The Indianapolis Colts are in an interesting position ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.

In 2024, the team wasn’t good enough to make the playoffs, but also wasn’t bad enough to get a top pick, which is the worst spot to be in. The team did make some interesting additions in free agency, though, in a bid to take the next step in 2025.

Ahead of the draft, there are some obvious holes the Colts need to fill. The team could use help on the interior of the offensive line, the tight end position, and in the middle of the defense.

The biggest question mark for the Colts is the quarterback position. Anthony Richardson struggled in 2024, even getting benched at one point. As a result, the team brought in Daniel Jones this offseason for competition.

Today, let’s identify the four players the Colts should stay away from in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Jaxson Dart, QB, Indianapolis Colts

As mentioned above, the Colts do not exactly have a steady quarterback situation.

As a result, the team could be tempted to add a passer in the first round of this draft. Jaxson Dart is a player who has been receiving some heavy first-round buzz of late, and the Colts could be in a perfect position to take the Ole Miss passer.

It’s likely that Cam Ward and Shedeur Sanders will be off the board before the Colts pick, so the team could be tempted to reach for Dart. However, the Colts shouldn’t reach for a passer just for the sake of taking one.

The Colts should roll with Richardson and Jones for the 2025 season and select a passer if needed in what should be a better 2026 class.

Malaki Starks, S, Georgia

Malaki Starks is one of the most common mock draft selections for the Colts this offseason.

I’m not exactly sure why, though. Nick Cross was perfectly serviceable in 2024 and the team spent big to bring in Camryn Bynum to man the other safety spot. that duo should do well in 2025, making a safety pick in the first round seem like a reach.

Starks is a fine player. The Georgia product receives praise for his toughness, leadership, and hard-hitting nature, but he did have a less impressive 2024 season than he did in 2023. The Colts have much more pressing needs to address than safety.

Jalon Walker, LB/EDGE, Georgia

The Colts definitely do need to add some talent in the middle of the defense. Jaylon Carlies is currently slated to start at weakside linebacker, and that probably needs to change before the season starts.

Jalon Walker probably checks a ton of boxes for the Colts. The defender has elite traits and the build to be an impact defender at the next level. However, Carter is a “tweener,” not fitting in perfectly as an off-ball linebacker or edge-rusher.

The Colts would be better off taking a true linebacker than a player between positions like Walker. The linebacker may not be able to keep up in coverage at the next level, which should turn the Colts off.

Shemar Stewart, EDGE, Texas A&M

Shemar Stewart is a very raw edge-rush prospect who has elite traits but has yet to put it all together.

The defender only collected 4.5 sacks in three years of college ball. Colts general manager Chris Ballard will likely be tempted to take Stewart due to his insane testing numbers and raw potential.

However, the GM needs to avoid taking a project like Stewart. The team already took a developmental pass-rusher in the first round last year, so the pick could be used more wisely in 2025.