Top 10 Colts Players for 2025

The Indianapolis Colts have taken advantage of free agency and the NFL draft to add more talent to their roster. Their squad is now bolstered and features new coaches like defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.

General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen might be on their last legs at their respective positions. 2025 is all about winning and establishing a playoff-type mentality, and there will be prominent names on the roster who will lead the charge.

With that on deck, it's time to briefly dive into 10 of the most important Colts players who take the mantle as most crucial to the team. First off is a quarterback who, like Ballard and Steichen, might be at the last stop to make something happen with his young career.

Anthony Richardson | Quarterback

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (all-white uniform) runs with the ball and points downfield for a block. — Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) runs with the ball during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson must step it up in 2025. Richardson concluded his sophomore year with a 47.7 completion percentage and struggled with bad decision-making and turnovers.

Progression as a passer is the zenith priority for Richardson, as QBs don't make it last as a starter in the NFL strictly as a runner. Now with Daniel Jones competing with him, Richardson has to answer the call and harness the position under center to lead the Shane Steichen scheme.

DeForest Buckner | Defensive Tackle

Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (blue and white outfit) handles drills before the start of a game. — Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) prepares for the game at MetLife Stadium, Sunday, November 17, 2024, in East Rutherford. | Kevin R. Wexler-NorthJersey.com / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The staple of Anarumo's defense, tackle DeForest Buckner, has been with the Colts for five seasons and has shown he's the model of consistency. Buckner has tallied an impressive career in 141 games (136 starts), tallying 67.5 sacks, 605 tackles (88 tackles for loss), and 175 quarterback hits.

Buckner didn't get a chance to play all 17 games last year, but still grabbed 6.5 sacks, 61 tackles, and eight tackles for loss. Buckner will, as always, be relied upon with Grover Stewart to handle the middle of the defensive line and put the clamps on quarterbacks and opposing ground games.

Quenton Nelson | Left Guard

Colts guard Quenton Nelson (all-white uniform with blue stripe) blocks a defender from the quarterback. — Oct 27, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Indianapolis Colts guard Quenton Nelson (56) blocks against Houston Texans linebacker Jake Hansen (35) during the game at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images | Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Left guard Quenton Nelson can be the best guard in football any given week during the regular season. Nelson has been incredible and on a Hall of Fame trajectory, logging seven straight Pro Bowls in as many seasons as a professional and in the Circle City.

Quenton Nelson:

🔵 1st player since Barry Sanders to earn 3 1st Team All-Pro selections in each of his 1st 3 seasons
🔵 20th player in NFL history to make 7 Pro Bowls in his 1st 7 seasons
🔵 3rd OL in NFL history with 7 straight Pro Bowl selections

Does he get enough respect? pic.twitter.com/dclJdvQUaV
— SleeperColts (@SleeperColts) May 24, 2025

Nelson notched another great year of Pro Football Focus grades with 81.3 overall, 79.7 pass-blocking, and 81.7 run-blocking, all good enough for top 10 in his position (136 eligible). Nelson is the anchor of the offensive line, and that isn't changing in 2025.

Zaire Franklin | Linebacker

Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (blue jersey) runs out of the tunnel and gets greeted by teammates. — Indianapolis Colts linebacker Zaire Franklin (44) high fives his teammates as he takes the field Sunday, Oct. 20, 2024, during a game against the Miami Dolphins at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Christine Tannous/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Linebacker Zaire Franklin has spent his career with the Colts (seven years) and has climbed the ranks from special teams to defensive captain and NFL tackle leader. Franklin made his first Pro Bowl in 2024 by adding up 173 tackles (led the NFL), 3.5 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and an impressive five fumbles forced.

There were times when Franklin had issues off the field, causing drama and a possible rift in the locker room, but the former seventh-rounder and Syracuse alum will look to rectify that and build off a great 2024 by helping lead the defense to success.

Jonathan Taylor | Running Back

Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (blue jersey) stiff arms a defender to keep them at bay. — Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) pushes off Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) as he rushes the ball Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, during a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Until further notice, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is the catalyst for the offensive progression. Last year, he continued to prove that notion. Taylor logged his second career Pro Bowl and toted the pigskin 303 times for 1,431 rushing yards and 11 all-purpose touchdowns (10 rushing).

Jonathan Taylor FED fantasy managers over the past two weeks:

🏆 63 touches
🏆 354 total yards
🏆 5 touchdowns
🏆 67.4 PPR POINTS pic.twitter.com/0mIqq1GrOX
— PFF Fantasy & Betting (@PFF_Fantasy) December 29, 2024

Taylor was especially the top method of moving the ball in the last five games of 2024, taking on a massive workload of 142 carries for 723 rushing yards (5.1 average) and seven all-purpose scores. Taylor now has a competent backfield around him in Khalil Herbert and DJ Giddens, so expect the former Wisconsin playmaker to be conserved more to make each touch even more impactful.

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Kenny Moore II | Cornerback

Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (all-white uniform) takes away the football and slides to the ground. — Dec 22, 2024; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II (23) slides to the turf after intercepting a pass at the end of the game during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christine Tannous/USA Today Network via Imagn Images | Christine Tannous/USA Today Network via Imagn Images

Veteran Colts cornerback Kenny Moore II has been, like Buckner, a staple of the defense in the secondary. Moore continued to show that he's one of the best nickel corners in the NFL last year, performing on a Pro Bowl level without logging the honor.

Moore played 15 games and snagged 78 tackles, seven passes defended, and three picks. Moore also had a solid PFF coverage grade of 68.2. Moore has shown no signs of slowing down and will be counted on the help the defensive backfield again in 2025 as a team captain.

Josh Downs | Wide Receiver

Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (all-white uniform) tries to hear the next play call from the field. — Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) during a time out against the Tennessee Titans during the second half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images | Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

Michael Pittman Jr. barely missed the cut for the top wideout on this list, but Josh Downs has begun to emerge as the number one pass-catcher for Indy's offense. Downs led the team in catches through only 14 games in 2024, hauling in 72 catches on 107 targets for 803 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

Pittman caught 69 passes while dealing with a bad back injury, but Downs has showcased an ability to win and catch nearly anything in the short, medium, and deep game. It also seems not to matter who is throwing him the ball, as he's already played with three different quarterbacks but is still consistent. Watch out for a big year three from Downs.

Nick Cross | Safety

Colts safety Nick Cross (blue jersey) celebrates after a nice play on the field. — Indianapolis Colts safety Nick Cross (20) reacts after a play Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Smith/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Colts three-year safety Nick Cross didn't look like he was panning out in his first pair of NFL seasons. He only started four games and had 56 tackles, two passes defended, and one pick. However, 2024 he brokeout in multiple ways and became one of the top defenders for then-coordinator Gus Bradley.

Cross was a great run defender (80.2 PFF grade) and tallied 146 tackles (six for loss), 1.0 sacks, five passes defended, three interceptions, and a fumble forced. Cross had to make a multitude of tackles due to many missed tackles from linebackers, but he will push for a big year since he's a free agent in 2026.

Tyler Warren | Tight End

Colts tight end Tyler Warren (gray sweatshirt) answers questions from the local media. — Tyler Warren talks to members of the media during Penn State's Pro Day in Holuba Hall on March 28, 2025, in State College. | Dan Rainville / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Colts' 14th overall selection, Penn State's Tyler Warren, hasn't played a single snap in the NFL, yet finds himself on this list as one of the most important players. This is with great reason: last year, Indy's tight end situation was a complete disaster, with four players adding up to a meager 39 catches.

Warren will be an immediate impact player and likely easily eclipses 39 catches on his own. At Penn State in 2024, he was incredible. Warren caught an impressive 104 passes for 1,233 receiving yards and eight scores. He also ran four touchdowns, showing his versatility. Warren will fit well with what Steichen wants to do and has the skills to unfold a great rookie campaign.

Charvarius Ward | Cornerback

Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward (red jersey) hauls in a pick near the sidelines. — Oct 27, 2024; Santa Clara, California, USA; San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward (7) attempts to gather the ball on a Dallas Cowboys incomplete pass during the fourth quarter at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images | Kelley L Cox-Imagn Images

Similar to Warren, former San Francisco 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward hasn't played a single snap for Indianapolis yet finds himself on this list for good reason. Ward was fantastic in 2023, notching an All-Pro nomination and Pro Bowl spot. That year, he deflected 23 passes (led the NFL), caught five picks, returned one for a touchdown, and made 56 solo tackles (72 total).

Ward is CB1 for Indianapolis, and defensive coach Anarumo will have him shadow every opponent's number one pass-catcher in 2025, a tall task given Indy's schedule. Ward's 2024 was a down season by his standards, but he is in a fresh place with the drive to return to his All-Pro, Pro Bowl ways.

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