My 2026 Colts Draft Hot Take

[sherck]

1st round pick = 1/2 of Sauce Gardner
2nd round pick = Starting LB
3rd round pick = Starting SS
4th round pick = More interior offensive line quality backup
4th round pick = Starting LB ??

Ballard hit positions of need. He gave Lou more pieces to use on defense. It seems like we filled many of the holes we hand on this team.

All the rest of the players to me seem to be develpmental or special teams (as well as the 4th round LB). I don't know that I have much hope of many of them contributing.

I still think we are going to be disappointed by Daniel Jones but the draft did what it was supposed to do; fill many of the holes in our starting lineup.

And, honestly, if Sauce is healthy this season, he will transform the defense.

[ukcolt]

I think you are pretty much spot on.

Personally i believe if Mooney Ward plays and stays healthy and we get Gardner all season as well, then this defense will look very different, even with perceived deficiencies at DE.

I am still not convinced that our LB's are going to look great this year, i like Allen, but often a rookie season with the high profile role he is going to be thrust into immediately isn't necessarily a recipe for success this year.

I also fear for what might happen should we get an injury to Latu. I have serious qualms about the depth as it is, but if he were to miss any time, then we are really screwed.

I also still don't get why we are trying to get rid of Richardson, when we don't know the health status of Jones, and even if he is healthy what is the quality of his performance going to be like?

Similarly to Latu, what would happen if Warren were injured, i think our TE room would go from one of the better in the league, to quite possibly the worst. That's not to take anything away from Mo and Ogletree, but they are extremely limited in their roles.

I guess like any team, lack of injuries are what will make you a Superbowl contender. Reserves are reserves for a reason and diminish the quality of your team.

[ukcolt]

On a more positive not though, i do think that our secondary looks really good from top to bottom. It feels as if we really do have depth all over the board, with maybe the exception of the slot corner.

[BCN#1]

I think you are pretty much spot on.

I am still not convinced that our LB's are going to look great this year, i like Allen, but often a rookie season with the high profile role he is going to be thrust into immediately isn't necessarily a recipe for success this year.

I also fear for what might happen should we get an injury to Latu. I have serious qualms about the depth as it is, but if he were to miss any time, then we are really screwed.



I cannot help but think we might sign Bosa once the dust settles with UDFAs. Might also be some help from the cut downs/cast offs down the road.

[Dam8610]

I like that the Colts got a WR who could compete for WR3 at pick 254. Also think Caden Curry was a great pickup in Round 5.

[YDFL Commish]

I cannot help but think we might sign Bosa once the dust settles with UDFAs. Might also be some help from the cut downs/cast offs down the road.

Maybe not Bosa, but I do believe that Ballard will add another vet Edge rusher.

[Oldcolt]

I hope this turns out as good as everyone thinks it is. I have no idea and no longer have any faith whatsoever in our drafting. If Ward and Gardner play all year it would have a huge positive effect on this defense. My opinion is that Ward doesn't belong anywhere near a football game. After the number and severity of his concussions he most likely already has CTE and is super prone to get more concussions. One more and he will most likely retire, something this team should definitely know how it will deal with before it happens as this is almost a guarantee to happen this year. Men with 3 concussions (he had 3 last year alone) are 3X more likely to get another and defensive backs have the highest rate of concussions in the NFL.

[YDFL Commish]

A little perspective on the value of Ballard's first 2 picks in Allen and Haulcy:

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-hq/prospects/cj-allen

https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nfl-draft-hq/prospects/aj-haulcy

Long story short,
Allen had a position rank of 3rd and an average draft position of 24.7, with a highest draft ranking of 18 and a lowest draft ranking of 48.

Haulcy had a position rank of 4th and an average draft position of 59.3, with a highest draft ranking of 52 and lowest draft ranking 70.

[Dam8610]

Maybe not Bosa, but I do believe that Ballard will add another vet Edge rusher.

Bosa or Reddick would be the only upgrades available at this point. Cam Jordan I think re-signs with the Saints or retires, and he's 37. Van Noy might fit the defense, but is also 35. Bryce Huff retired. Leonard Floyd is 34 and about the same level of player as Arden Key. Preston Smith appears to have fallen off, couldn't start for the Commanders last year, and he’s 34.

I really hope the Colts sign Bosa, I think it would put the division and a deep playoff run in play.

[Puck]

I don't know any of these players. So I cannot make a judgement

Looks like PFF like them. Others as well. I do read a lot of fans showing dissatisfaction, but that's like being on this board

PFF
@PFF
The Colts received an A for their draft haul

https://x.com/PFF/status/2048432158528901335?s=20

[Puck]

Stephen Holder
@HolderStephen
·
16h
Overall, my initial reaction is this is a very strong draft for the Colts. Not sexy, but that’s not what they needed. They got a starting MLB, potential starters in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and hit all their positions of need with viable prospects. I like it.

https://x.com/HolderStephen/status/2048222290257584369?s=20

[ChaosTheory]

I don't know any of these players. So I cannot make a judgement

Looks like PFF like them. Others as well. I do read a lot of fans showing dissatisfaction, but that's like being on this board

PFF
@PFF
The Colts received an A for their draft haul

https://x.com/PFF/status/2048432158528901335?s=20

I think I've read 4 or 5 breakdowns that give them an A.

The only negative shit is randoms online. And when it comes to random fans, just remember...

https://x.com/NFLMemes/status/2047352821486326139?s=20

[Puck]

I think I've read 4 or 5 breakdowns that give them an A.

The only negative shit is randoms online. And when it comes to random fans, just remember...

https://x.com/NFLMemes/status/2047352821486326139?s=20


Yep. This one is priceless

[Puck]

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
3h
Biggest Colts position battles for camp (as of right now):

• Tuimoloau vs Key (starting edge)
• Davis-Gaither vs Boettcher (WILL backer)
• Farmer vs Goncalves vs Travis (RG and RT)
• Dulin vs Burks vs Westbrook-Ikhine (Rotational Z snaps)
• McGowan vs Giddens (backup RB)

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2048424614418641201?s=20

[Puck]

Jay Robins
@TheJayRobins
·
21h
Colts steal report by Round via Consensus Big Boards:

- 2nd Biggest Steal of Rd2
- 6th Biggest Steal of Rd3
- 14th Biggest Steal of Rd4
- 2nd Biggest Steal of Rd7 & of the Draft

https://x.com/TheJayRobins/status/2048529191767883975?s=20

[Oldcolt]

I'm one of those dudes who is having a hard time getting excited about this draft. If championships were decided by what the experts thought of our drafting over the years we would be perennial contenders. I'm hopeful but need to see it on the field

[ChaosTheory]

I feel a slightly lesser degree of what I felt for the '22 class which I thought was great.

I wasn't familiar with CJ Allen prior... after catching up on some film and breakdowns from guys I tend to trust... I don't get why he was available. I've seen most of these guys projecting him from mid-30's up to mid-20's. Maybe because of his knee? Maybe because he doesn't have gorilla arms?

Regardless, I'm glad we got him. The use of the term "green dot" is getting obnoxious, but honestly, my favorite thing about him is him steering the ship at Georgia which is legitimate pedigree. And he looks like the LB equivalent of Leveon Bell in run fits. Good eyes, patience, and explodes.

The fact that they got him at 53 + a 4th and a swapped 7th that turned into another intriguing LB and RB makes it all the better.

----

AJ Haulcy was the one guy I was a little familiar with and is my favorite pick. Nick Cross was a gut punch and I didn't think I would feel good about SS going into the season. I do now. He's not super tall or long, but he's a big fucking safety. He pops guys, but he's also a ball-hawk type... and I think that has a lot to do with my favorite thing about him which is that he's a preparation guy.

The thing that got me so excited about Walley last year was learning that he was a film demon. So hearing that Haulcy is big on prep and situational study is awesome.

----

Catching up on the other guys...

-I trust the track record at OL enough to like Farmer. If he's at worst or #1 backup and forces the right side guys to earn their spot, it's a win. If he can beat someone out, he'll have beaten out a solid player.

-Everyone else seems to have been projected much higher than we were able to get them except for Gumbs—and he's a why not as a traits guy in the 5th. Hopefully that lottery ticket pays.

[YDFL Commish]

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
3h
Biggest Colts position battles for camp (as of right now):

• Tuimoloau vs Key (starting edge)
• Davis-Gaither vs Boettcher (WILL backer)
• Farmer vs Goncalves vs Travis (RG and RT)
• Dulin vs Burks vs Westbrook-Ikhine (Rotational Z snaps)
• McGowan vs Giddens (backup RB)

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2048424614418641201?s=20

I'll bet Burks takes more slot snaps than any other Colts this season.