Honestly, the NFL Draft is a weird business. One minute you’re the most productive back in the Big 12, and the next, you’re sitting there on Day 3 wondering if the phone is ever going to ring. That was basically the reality for DJ Giddens, the former Kansas State workhorse who finally found a home with the Indianapolis Colts.
Most people looking at a DJ Giddens draft profile see a 6-foot-1, 212-pound runner and think "prototypical size." But he's so much more than a guy who looks good in a jersey. He’s a guy who broke Darren Sproles' single-season school record for yards per carry. Yeah, that Darren Sproles.
Giddens averaged $6.55$ yards every time he touched the rock in 2024. That’s not just luck. That’s vision.
The Journey From Zero Stars to the NFL
You’ve gotta love a good underdog story. Giddens wasn't some blue-chip recruit with coaches from Alabama and Georgia knocking down his door in Junction City. He was a zero-star recruit. Nobody wanted him.
Except Kansas State.
He stayed home, redshirted, and then proceeded to absolutely tear up the conference. By the time he declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, he had put up over 3,000 career rushing yards. He didn’t just play; he dominated.
What the Scouts Saw (And What They Missed)
Scouts are obsessed with "juice." They want to see that first-step explosiveness that makes a defender look like he’s running in sand. If you look at the DJ Giddens draft profile from early 2025, the biggest knock was usually his "long-strider" build. People thought he was a bit of a "glider" rather than a "slasher."
Then the NFL Combine happened.
Giddens shut a lot of people up in Indianapolis. He clocked a 4.43-second 40-yard dash. For a guy his size, that is moving. He also posted a 39.5-inch vertical and a 130-inch broad jump. When you see those numbers, the "he’s not explosive" argument kind of falls apart. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) ended up being a staggering 9.78 out of 10. That's elite tier.
Breaking Down the DJ Giddens Draft Profile: The Tape
When you pop on the 2024 film against Oklahoma State or Colorado, you see a runner who is incredibly patient. He doesn’t just sprint into the back of his offensive linemen. He waits. He presses the line, waits for the linebacker to commit to the wrong gap, and then—boom—he’s gone.
- Vision: Among the best in the 2025 class. He sees lanes before they even fully develop.
- Contact Balance: He doesn’t go down on the first hit. His height makes him a big target, but he has this weird ability to absorb contact and keep his legs churning.
- Versatility: This is the big one. He caught over 50 passes in college. He’s not just a "between the tackles" guy.
There are concerns, obviously. There always are with fifth-round picks. His pass protection is... well, it’s a work in progress. He has a habit of lunging at blitzers instead of squaring them up. If you can't block, you can't play on third down in the NFL. It’s that simple. NFL quarterbacks are too expensive to leave unprotected.
The Indianapolis Colts Fit
The Colts taking him at No. 151 overall was actually a stroke of genius by Chris Ballard. Think about it. You have Jonathan Taylor, who is an absolute superstar. But Taylor has dealt with some nagging injuries over the last couple of years. Behind him, the Colts had a bit of a question mark.
Giddens isn't going to take Taylor's job. Let's be real. But he provides a physical style that mimics some of what Taylor does. He’s a gap-scheme runner who can handle 15+ carries if he has to.
During 2025 training camp, reports started surfacing that Giddens was already pushing for the RB2 spot. Shane Steichen, the Colts' head coach, actually called him a "glider with good burst." That’s high praise for a rookie. He’s been catching everything thrown his way, too.
Why His Draft Stock Slipped
If he has the stats and the athletic testing, why did he fall to the fifth round?
Honestly? It was a loaded running back class. And the NFL still has this weird bias against "upright" runners. Because he's taller, scouts worry about him taking too many "body shots." There’s also the "quality of competition" argument that pops up whenever a Big 12 back has a huge year without playing a gauntlet of SEC defenses every week.
But Giddens put up 182 yards on Colorado. He wasn't just beating up on small schools.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Dynasty Owners
If you're following the DJ Giddens draft profile for your fantasy team or just because you’re a Colts fan, here is what you need to know.
First, don't expect him to be a PPR god right away. While he has great hands, he needs to prove he can pass protect before the coaches trust him on passing downs. If he cleans that up, he has three-down potential.
Second, he is the ultimate "handcuff" stash. If Jonathan Taylor misses any time, Giddens is the guy most likely to step into that heavy-volume role. He’s 21 years old and has very little "tread" worn off his tires compared to some other backs who stayed in school for five years.
Keep an eye on his special teams play. For a mid-round rookie, that’s how you stay on the active roster. If he’s making tackles on kickoff coverage, it means he’s locked in.
The transition from Manhattan, Kansas to Indianapolis is a big jump, but Giddens has spent his whole life being overlooked. Being a fifth-round pick is just another chip on his shoulder. He's already proven he's faster and more athletic than the "experts" thought. Now he just has to prove he belongs.
Watch the waiver wire in your leagues. People are going to forget about him because he was a Day 3 pick. Don't be that person. The talent is there, the size is there, and the opportunity in Indy is wide open for a solid backup to emerge. All he needs is a chance.
Final word: If you're betting on talent over draft capital, Giddens is a name you'll be hearing for a while. He's got the tools to be a starter in this league eventually. For now, he’s the best-kept secret in the AFC South.