Colts 2025 training camp preview: What to watch for from Tyler Warren, rookie class

The main question: What should Colts fans expect from Tyler Warren and the rest of the 2025 rookie class during training camp?

The positions involved: Tight end, defensive end, cornerback, offensive tackle, running back, quarterback, defensive tackle, linebacker, special teams

Here's what know about each of the rookies as training camp approaches:

Tyler Warren

The first-round pick out of Penn State will undoubtedly have the most eyes on him of any Colts rookie this year, and the tight end seems prepared to shoulder that kind of pressure. For Warren, the question isn't if he'll play – it's how much playing time he'll get, and what his role in the Colts' offense will be.

"He can do a lot now," general manager Chris Ballard said in April, after the Colts took Warren 14th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft. "I mean, he can play multiple spots. He's got the quarterback background, so he can play in the backfield. He's a great 50-50 ball catcher. After the catch, he's violent after the catch. He brings an element of toughness that I thought we needed to add offensively."

The 6-foot-6, 256-pound tight end quickly made an impression during rookie minicamp in May, looking confident and at ease the moment he stepped on the field. Praised for his versatility and physicality in college, Warren will provide an opportunity for more options for a Colts offense that tended to shy away from schemes involving a pass-catching tight end in 2024. With 153 career receptions for 1,839 yards and 19 touchdowns as well as 32 carries and six rushing touchdowns, Warren opens both the run game and passing game.

With experienced playmakers like Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce on the roster, exactly how Warren will fit into the offense remains to be seen but hopes – and expectations – are high for the tight end heading into camp.

J.T. Tuimoloau

Tuimoloau, a versatile defensive end, will be competing for a spot in defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's plans after a standout collegiate career at Ohio State. At 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, Tuimoloau's size and power as a pass-rusher – not to mention his continued success at one of the strongest collegiate football programs in the country – made him especially appealing to Ballard and the Colts in the draft.

"I just think that J.T. brings so many different tools with him," Anarumo said during rookie minicamp. "Can rush, is a big guy so can slide down inside and use him somewhat as an inside rusher potentially. Stout against the run. He's been able to take the ball away. I think he had 16-some-odd sacks in his career. So, you're talking about a guy that's had proven production at the highest level. Again, another guy to me – it's important that the guys we took in free agency, they're used to winning. That's a big part of becoming a consistent, winning team, is you got players that are used to it. This guy just won a national championship."

For reference, Tuimoloau had 23.5 sacks in his collegiate career. He is no stranger to competing, having done that in his four years as part of a loaded Ohio State roster. That mindset – as well as being willing to do whatever the team needs to succeed – should set him up well to be a strong competitor in training camp.

Justin Walley

Walley is another rookie who will competing for a depth role in Anarumo's defense; the cornerback has a chance to make an impact and prove his worth in a defense that tends to rely on its defensive backs. The 22-year-old has already impressed his teammates and coaches during rookie minicamp and OTAs, and training camp is the next step for Walley to show his abilities on a consistent basis.

"Super gritty guy," Anarumo said. "He's really fast, he's strong, he's tough. I think he started over 40-some-odd games in the Big Ten, so let's start with that. Just a very tough, competitive person at one of the most competitive positions in the NFL. If you're not a competitive guy out there covering these days, it's going to be a tough day. So, he brings that first and foremost and that's a great place to start."

"Walley's been doing a hell of a job," head coach Shane Steichen said. "Was a good get by Chris in the draft. He's making a lot of plays out there."

As a four-year starter (49 games, 42 starts) at Minnesota, Walley gained experience playing corner, slot and safety, so camp is also an opportunity for Walley to show his value as a competitor at multiple positions.

Jalen Travis

Travis is expected to compete for the backup swing tackle role on the offensive line; at 6-foot-8 and 339 pounds, he possesses a remarkable level of athleticism for his size, running a 5.14-second 40-yard dash and recording a 35-inch vertical jump at the NFL Combine. It was that physical ability, as well as his determination and work ethic, that stood out to the Colts during the draft process. Travis has the intangibles; training camp will be the time for him to start developing into the football player the Colts believe he can be.

"His size speaks for itself," Colts area scout Tyler Hughes said. "He's a gigantic person. We have high hopes for him...he is a little bit developmental but knowing him and the type of worker he is, if he gets thrown into a game he's not going to bat an eye. He's gonna be fine. He's athletic enough, he's big enough, he's long enough to where he'll find a way to figure it out."

DJ Giddens

A highly productive running back for three years at Kansas State, Giddens will enter training camp competing with Khalil Herbert and Tyler Goodson for a backup running back role to be Jonathan Taylor's primary backup, and to also earn snaps in relief of the Pro Bowl back. He has the speed (running a 4.43-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine) and the experience (3,087 career rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns; 58 receptions for 679 yards and four touchdowns) to be an important depth piece. Giddens' background – working his way from a no-star recruit out of high school to a fifth-round draft pick – also means he knows what it means to work hard and could have a motivating kind of chip on his shoulder.

"Really his movement skills, his vision, the way he sees the holes is impressive," Steichen said. "He's a glider, you know? He's got really good instincts through the line of scrimmage. Obviously, had a lot of production there at K-State. So to add that depth there in that running back room is going to be big."

"He's all business," Hughes said. "He's got the right mindset and we got a good room and good group of coaches that will get the best out of him."

Riley Leonard

The most important thing for Leonard, as a rookie quarterback, is reps. So, expect him to be with the third-string group during camp, trying to make the most of every snap and show off what he can do. Leonard's confidence and leadership throughout Notre Dame's playoff run in 2024 played a big role in the Colts choosing to draft him, and training camp will be another opportunity for Leonard display those intangibles and continue to build upon his quarterback skills.

"He's going to find his way, just learn, be a sponge, soak things up and be ready to go," Colts area scout Mike Lacy said. "We're excited about what he can be. He's got a long way to go, that's for sure."

Tim Smith

After spending five years playing at Alabama under Nick Saban and Kalen DeBoer, Smith says he has the preparation and discipline for "life, football, anything." The 6-foot-4, 306-pound defensive tackle played in 64 games (32 starts) and totaled 124 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble for the Crimson Tide. Smith also participated in the Senior Bowl and connected with members of the Colts coaching staff there. The Colts are looking for more depth behind DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, and Smith has the opportunity to earn an important rotational role behind the two starters.

"One of the good things was our coaches had him at the Senior Bowl," Ballard said. "So they got live exposure to one, coaching him for the entire week. And then the personality, who he was and what his talent level is. So, we're excited to get him...we think he's got a lot of upside."

Hunter Wohler

Wohler is an interesting prospect for the Colts, as he'll be competing for a spot on both defense and special teams from the get-go. The linebacker's versatility was a key selling point for the Colts in drafting him in the seventh round, as he played as a safety, linebacker and member of special teams for Wisconsin. After he was drafted Wohler said he is fully prepared to earn a role on special teams, knowing that's how he could eventually find his way onto the roster.

"That shows he's a reliable dude and coaches trust him," Hughes said of Wohler playing multiple positions. "Super smart, he's going to be a great special teams player for us. Looking forward to seeing how coaches utilize him here...the key that he can play multiple positions is awesome. With how much sub packages we're in nowadays in the NFL, that dime linebacker role is nice for him but that's not going to limit him. He can play strong safety or free safety, he's got a brain to play it all."

UDFAs

It's difficult to predict what undrafted free agent(s) could stand out at any point during training camp, or what competition could look like. However, there will very likely be competition between kickers Spencer Shrader and Maddux Trujillo. The Colts signed Shrader as a free agent in March, and Trujillo as an undrafted free agent after he made a name for himself during his senior season at Temple when he kicked two 60-plus yard field goals.