Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL Draft: CFN College Football Take on Every Pick

Story by

Pete Fiutak

Tue, Apr 28, 2026 ·

3 min read

There wasn't a first round pick, but Georgia linebacker CJ Allen was fine in the second round, LSU safety AJ Haulcy was a wonderful pick in the third, and then ...

They tried hard. It was a little bit of an odd draft.

There are no flashy stars, and there are too many Day 3 picks, but if they can beef up the defense with class, it'll do its job.

Colts Draft Quick Hits

Best Value: AJ Haulcy, S LSU
Biggest Need: Pass rushers
Missed: Elite prospect pass rushers
Big Call: One of the two 7th-rounders will make the team

Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
(© Dale Zanine-Imagn Images)

What They Got Right

Linebackers.CJ Allen has the talent and smarts to step in right away and make the defense his. He can play anywhere, and Oregon's Bryce Boettcher should be a run stopper if he plays better than his fourth-round status.

What They Missed

Edge rushers.They had one job in this draft, and that was to upgrade the defense. They might have done that, but Job Two was to find playmakers who can get to the quarterback.

If you're addressing a need in the fifth and sixth rounds, you're not serious about fixing the glitch.

Best Value Pick

AJ Haulcy, S LSUHe'll be a wonderful player for the Colt secondary for the next several years. You want a tone-setter who can bring the big pop? That's Haulcy. He should've gone in the second round and lasted until the third.

Biggest Reach

Bryce Boettcher, LB Oregon
This is on a technicality. The Colts might not have made a slew of big picks, but they at least took almost all the players around where they should've gone.

Boettcher is a good pick, and he should stick, but even late in the fourth, with his lack of NFL tools, he went a little too early.

CFN Draft Grade

Grade: BForget about the seventh-rounders, five of the first six picks were about the defense. Allen and Haulcy will give the team an attitude - you build around guys like this - and if one of the other three defenders ends up starting, this draft works.

Colts Draft Class

Round 2, (53): CJ Allen, LB Georgia
Don’t ask him to do much in pass coverage, but he’ll eat up everything against the run.

Round 3, (78): AJ Haulcy, S LSU
A very smart pick on a nasty safety who hits like a truck. He’ll be a good starter for years.

Round 4, (113): Jalen Farmer, OG Kentucky
Good timing at the right position, he might not be a need guy, but he’s worth the pick.

Round 4, (135): Bryce Boettcher, LB Oregon
They loaded up the linebacking corps with a pure inside tackler who eats everything.

Round 5, (156): George Gumbs, EDGE Florida
Forget the run D, Gumbs can get into the backfield as a third down specialist.

Round 6, (214): Caden Curry, EDGE Ohio State
There’s a strong chance that Curry was the team’s best pass rushing pick. He’s a tweener.

Round 7, (237): Seth McGowan, RB Kentucky
Not a bad seventh round chance at a rotational back. He’s a tough guy with quickness.

Round 7, (254): Deion Burks , WR Oklahoma
He could’ve gone in the third round. He’s small, but he can move - here’s a late deep threat.

This story was originally published by College Football News on Apr 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the NFL Draft section. Add College Football News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.