The Indianapolis Colts have made an interesting choice in the 2025 NFL draft by selecting cornerback Justin Walley from Minnesota in the third round, aiming to strengthen their secondary. This decision came as a surprise to some analysts, especially considering they recently signed Charvarius Ward in free agency. However, Walley's performance, particularly his speed, was impressive enough to grab the Colts' attention.

During the NFL combine, Walley showcased his athleticism by running a 4.4-second 40-yard dash despite competing with a cast on his wrist due to a prior injury. Colts' GM Chris Ballard highlighted Walley's toughness and competitiveness, which align with the team’s focus on resilience in their draft strategy. Although he stands at 5'10" and weighs 190 pounds, potentially making him undersized against taller receivers, his skill set, including his quickness and smart play, is expected to compensate for this limitation.

Historically, Walley has proven to be effective in coverage, allowing only a 53% completion rate throughout his college career. His ability to operate effectively in man coverage fits well with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's strategy, which emphasizes individual matchups. This selection could provide the Colts with a versatile corner who can adapt to various coverage responsibilities.