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Two Players Identified as Colts' 'Ideal' Top Two Draft Picks
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- Two Players Identified as Colts' 'Ideal' Top Two Draft Picks
(Kirby Lee-Imagn Images)
Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez could give the Indianapolis Colts the type of impact at linebacker they haven't had since Shaquille Leonard .
The 2026 NFL Draft is nearly upon us, as teams file players in and out of their facilities and make final preparations over the next three weeks until 8:00 p.m. ET on Thurs., April 23, when the first round commences.
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The Indianapolis Colts are without a first-round pick this year (and next) as a result of their trade with the New York Jets last season. As such, the Colts are not scheduled to make their first selection until midway through the second round, with the 47th overall pick.
In total, the Colts are projected to have seven picks: one in each round from Rounds 2 through 6, and then two selections in Round 7. General manager Chris Ballard has already publicly stated on multiple occasions that the team intends to acquire more picks by the end of the draft .
Recently, Eric Edholm of NFL.com set out to identify the ideal first two picks for each of the 32 teams , and he came up with an impressive combination for the Colts in Rounds 2 and 3: Texas Tech linebacker Jacob Rodriguez in the second round with the No. 47 overall pick, and Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round with the 78th overall pick.
Feb 28, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Clemson wideout Antonio Williams (WO45) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
"Considering the Colts lack a first-rounder, this would be a pretty solid duo to land," Edholm stated. "You just know GM Chris Ballard would have the hots for Rodriguez’s football instincts and character, as well as his playmaking ability, in Indianapolis . An edge rusher would have been nice, but the offerings weren’t enticing enough there."
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"Grabbing Williams in Round 3 felt like respectable value," Edholm continued. "He’s a smaller-framed receiver and not a true burner, but Williams is a consistent producer who can make defenders miss."
Rodriguez (6'1", 231, 23 years old) is the type of player who is thought to immediately come into an organization and acclimate with his peers, while also setting a high standard. The two-time team captain and three-time leadership committee member had unbelievable production in the middle of the field and earned countless individual accolades.
In 2025 alone, he had 128 tackles (11 for loss), 1.0 sack, seven forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, four interceptions, and six pass breakups. Not bad for a kid who got to college playing quarterback.
Rodriguez's instincts and football IQ put him in a position to make these splash plays, but he also has the rare ability to excel both against the run and in pass coverage.
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The Colts need linebacker help badly , especially at MIKE linebacker, where Rodriguez has become a star. The Colts recently signed free agent Akeem Davis-Gaither , who can replace former starting WILL Germaine Pratt , but the Colts haven't made any moves yet to replace former MIKE Zaire Franklin after trading him to the Green Bay Packers .
As for Williams (5'11", 187, 21), he's another hard-working player who has remained productive without possessing elite measurables. As a true freshman in 2022, Williams came onto the scene with 604 yards and four touchdowns on 56 catches. He put together a highly accomplished four years at Clemson with 208 receptions for 2,336 yards (11.2 avg.) and 21 touchdowns.
Williams is known as a shifty receiver who can move around the formation and pick up yards after the catch. He has 1,565 career snaps in the slot, with another 442 lined up outside.
The Colts traded away both Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell over the last several months, leaving a void in playmaking, yards after the catch, and keeping the chains moving. Williams can help with all of that.
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With Alec Pierce , Josh Downs , and tight end Tyler Warren returning in 2026, adding Williams to the mix would allow the Colts to have a rhythmic passing game that aids quarterback Daniel Jones , who will be returning from a season-ending Achilles injury in 2025.
