Following free agency, what is the Indianapolis Colts' biggest remaining position of need that they have to address in the NFL draft?
The Athletic recently had each of their 32 NFL beat writers weigh in with their selections for the respective teams they cover. For the Colts, James Boyd selected the tight end position.
"The Colts desperately need to upgrade at tight end, and they’ll likely target one in the draft. Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory are currently atop the depth chart, but that likely won’t hold up for the 2025 season since neither has shown signs of being a No. 1 option. Jelani Woods was supposed to be Indianapolis’ long-term answer at tight end — using his 6-foot-7, 253-pound frame and speed to create constant mismatches — though the 2022 third-round pick has missed the last two seasons due to injury."
Tight end was a big need before free agency, and it remains that way after not being addressed. With that said, I don't think that anyone should be surprised that GM Chris Ballard didn't sign a tight end this offseason. This year's free agent class at tight end was not the best, while this year's draft class has a lot of depth.
As Ballard said after the season, and as we all saw, the Colts need a greater pass-catching presence at tight end. Last season, the four tight ends on the Colts roster totaled just 467 receiving yards. For some context, there were 25 individual tight ends who had more receiving yards than the Colts entire unit did.
ESPN's Field Yates mentioned recently that the last Colts' tight end to eclipse 500 receiving yards in a season was all the way back in 2018.
"Our inability to control the middle of the field," said GM Chris Ballard after the season, "which we've gotta be able to do, I’ve got to be able to give Shane [Steichen] and them a guy that can really control the middle of the field, that teams have to account for and defend.”
While the passing game element will be on everyone's radar when it comes to the Colts, not to be forgotten about is the importance of that player's blocking ability in Shane Steichen's run-centric offense. Ideally, the Colts are likely looking to add a player who can make an impact in both phases--the run and passing games.
The top tight ends in this year's draft are Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland, but Dane Brugler of The Athletic believes there are 5-6 starting-caliber tight ends in this year's draft class, which gives the Colts options.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts NFL draft: Biggest need following free agency
