|
2026 Draft thread
https://x.com/mchappell51/status/204...711101405?s=20
Mike Chappell @mchappell51 · 20h Pat McAfee will announce Colts' 2nd- and 3rd-round picks in next week's draft in Pittsburgh. With no 1st rounder Thursday, he'll be on stage Friday for Indy's current picks in round 2 (47), round 3 (78). Considering Chris Ballard's quest for additional picks, those are subject to change. |
o
2026 NFL Draft: How All 32 Teams Can Ace Their Picks, Needs (By Ben Solak) https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/s...ns-needs-solak Indianapolis Colts Picks: l Nos. 47, 78, 113, 156, 214, 249, 254 Without a 1st-round pick in the next two drafts and with high expectations for AFC contention, GM Chris Ballard and the Colts need to be highly precise. Indianapolis has immediate needs at edge rusher, where it has length and power but no juice; linebacker, where journeyman Akeem Davis-Gaither and special-teamer Austin Ajiake are the current starters; and safety, where Juanyeh Thomas, Jonathan Owens and Hunter Wohler are the options to replace the outgoing Nick Cross. It will be hard to go 3-for-3, and the Colts might need to adjust on the fly if a good tackle or receiver falls ...... they have needs at both spots and must stack the deck for QB Daniel Jones. Pick No. 47 could be a great spot to fill safety, as coordinator Lou Anarumo's defense needs savvy safeties for it to work. A.J. Haulcy (LSU) and Bud Clark (TCU) are natural fits in the box below Cam Bynum. If the Colts pass on speed-rushers at No. 47, then Keyron Crawford (Auburn) and Dani Dennis-Sutton (Penn State) slide into range at No. 78. Linebacker is a deep position that could be filled at any time. Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) has the sort of testing Ballard typically prioritizes at the position, but 47 would be too early, and 78 probably would be too late. Because of the fact that the Colts are all-in on the Jones hand, they make sense as a trade-up team targeting pro-ready players who might slip for size or experience concerns. Ballard has typically prioritized developmental players above all else, but this is a year to attack short-term needs. The Bottom Line: l Use Day 3 picks to trade up and fill immediate gaps at linebacker, safety and edge rusher ...... if a tackle or receiver falls, go for it. o |
Quote:
Ballard is a genius. |
I don’t know enough to even try and predict what they’re gonna do at 47.
I’m gonna say Oline |
I won't predict the player, but I do predict that
Kray will love the choice and Chopped will hate it. |
Quote:
McKicky went to Southwestern Podunk State, not Podunk University. o |
I would guess Hill or Jacas at 47.
|
|
Quote:
The Colts 7-Round 2026 Mock Draft: Tackling Big Needs at Defensive End, Linebacker (By James Boyd) https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/720...26-gabe-jacas/ The Indianapolis Colts do not have a 1st-round pick for the first time since 2022. They traded that selection, a 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver AD Mitchell to the New York Jets for star cornerback Sauce Gardner in November. At the time, a move of that magnitude was somewhat justified given the team’s hot start to the 2025 season, but it ended like all the rest in recent years: without a playoff berth. The Colts have missed the postseason for five straight years, tied for the third-longest drought in the NFL, and one could argue that the team has regressed this offseason. Sure, Indy’s top two players, quarterback Daniel Jones, who is recovering from a ruptured right Achilles tendon, and wide receiver Alec Pierce, were retained on lucrative contracts. But aside from those two, starter-level talent has been hard to come by after Indy parted ways with five starters and potentially a sixth if it’s able to fulfill cornerback Kenny Moore II’s trade request. The Colts’ uninspiring free agency, in which general manager Chris Ballard acknowledged they whiffed on signing four-time Pro Bowl defensive end Trey Hendrickson, has placed a heavy emphasis on this year’s draft. The Colts have just seven selections, which will be their fewest since 2021 if they’re unable to gain more before or during the draft. Round / Pick / Overall 2 ...... 15 ...... 47 3 .......14 ...... 78 4 ...... 13 ...... 113 5 ...... 16 ...... 156 6 ...... 33 ...... 214 ) (Compensatory Pick) 7 ...... 33 ...... 249 ) (Compensatory Pick) 7 ...... 38 ...... 354 ) (Compensatory Pick) We’re still a few days away from the real draft, but in the meantime, I did one last mock draft using Pro Football Network’s mock draft simulator and “The Beast,” colleague Dane Brugler’s draft guide. Here’s how I tried to bolster Indy’s flawed roster, which has glaring holes, particularly at defensive end and linebacker. Round 2, No. 47: ) Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois The Colts are banking on Laiatu Latu, who had 8.5 sacks last season, taking a big leap in his third season, but he can’t carry the team’s pass rush alone. In the absence of Kwity Paye, the starter who was opposite Latu last year and is now with the Las Vegas Raiders, Jacas would be a solid replacement. The 6-foot-4, 261-pounder had 13.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and three forced fumbles en route to a 2025 second-team All-Big Ten nod. Bruger's Analysis ) “Jacas won’t consistently outrace NFL tackles, but his powerful, proficient technique and aggressive play demeanor should translate well to the next level. He projects as a rotational edge defender.” Round 3, No. 82 (via Vikings): ) Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh I traded back with the Minnesota Vikings, giving up the Nos. 78 and 254 selections for Nos. 82 and 163. Moving down four spots in the third round to exchange a seventh-round pick for a fifth-rounder is a no-brainer. As for my pick at No. 82, Louis fills a notable hole in Indy’s roster. The team must replace at least one of its starting linebackers from last year after trading Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers. Louis offers the coverage skills to be a seamless fit in Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system. The 6-foot, 220-pounder had six interceptions and 10 sacks combined over his last two years at Pittsburgh. Bruger's Analysis ) “Louis is a difficult evaluation because he isn’t a traditional linebacker, but he brings value to the field with his range, instincts and man-coverage upside. Although he won’t be a fit for every scheme, he has a chance to shine for an NFL team with the right vision for his talent.” Round 4, No. 113: ) Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a sixth-round pick, mostly to create enough cap space to retain Pierce in free agency. Pittman led the Colts in catches in four of the last five years, so they’ll need someone to help replace his production. Lance, the younger brother of Los Angeles Chargers QB Trey Lance, would be a solid candidate. The 6-3, 204-pounder totaled 51 catches for 1,079 yards and eight TDs during his final season at FCS powerhouse North Dakota State. Bruger's Analysis ) “Lance is a good-sized athlete and natural hands-catcher who requires route polish but adjusts well to the ball with physicality and body control. He projects as a rookie backup who should eventually compete for a starting role.” Round 5, No. 156: ) Julian Neal, CB, Arkansas Moore’s trade request, which the Colts agreed to, according to league sources, has made cornerback perhaps a sneaky position of need in Indy. Assuming 2025 third-round pick Justin Walley replaces Moore, Neal could be a strong option to bolster the cornerback room. The 6-2, 203-pounder led Arkansas with 12 passes defensed and two picks last year. Bruger's Analysis ) “Neal lacks top-shelf speed for easy recoveries, but he stands out with his length, ascending cover talent and ability to play the football from different angles. He has the potential to be an NFL starter for both man and zone teams.” Round 5, No. 163 (via Vikings): ) Rayshaun Benny, DT, Michigan Colts defensive tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are getting long in the tooth, so it can’t hurt to reinforce this position on Day 3. Benny’s college stats won’t wow anyone, totaling just three sacks combined over the last two years. But he earned third-team All-Big Ten honors after finally becoming a full-time starter in 2025. The 6-3, 298-pounder also has a “revving motor,” per Brugler, that has helped him garner the attention of NFL coaches. Bruger's Analysis ) “Benny isn’t yet the sum of his parts, but he has athletic twitch with the size and arm length to be disruptive at the pro level. He has the talent to see the field as a rookie while an NFL staff coaches the rest out of him.” Round 6, No. 214 (via Steelers): ) J’Mari Taylor, RB, Virginia After the workload Jonathan Taylor had last year (372 touches), it would be wise for the Colts to backfill at running back. Indy hardly played another running back last season, and while Taylor held up, he has an injury history. J’Mari Taylor could be a viable relief option, especially considering his prowess as a pass catcher. The 5-10, 197-pounder amassed 98 catches for 882 yards and 10 TDs during his college career. Bruger's Analysis ) “(J’Mari) Taylor runs with both the compass and contact balance to be a volume ball carrier in a zone scheme. His reliability on special teams and third downs will help determine his value once he gets into an NFL camp.” Round 7, No. 249: ) Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame This late in the draft, the Colts and other NFL teams are swinging on traits and upside. Wagner offers both after starting 24 games at right tackle over his last two years at Notre Dame. The 6-6, 306-pounder would need a lot of refinement to climb the depth chart, but Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. has built a strong reputation for developing the less-heralded players in his room. Bruger's Analysis ) “Wagner is an upright, stiff blocker, but his arm length, strain and light feet are saving graces and help him get the job done. He probably won’t offer enough consistency to be an NFL starter, but has enough talent to compete for a swing tackle role.” o |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
I have never been as apathetic about this team as I am now and from the amount of traffic on this board it seems a ton of you feel the same way. The entire off season seems to be predicated on the first 8 games we played last year, completely forgetting the last half of the season. We haven't improved in any area of the team I can see. No depth pieces ready to step in and change the course. Talking about trading back to get more of them picks we love so much again. It's freaking depressing beyond words.
|
Quote:
I am very excited about the upcoming season, and about the fact that the Colts started last season at 8-2 in the first 10 games before Daniel Jones broke his leg in the Chiefs game in the 11th game. I don't post a lot in the off-season, even on the eve of the draft. For me, that's not necessarily a sign of apathy. For others, maybe it is ...... I will concede that I find it a bit odd that I haven't gotten a single thumbs-up for displaying the content of an extensive l Athletic l article that Dam posted that is hidden behind a paywall. o |
I would call myself cautiously optimistic toward the Colts in 2026. I swear that we have more injuries to DB's than any team in the league, and that has to to stop. We are probably at the NFL average for injuries overall. But, you can't field a winning team when all of your injuries are at a very important position group, like DB, OL or DL.
|
Quote:
I also think he played out of his mind that first half and would have came back to earth somewhat even without the injury. I’m not real optimistic about next season, in case it isn’t obvious. A whole lot needs to fall in place for the Colts to be successful. |
Quote:
Quote:
Based on the posting/number of posts since April 22nd (the eve of the 2026 NFL Draft), I see considerably less apathy here on the ColtFreaks website. o |
Quote:
I can’t help but wonder about the consequences of the injury, and how long it takes for him to return to form. On the other hand, I’m not sure that he “ comes back to earth.” That’s simply because he wasn’t playing out of this world to begin with. He wasn’t doing extraordinary things. There was nothing about his performance you’d look at and ask yourself how did he do that. There were no Patrick Mahomes moments, no series of heroic, come from behind performances. He simply took the snap, dropped back, waited for a receiver to come free, and delivered the ball. He wasn’t completing 70% on his passes or anything outrageous like that. When he wasn’t throwing the ball, he was handing it off to Jonathan Taylor. Don’t get me wrong, the quality of opponents was getting better. Houston and Jacksonville were pretty good. But, even without Jones, with quarterback play best described as marginal, they weren’t getting blown out. They might not have finished 6-1, but they didn’t have to. |
o
2026 NFL Draft Grades for 32 Teams: Winners, Losers, Steals (By Mel Kiper, Jr.) https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/s...-picks-classes ********************************** Indianapolis Colts ) Grade: B+ Top needs entering the draft: l Edge Rusher, Wide Receiver, Linebacker, Safety, Offensive Tackle The Colts didn't pick in Round 1, a product of their deadline deal with the Jets to land Sauce Gardner in November. They were 7-2 at that point with Daniel Jones playing great ball, but after an overtime win the following week in Berlin, they became the first NFL team to ever be six games over .500 and still finish with a losing record (per ESPN Research). Jones tore an Achilles in Week 14, and 44-year-old Phillip Rivers, signed out of retirement, was unsurprisingly unable to right the ship. The CJ Allen pick is going to be huge for the defense. He was a steal at No. 53 -- I had him 28th on the board. He has three-down attributes that allow him to impact the game in coverage, as a run stopper and as a blitzer. Just look at his stat line from 2025: 97 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine run stops, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks. Paired with free agent signing Akeem Davis-Gaither and Day 3 pick Bryce Boettcher, the linebacker unit should take a step forward. Despite tying for 14th with 39 sacks, this team was 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) last season. George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry chip in with Laiatu Latu (who is looking like a promising young pro after 8.5 sacks in 2025) to get after more AFC South quarterbacks, but Indy could have used a little more here. A.J. Haulcy enters as a potential Nick Cross replacement next to Cam Bynum, with eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. And Jalen Farmer was a strong value in Round 4, as I ranked the 6-foot-5, 312-pound guard at No. 81 overall. He didn't allow any sacks last season. Without the 1st-round pick, the Colts did pretty well here overall, getting a borderline first-round talent on Day 2. o |
Quote:
After the loss to Pittsburgh, I thought the team just looked awful in that game. I thought the team looked even worse the next week vs Atlanta, and they only won because Atlanta was even worse. After losing to KC, I said "we're going to lose out this season" and i was right. I probably have a post somewhere in this forum where I said exactly that somewhere in mid to late November. That's when my enthusiasm bottomed out and so far that's where it still sits. |
Quote:
This team is cooked. Done. Can easily end up 10-7 and playing as a wildcard in the playoffs, or even out of the playoffs in a logjam for the final wildcard spot. Can't handle the blitz and now its on film against multiple teams. We have a coach that won't scheme away from it, refuses to run the ball, repeatedly says "its on me" but never changes anything. Forget JT in the conversation for MVP. He'll average 12 touches a game from here on out. Everything that succeeded early season is on tape and isn't working anymore, and Steichen will continue to panic in the 2nd half and forget about the run game. The secondary is better but with Defo out, the pass rush and run D are not getting home, and covering the short middle is terrible. Mahomes had the middle open all game. LBs are terrible in coverage. |
o
2026 NFL Draft: Ranking the 100 Best Picks, Steals, Fits (By Matt Miller) https://www.espn.com/nfl/draft2026/s...am-fits-trades ********************************** No. 15: C. J. Allen, LB, Colts )) Pick 2-53 My Final Overall Ranking: No. 41 Linebacker was one of Colts' biggest needs, and GM Chris Ballard added a downhill thumper with good coverage ability. Allen was once seen as a potential first-round talent, and Indianapolis hopes he'll become its next Shaquille Leonard-level linebacker. To get a value of 12 picks only adds to the praise this selection should receive. Checking off a crucial need without a first-round pick, and doing so with a player many had in the top 32 when the season ended, is good drafting. Allen and fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher will be fun to watch develop, with Allen expected to crack the starting lineup early in the 2026 season. No. 20: A. J. Haulcy, S, Colts )) Pick 3-78 My Final Overall Ranking: No. 60 All draft analysts have a player or two whose play they fall in love with. That was Haulcy for me. At 6-foot, 215 pounds and built like a linebacker, Haulcy looks like a safety who should be in the box on 90% of his snaps, but he dropped into deep coverage and picked off passes in pressure situations for LSU. He can also play in the box and stack up against the run. He'll combine with Cam Bynum to form a reliable back-end duo with a ton of speed and big-play potential. No. 72: Jalen Farmer, G, Colts )) Pick 4-113 My Final Overall Ranking: No. 99 Farmer won't start immediately, but we love teams that draft for the future. And it has to be pointed out that Quenton Nelson has just one year left on his deal and is 30 years old. The hope is that Nelson will be back in Indianapolis long term and will remain one of the NFL's best guards, but Farmer could be the next man up at either guard spot given his college experience at right guard. No. 86: Caden Curry, Edge, Colts )) Pick 6-214 My Final Overall Ranking: No. 133 During commercial breaks on Day 3, we often talked about when Curry would go. The Colts ended his slide toward the end of Round 6 to get one of the best value picks of the day. At 6-2, Curry lacks length but has power in his game and should provide a version of what the Colts got from Kwity Paye last season. Curry has to work to move up the edge rotation, but the Colts should be thrilled to get a player who had 11 sacks last season in a stifling, pro-style Ohio State defense led by former NFL coach Matt Patricia. No. 92: Deion Burks, WR, Colts )) Pick 7-254 My Final Overall Ranking: No. 108 Burks' Day 3 fall was a massive surprise, as he sat atop my "best available" list for hours. He's undersized but has slot potential and should be able to help in the return game. Though Josh Downs is a rock-solid slot, the Colts need depth at receiver after trading Michael Pittman Jr. in the offseason and with Alec Pierce recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Burks' special teams ability gives him a legitimate shot to make an early impact despite his draft status. o |
I sure hope this guy is right, especially about the first two. We need to hit on Allen and Haulcy if this defense is going to take a step
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
Quote:
Personally, I much prefer taking a chance on a guy like Curry who has actually been good at football than a guy like Turay who had all the measurables but was just bad at playing the game. |
Quote:
|
Quote:
|
It feels like Banogu is still on the team, just a healthy scratch.
|
Quote:
Although it should be noted that Banogu, Wilson, and Brents were all productive in college. Especially when compared to Turay. |
o
No 1st-Round Pick ??? The Colts Still Had One of the Most Valuable 2026 NFL Draft Results (By Scott Horner) https://www.indystar.com/story/sport...s/90376179007/ ******** ))) Analysts from Sharp-Football-Analysis rated the Indianapolis Colts' 2026 draft class highly. ******** ))) Ryan McCrystal of Sharp-Football-Analysis gave the Colts' draft an A- grade. ******** ))) Several draftees, including A.J. Haulcy and Jalen Farmer, are seen as potential immediate starters or best value picks. How many 2026 Indianapolis Colts draft picks can you identify ??? Without a 1st-round pick, they weren't in position to grab a big name. That doesn't mean that the Colts had a bad draft. A couple of analysts at Sharp-Football-Analysis believe they drafted well, getting some players who could start this season. Warren Sharp of Sharp- Football-Analysis Sharp assigns draft capital to each pick using a consensus of mock drafts and big boards, comparing the total draft capital used to draft a player at a particular point in the draft relative to what was expected. He calls the resulting metric DCOE (Draft Capital Over Expectation), which measures the expected capital used on a prospect vs. the actual capital used. The Colts had the third most valuable draft class, behind the Washington Commanders and Carolina Panthers, according to Sharp. Here are their best picks: ******** llllll LB C.J. Allen: Expected at 35, taken at 53 ******** llllll S A.J. Haulcy: Expected at 56, taken at 78 ******** llllll G Jalen Farmer: Expected at 106, taken at 113 ******** lllllt Edge Caden Curry: Expected at 161, taken at 213 ******** llll.t RB Seth McGowan: Expected at 182, taken at 236 From Sharp: l "The Colts had a couple of reaches (LB Bryce Boettcher, Edge George Gumbs Jr.), but they had a sound draft by DCOE standards, and their best in several years (No. 28 in DCOE in 2024, No. 17 in 2025.") ************************************ Indianapolis Colts Draft Grade (By Sharp-Football-Analysis) The Colts get an A-, tied for 5rth best, by Ryan McCrystal of Sharp-Football-Analysis. McCrystal acknowledges grading draft classes immediately has limited credibility, but ...... "What is valuable is the collective perception of these draft classes, because these grades will inform our perception of what happened when we eventually look back on the draft years later." ******** llllll Instant impact: A.J. Haulcy, S ******** llllll Best value: Jalen Farmer, OG ******** lllll. Riskiest pick: None. McCrystal's analysis: ) "The Colts didn’t take any big swings, but they probably came away with 3 quality starters in Haulcy, Farmer, and C.J. Allen. Even 4th-round pick Bryce Boettcher has starter potential, though the presence of Allen obviously limits his access to the field." o |
| All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:03 PM. |
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.9
Copyright ©2000 - 2026, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
ColtFreaks.com is in no way affiliated with the Indianapolis Colts, the NFL, or any of their subsidiaries.