Colts fifth-round draft decide DJ Giddens provides situational worth to enhance Jonathan Taylor

The Indianapolis Colts discovered worth including versatility to improve their dashing assault and chosen Kansas State operating again D.J. Giddens within the fifth spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft with the No. 151 total decide.

Regardless of simply two seasons as a starter, Giddens emerged as among the finest tailbacks within the nation. Giddens led the Wildcats with 1,601 scrimmage yards and 7 dashing touchdowns on 205 carries to earn All-Large 12 Second-Crew recognition by the coaches in 2024. The previous zero-star recruit out of Junction Metropolis, Kan. capped off his collegiate profession with 3,087 dashing yards, which is the third-most profession dashing yards in Kansas State historical past. His 27 whole touchdowns completed simply outdoors the highest 10 in program historical past.

At 6-foot, 212-pounds, Giddens is a productive workhorse who can decide up the powerful yards in between the tackles on essential downs. Giddens averaged 6.5 yards per carry final season, tied for fifth amongst RBs eligible for the 2025 NFL Draft, per Professional Soccer Focus. His spotlight reel contains a energy tailback whose phenomenal maneuvers and late cuts make defenders fully misinterpret his path. Giddens’ presence within the cross recreation can ignite explosive performs with swing routes, which Colts head coach Shane Steichen has constantly tried to design in brief yardage conditions.

“The manufacturing that he’s had the final couple years there was spectacular to look at,” Steichen informed reporters. “The imaginative and prescient, the contact steadiness, the way in which he runs. He’s a 4.43 man that may catch the ball out of the backfield, is massive for our workforce as properly. So, it’s a great get.”

Colts GM Chris Ballard found one other hidden gem with an elite athleticism rating. Giddens posted a 9.89 Relative Athletic Rating, which ranks twenty third out of 1,935 RBs to take part within the scouting mix since 1987. The 21-year-old entered the draft ranked No. 96 on the PFF Large Board, so the Colts choosing the fifteenth RB within the fifth spherical could possibly be thought-about Indy’s greatest Day 3 steal of the draft. Giddens brings worth within the passing recreation that has grow to be a legal responsibility within the Colts offense, evidenced by his 50 catches for 581 receiving yards and 4 receiving TDs throughout the final two seasons as a starter.

Giddens joins a operating again room that includes Jonathan Taylor, newly signed fifth-year veteran Khalil Herbert, and returning third-year professional Tyler Goodson. The Colts ranked eighth within the NFL averaging 4.7 dashing yards per play and 137.1 dashing yards per recreation final season. Taylor, who’s coming off his second Professional Bowl marketing campaign, rushed for 1,431 yards (fourth in NFL) on 303 carries and scored 11 touchdowns in 2024.

The Colts will develop Giddens’ cross safety expertise and ball safety placement after the rookie underwent surgical procedure to restore torn ligaments in his wrist. Near 30 incoming rookies, together with 8 draft picks, 12 undrafted free agent signings and eight minicamp invitees are set to start Colts rookie minicamp on Might 10.