According to The Athletic’s Mike Sando, anonymous NFL executives recently weighed in on the Indianapolis Colts 2026 draft class, which even without a first round pick, saw the Horseshoe potentially land two immediate defensive starters on ‘Day 2’:
“They would not have gotten a Sauce Gardner picking where they were going to pick, whether that was at 16 or later in the round,” an NFL executive said via Sando. “That verdict on that trade is going to be determined by their next first-round pick, and what that looks like.”
“CJ Allen is probably going to end up being a team captain on defense, and then they took some late-round swings on guys who had talent, but also big question marks,” another NFL executive said. “That could buffer some of the early picks they didn’t have.”
“These are tough players,” another one said. “They have violent play styles. They take the ball away. They love football. To me, this is what you are looking for.”
The Colts recent draft class is highlighted by the selections of Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (Pick #53, after slightly trading down from #47), and LSU safety AJ Haulcy (#78) a round later in Round 3. Both First-Team All-SEC defenders were not only considered ‘dawgs,’ but top prospects as their respective positions in this year’s class. Even though they were drafted on ‘Day 2,‘ each projects as an immediate defensive starter from ‘Day 1’ for Indianapolis and should provide immediate upgrades respectively.
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However, the Colts also selected Kentucky offensive guard Jalen Farmer (#113), who’s been lauded for his physicality and is considered a road grader in run blocking. He should challenge for the starting right guard job in both training camp and preseason, and even if he doesn’t win the competition, provides a key backup offensive lineman through the course of the 2026 regular season (where the Colts will need at least six capable blockers).
Otherwise, Colts’ 4th round Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (#135) provides depth to their linebacker position, even after the earlier selection of Allen, and could immediately contribute as a sub-package defende for coverage situations. It’s not out of the question he could push for a starter’s job alongside Allen as well.
The others drafted: Florida edge George Gumbs Jr. (#156), Ohio State edge Caden Curry (#214), Kentucky running back Seth McGowan (#237), and Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks (#254) add collective depth to once depleted positions on the Colts roster.
If there’s a takeaway from this year’s draft class, it’s that longtime Colts general manager Chris Ballard has ‘gone away’ from some of his RAS roots, and has looked to draft instinctive, tough football players, many of whom were proven, productive, and battle-tested in arguably college football’s winningest power conferences.
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