There are several ways the Indianapolis Colts can go about the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, and one insider is predicting an aggressive move.
Though general manager Chris Ballard has never traded up in the first round throughout his nine-year tenure, this is a different offseason entirely. He spent over $100 million in contracts to bring in outside free agents this offseason so it wouldn’t be a total shock to see him take the aggressive route Thursday night.
In his final predictions for the NFL Draft, based on what he’s hearing, ESPN’s Peter Schrager has the Colts moving up four spots in a trade with the Chicago Bears in order to grab Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
“My first trade is a fun one. The Colts give up Nos. 14 and 80 to move up four spots in a deal with the Bears. Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard needs to do something to help his offense, no matter if Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones is the starting quarterback,” Schrager wrote. “Ballard & Co. get a 6-foot-6 tight end who has many teams enchanted ahead of Round 1. This pick would be about instant offense for a team that needs it.”
With Penn State’s Tyler Warren already off the board at No. 7 to the New York Jets, this would be considered a reactionary move from Ballard, something he typically avoids. However, it is a move that makes sense considering the team’s needs and Loveland’s profile.
Loveland may not be the most complete tight end when it comes to being the total package of receiving and blocking, but the Colts have a major need to address the former portion of the position. The tight ends for the Colts have failed to produce anything meaningful in the passing game over the last few seasons.
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At just 21 years old, Loveland has thrived over the last two seasons as a receiving tight end, earning a Second-Team All-American nod in 2024. Loveland posted receiving lines of 45-649-4 and 56-582-5 during his sophomore and junior seasons, respectively.
A sure-fire first-round pick, Loveland could be the Colts’ long-term answer to the question marks they’ve had at tight end since the retirement of Jack Doyle.
