The Indianapolis Colts have steadily rebuilt their roster with a mix of high-ceiling youth and hard-earned veteran development. But how do their top players stack up in the eyes of the league when it comes to trade value?
That’s exactly what ESPN’s Bill Barnwell explored in a recent breakdown, where he assigned hypothetical trade values to notable players across the NFL, including several high-profile Falcons. His analysis goes beyond just raw stats, factoring in age, contract status, scheme fit, and long-term upside to show how the league views Indy’s most important assets.
First-Round Value: Tyler Warren and Laiatu Latu
GettyThe Colts’ Future May Hinge on These Two Players
Two young Colts landed in Barnwell’s “one first-round pick” tier: tight end Tyler Warren and edge rusher Laiatu Latu, both promising recent additions with high upside.
Latu, the team’s 2024 first-round pick, showed flashes of dominance in his rookie season, even if the sack totals didn’t quite reflect it. “Latu wasn’t always a consistently impactful pass rusher,” Barnwell noted, “but he made some offensive linemen look foolish.”
One of the best examples came against the Lions, when he beat All-Pro tackle Penei Sewell clean off the edge in a one-on-one matchup. Though Latu had trouble finishing plays and converting pressures into sacks, his explosiveness and technique hint at the makings of a special player.
Tyler Warren, on the other hand, has barely set foot on an NFL field, but his trade value already sits at a first-round level because, well, he was just drafted with a 2025 first-round pick. In Steichen’s offense, Warren projects as a move tight end who can stress defenses vertically and thrive in the red zone, a valuable modern piece.
Just Outside the Tier: Raimann, Nelson, and Taylor
GettyFuture Cornerstones or Just Flashes in the Rebuild?
Several Colts veterans narrowly missed the first-round trade value threshold, but each still holds key roles on the team’s current roster.
Bernhard Raimann might be the best developmental success story in Indy in years. A third-round pick in 2022, Raimann struggled early before becoming a steady presence at left tackle. Barnwell initially placed him in the first-round value tier, but the calculus changed after Raimann signed a four-year, $100 million extension this offseason. While the deal is team-friendly for a quality starter, Raimann turns 28 this year, making his long-term trade appeal more limited than younger tackles like Charles Cross or Tyler Smith.
Quenton Nelson, once the gold standard at guard and the highest-paid at the position, is still playing at a high level. But now 29 and just two years away from free agency, Nelson no longer carries the elite trade leverage he once did. “That’s not a position in which teams are willing to devote first-round picks and new deals to players approaching 30,” Barnwell explained.
Jonathan Taylor also remains a key part of Indy’s offense. After nearly three years of battling injuries and inconsistency, Taylor looked like his old self again down the stretch of the 2024 season. But for many teams, the tread on the tires (and the unpredictability of the running back position) make him a harder sell for premium capital, even when healthy.
Barnwell’s analysis puts a spotlight on how the Colts are positioned heading into a crucial stretch. But more importantly, they represent the direction the Colts are headed: younger, faster, and built to grow alongside Anthony Richardson. As Indianapolis looks to take the next step toward playoff contention, understanding which players carry long-term value will help shape the team’s future decisions.
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