathan Taylor missing three games.
Taylor, of course, is going to handle a heavy workload, but having a capable secondary option behind him can alleviate some of the carries that fall on his plate over the course of a long NFL season.
In addition to that, the Colts could also benefit from having a pass-catching presence out of the backfield as well. In 2024, Taylor ranked 51st out of 59 running backs in receptions. With this element present in the offense, it adds another dimension that defenses have to contend with.
Khalil Herbert, who the Colts signed in free agency, can hopefully help accomplish this, but on a one-year deal and in what is a loaded running back draft class, that signing shouldn't stop the Colts from further adding to this room in the NFL draft.
DJ Giddens NFL draft profile
For more on Giddens, here is what Lance Zierlein of NFL.com wrote in his scouting report:
"A productive runner with good size, ...
