Welcome in to the first edition of The Colts Show Mailbag, where I'll be answering listener questions both on the podcast and here on Colts.com every Thursday.
You can submit your questions to me a few ways: At Colts.com/Mailbag, on social media (like X) and in the YouTube comments for the podcast.
For this week's podcast mailbag question, I answered one from Brendan Sweeney about an under-the-radar Day 3 prospect who could make an immediate impact on the Colts. For my answer there, check out this week's episode of The Colts Show wherever you get your podcasts, including on:
Let's dive into the rest of this week's batch of questions:
Jason Fried (Carmel, Ind.): Post draft, what is our top position(s) of need and do you expect any additional moves through free agency?
Ronald Vest (Crawfordsville, Ind.): With the draft picks, what do you think is biggest need in position that can be filled with UDFAs or free agents? Linebacker? Offensive line?
LB Stogner (Anderson, Ind.): What are the prospects to pick up a guard and linebacker in free agency?
JJ Stankevitz: Similar vibes with these questions here but a good way to kick this thing off. Ronald & LB pointed out two positions that saw the Colts lose a player in free agency and not add someone in the NFL Draft with linebacker (E.J. Speed signed with the Houston Texans) and offensive line (right guard Will Fries and center Ryan Kelly signed with the Minnesota Vikings).
Internally, the Colts like 2024 fifth-round pick Jaylon Carlies quite a bit, and you could also see Segun Olubi – who's entering his third year with the Colts – compete to start at the WILL linebacker spot next to Zaire Franklin. It's worth noting here the Colts' defensive scheme will be different under new coordinator Lou Anarumo, which general manager Chris Ballard noted when asked about his team's linebacker depth following the draft last weekend.
"We think we will be OK in that area," Ballard said. "You've got to understand that Lou, it's a little different than we've done in the past where we had a MIKE, WILL and a SAM. Now we are just playing with a MIKE and a WILL. So, not as many guys are as needed as in the past."
The Colts, previously with Gus Bradley and Matt Eberflus as their last two defensive coordinators, would use three linebackers as part of their base defense, even if those defenses primarily were in nickel (five defensive backs, two linebackers). Not only will the Colts not need a third linebacker, remember that what's asked of them by Anarumo will be different, too.
As for the offensive line, the Colts are confident their starting center is on their roster, whether it's Tanor Bortolini, Danny Pinter or Wesley French – three guys with previous starting experience there. Right guard is more of a question mark, with 2024 third-round pick Matt Goncalves playing all but one snap at tackle during his rookie season (he also exclusively played tackle in college at Pitt).
But head coach Shane Steichen said his and his staff have "absolutely" had discussions about kicking Goncalves inside to guard, and added "we'll work through that," on if that move will wind up being made.
Justin Herring (Indianapolis): If the Colts have Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones, then why did they draft another quarterback?
JJ Stankevitz: The Colts have carried three quarterbacks on their roster every year since 2022, and with Sam Ehlinger signing with the Denver Broncos as a free agent this offseason, there was a spot open there for a draft pick. The Colts liked Riley Leonard a lot during the draft process, with endorsements from not only their scouting staff but head coach Shane Steichen and former quarterback (and should-be future Hall of Famer) Philip Rivers.
So it wasn't just that the Colts wanted a third quarterback – they wanted, specifically, that guy to be Leonard.
"He's a good player, a good athlete," Steichen said. "We think he's got some upside. He'll come in and compete."
Leonard may not push his way into the Anthony Richardson-Daniel Jones competition, but we'll see how the next few months play out. At the least, Leonard will get some work with the Colts third-team offense during training camp, and Steichen last year implemented developmental practice periods for third- and fourth-stringers to get them some on-field work in the summer.
"Riley coming in here, he's got the physical ability to be much more than a (third-stringer), but I think that's kind of what he's going to be coming in," area scout Mike Lacy said. "He's going to find his way, just learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go. We're excited about what he can be. He's got a long way to go, that's for sure."
Ryan Halloran (Indianapolis): I am hyped for Tyler Warren and what he will do for the offense, but there has been a lot of talk about AR not being able to make those mid distance throws. Do you think after his work with Josh Allen and Chris Hess during his first real offseason will help level up his game and add this skill to his arsenal?
JJ Stankevitz: Real quick here: Richardson said last week he actually didn't work out with Josh Allen this offseason, and he's been working with Tom Gormely this offseason, too.
But it's a good question, since the Colts envision Warren as someone with the potential to control the middle of the field. Richardson, per Pro Football Focus, last year completed 18 of 34 passes (52.9 percent) that traveled 10-20 yards beyond the line of scrimmage between the numbers and had a passer rating of 78.7 on those throws; the NFL average on those throws was a completion percentage of 62.9 percent and a passer rating of 104.8.
The difference in Richardson versus the rest of the NFL was more pronounced when filtering for intermediate, middle-of-the-field throws intended for tight ends. Richardson completed one of five attempts to tight ends at that distance and location for 22 yards (45.4 passer rating); the NFL average on those was a completion percentage of 65.3 percent and a passer rating of 123.8.
Parsing out how much of that lack of production was on Richardson versus the Colts' tight end room – whose leading receiver was Kylen Granson with 14 catches for 182 yards – is a tough question to answer. But Richardson in 2023 did complete two of four passes with a touchdown to tight ends in that range; extending a little further, he was 4/5 for 69 yards when targeting tight ends over the middle of the field 20 or more yards downfield as a rookie.
I do think Ryan hits on something here, though – this is Richardson's first "real" offseason in the NFL. Last year, he was rehabbing his shoulder; in 2023, he went from draft prep straight into the Colts' offseason program and then training camp. For such a young player – Richardson was born three days before Cam Ward, the 2025 No. 1 overall pick – we shouldn't discount the possible impact a true offseason spent working on his craft could have.
Jeremy Larson (Avon, Ind.): Are our top 4 WRs locked in? Wish I saw more from AD Mitchell last year, would you say he is still locked into the top 4 or is he fighting for a spot at this point?
JJ Stankevitz: Good question here. The Colts didn't select a wide receiver in the 2025 NFL Draft – the first time general manager Chris Ballard didn't draft a wide receiver since 2017, his first draft with the Colts. More notably, the Colts selected a wide receiver on Day 2 of the NFL Draft in 2019 (Parris Campbell), 2020 (Michael Pittman Jr.), 2022 (Alec Pierce), 2023 (Josh Downs) and 2024 (Adonai Mitchell).
With Pittman, Pierce, Downs and Mitchell all back for 2025, plus the versatile Ashton Dulin re-signing as a free agent, there wasn't much of a need in Reggie Wayne's wide receivers room.
As for Mitchell, the short answer is everyone has to compete. But Mitchell did play 35 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps as a rookie, and he played at least 10 snaps in 14 of the Colts' 17 games last year. The Colts do still believe in Mitchell's upside – his quickness and fluidity in creating separation are rare traits – and would like to see his game mature as he gets more experience.
"Like any young player, there's going to be a maturation process with him," Ballard said back in January. "And he has some definitely, really strong moments, but we need more consistent moments from him."
While the other guys in the Colts' wide receivers room have had previous production, Mitchell has an opportunity to push all of them for playing time if he shows that consistency Ballard mentioned.
