Colts Still Get Their Guy in NFL Draft Redo, Pick New Star in Round 2

Super Bowl LX has now been completed, which means it's time for the "what ifs?" and revisionist histories of the 2025 season.

One way people examine what went right or wrong with their team relates to the annual draft, which ESPN recently examined. The ESPN NFL Nation staff came together for a redo of the 2025 NFL Draft after the rookie class's first year to see what teams might do differently.

While the Indianapolis Colts missed the playoffs with an 8-9 record, they still wound up with their original selection at No. 14 in ESPN's exercise: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.

"Warren's performance declined in conjunction with quarterback Daniel Jones' injuries in the second half of the season," ESPN Colts reporter Stephen Holder wrote. "But Warren's ability to hurt defenses at every level was immediately apparent. Meanwhile, his versatility as a receiver, runner, blocker, and even passer added a fresh element to the Colts' offense that defenses had to take into consideration." 

The Colts absolutely made the right choice with Warren. He became only the second Colts tight end to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie and is also just the second tight end in Colts franchise history to be a PFWA All-Rookie nominee.

Warren led the Colts in pass targets (112) and was second in receptions (76), receiving yards (817), and receiving first downs (42). He also caught four touchdowns, to go with eight yards and another touchdown on six carries. His receptions and receiving yards were both the most by a rookie tight end in Colts franchise history, and his five total touchdowns were second.

As for the second round of ESPN's mock draft, with the 45th overall pick, the Colts opted for the mulligan. Rather than picking Ohio State edge defender JT Tuimoloau, they went with Michigan cornerback Will Johnson.

"Cornerback was an issue in Indianapolis, with injuries to Charvarius Ward and Sauce Gardner (whom the Colts gave up two first-round picks to acquire at the trade deadline) plaguing the unit," Holder wrote. "Johnson would have provided some depth with 10 pass breakups in 10 starts. On the flip side, Tuimoloau played just 24% of the defensive snaps -- though he should have a bigger role next season."

Johnson was widely considered one of the top cornerbacks in the draft last spring, but questions about injuries and a lack of elite speed marred his stock.

Despite playing relatively well while on the field early as a rookie in 722 defensive snaps, injuries were, indeed, the story. Johnson missed five games with back/hip injuries and was even knocked out of the season finale with a knee injury. The Colts could've used the depth, as they dealt with injuries at cornerback to Charvarius Ward Sr., Justin Walley, Jaylon Jones, briefly Kenny Moore II, and eventually, Sauce Gardner.

Tuimoloau took a bit to see action, but ultimately, he did play 215 defensive snaps for the Colts in a crowded defensive line group. Stuck behind veteran backups Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis initially, the vets dealt with injuries, which allowed more playing time for the rookie.

He was credited with 14 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus, and four "stops," which is a failed offensive play forced by the defense, but officially no sacks and only one tackle for loss

Tuimoloau and Colts' top defensive end Laiatu Latu are the only noteworthy edges under contract for 2026.

Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.