Indianapolis Colts’ GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen met with the media after the NFL draft. Here are the highlights.
Following the conclusion of the 2025 NFL draft, Indianapolis Colts’ GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen met with the media to discuss the three days.
In case you missed it, here are the highlights from the interview. You can find the full press conference here.
– “Good day for us,” said Chris Ballard of Day 3. “Excited about the guys we got.” Trading back in the fourth round gave the Colts some additional draft capital to make sure they could accomplish what they needed to.
– “He’s a good player, good athlete, we think he’s got some upside. He’ll come in and compete,” Ballard said of Riley Leonard. Shane Steichen mentions Leonard’s athletic ability and how he led Notre Dame this past season.
– Ballard on not drafting an inside linebacker: “It just didn’t work out.” Ballard says they really like Jaylon Carlies and others on the roster. “We think we will be okay in that area.” In Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme, with only a Mike and Will linebackers needed, the Colts don’t need as many players at this position as in the past.
– Ballard says that Hunter Wohler will be able to play multiple roles. The Colts listed him at linebacker, but he’ll play some safety as well, particularly in dime, which there will be a lot more of under Anarumo.
– “It’s been impressive to watch,” Steichen said of DJ Giddens and his contact balance. Also mentioned his pass-catching ability and overall production at Kansas State
– Steichen on Tyler Warren: “He can do it all. He can catch, he can run, he can throw. We might play him on defense.” When Warren has the ball in his hands he is “physical.”
– “When guys are on him, he’s still open,” added Steichen about Warren. “He plays above the rim.” Steichen used Antonio Gates as an example from his time coaching the Chargers and said they had a ‘Gates Rule,’ when he’s one-on-one, throw him the ball. Steichen made sure to mention that they aren’t at that point with Warren yet.
– Steichen on Jalen Travis: “He’s light on his feet for a big guy.” Steichen also mentioned the physicality that he plays with. “At that size, to move and run like that, it’ll be good for the room.” Steichen, when asked, says they’ve had conversations about moving Matt Goncavles to guard with Travis now on the roster as a backup tackle.
– Ballard on Tim Smith: “We think he can play the 1 (tech) and the 3.” Ballard says the Colts coached him at the Senior Bowl.
– “We think he’s pretty talented,” Ballard said of Giddens. Ballard referenced the 2017 draft, where there were a number of Day 3 running backs who made an impact on their teams. “He can help us in a lot of ways.”
– “All of them have to learn,” Ballard said about rookie running backs needing to be reliable in pass protection. Ballard says Giddens has work to do, but he’ll confident he’ll be good in pass pro.
– “The toughness that he plays with is undeniable,” Steichen said of Warren. “It talks a lot about his character,” Steichen said of Warren staying at Penn State. He again referenced the variety of ways that Penn State utilized him.
– “All productive. All really mature,” Ballard said of the draft class. He adds that there is an “element of toughness as well.”
