Non-First-Round Quarterbacks the Colts Should Consider Drafting

Here’s a look at two quarterback prospects who the Indianapolis Colts could select late in the 2025 NFL Draft.

The team recently lost free agent Sam Ehlinger to the Denver Broncos. Last season, Ehlinger served as the Colts’ No. 3 quarterback behind Richardson and veteran Joe Flacco. Now that Flacco and Ehlinger are out of the picture, the Colts could take a quarterback at some point in the 2025 NFL Draft.

That newcomer could then compete with holdover Jason Bean for the No. 3 quarterback spot. Here are two signal-callers Indy should target late in this year’s draft.

Non-First-Round Quarterbacks the Indianapolis Colts Should Consider Taking Late in the 2025 NFL Draft

More than likely, the Colts aren’t going to take a quarterback early on in the draft. It wouldn’t make much sense, seeing that they have Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones in the mix. Plus, that would mean they were ready to give up on Richardson and move on. With that said, you’re not going to see someone like Cam Ward, Shedeur Sanders, or even Jalen Milroe in Indianapolis this year.

Indy could end up drafting Will Howard, though. The Ohio State star is projected to be a Day 3 pick. The Pennsylvania native does a great job of getting the ball out of his hands and is accurate. Howard is coming off an amazing 2024 campaign. He threw for 4,010 yards and 35 touchdowns while adding 226 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. For his efforts, he was named third-team All-Big Ten. More importantly, Howard led the Buckeyes to a national championship over Notre Dame. It was the school’s first national title since back in 2014.

By winning a championship, Howard proved he could perform on a big stage. He’d bring a much-needed winning attitude to the Colts’ locker room. And he might beat out Bean for the team’s No. 3 quarterback spot in training camp this year. 

Tyler Shough

Tyler Shough had an interesting college career. He played a whopping seven seasons across three programs: Oregon, Texas Tech, and Louisville. Shough started 33 games and threw 59 touchdowns. He also rushed for 11 touchdowns. Last season at Louisville, he finished with 3,195 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and six interceptions.

The six-foot-five, 225-pound Shough has a strong arm, makes pinpoint passes, and can extend plays with his legs. But due to his injury history and age (25), he‘s expected to be taken late in the draft.

During an interview with ESPN’s NFL Live, Shough compared himself to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen:

“I also like watching Josh Allen. I kind of feel I have a little bit of him in me when it comes to being a physical force at the line of scrimmage and ripping the ball down the field.”

Don’t look for Shough to become the next Josh Allen. But if he is a future NFL MVP, the Colts could certainly get a steal.

Like Will Howard, Shough is projected to be a Day 3 pick. And also like Howard, he could provide Bean with competition for Indy’s No. 3 quarterback spot.