In an early 2025 NFL mock draft from Draft Wire, the Indianapolis Colts added to the linebacker position in the first round.
With the 15th pick overall, the Colts selected Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker.
Walker is the top linebacker on Pro Football Focus’ early 2025 big board. For what it’s worth, it’s also been a number of years since the Colts have drafted a linebacker in the early rounds.
At 6-2 – 245 pounds, Walker has played just under 1,000 career snaps, 574 of which have come this season. He’s been utilized as a blitzer, generating 28 pressures this year–the third-most among all linebackers in college football.
Walker has also been a sound tackler, benefitting him in the run game and also helping to limit yards after the catch, as he is holding pass-catchers to just 8.9 yards per catch.
Looking ahead to the 2025 offseason, a minimum, bolstering the depth of the linebacker unit will have to be on the Colts’ radar. EJ Speed is set to hit free agency as is Grant Stuard, which as of now, leaves only Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies under contact, per Over the Cap.
In addition to that, this is a position where the Colts have experienced ups and downs. While we’ve seen a lot of tackles, quarterback pressures, and plays on the football from the linebackers, the Colts defense has also struggled at times to defend the run as well as tight ends in the passing game.
Of course, those issues don’t only fall on the linebacker position, it’s a collective effort, but the linebacker group is a part of those struggles.
The Colts very well could go into next offseason content with Franklin and Carlies as their nickel linebackers, but competition and prioritizing filling out their base rotation wouldn’t be a bad thing either.
