INDIANAPOLIS — The 2026 NFL draft began in Pittsburgh on Thursday and will conclude Saturday after Rounds 4-7.
The Indianapolis Colts took their first pick at No. 53 overall in the second round.
A full list of Colts’ selections is below and will be updated with pick-by-pick analysis through the weekend.
Round 2, No. 53 overall: CJ Allen, LB, Georgia
My take: The Colts absolutely had to make a splash at linebacker after trading away veteran starting middle linebacker and captain Zaire Franklin last month. In Allen, Indianapolis gets a Butkus Award finalist (nation’s top linebacker) and a semifinalist for the Jason Witten Collegiate Man of the Year Award. He will be given a chance to immediately take the reins at middle linebacker in coordinator Lou Anarumo’s defense, where the Colts were aiming to get younger and faster in 2026. Allen seems capable of taking over the play-calling responsibilities on defense, which is something he did the past two seasons at Georgia.
When will be expected to get regular playing time?: Unless Allen is a disappointment, look for him to be a Day 1 starter for the Colts. They traded Franklin, haven’t re-signed 2025 starter Germaine Pratt and have very little depth remaining at linebacker. That will put a fair amount of pressure on Allen to come in and have an immediate impact, something he won’t shy away from. “I don’t look at it as it’s a big challenge,” he said Friday night. “It’s a big opportunity.”
Round 3, No. 78 overall: A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
My take: The Colts checked another box with their second pick of Day 2, grabbing a versatile safety who projects as a possible starter at strong safety in 2026. Haulcy was a first-team All-SEC selection at LSU and has eight combined interceptions in the past two seasons at Houston and LSU. The Colts recently lost starting strong safety Nick Cross in free agency after he signed a two-year deal with the Washington Commanders. That puts Haulcy in line to join veteran free safety Cam Bynum on the back end of the defense.
Key stat: Haulcy’s eight interceptions in 2024-25 ranks fourth in FBS. The Colts had 14 interceptions last season, led by Bynum’s four. But the rest of their secondary did not contribute much to that total. Only Mekhi Blackmon had multiple picks among Indianapolis defensive backs.
Round 4, No. 113: Jalen Farmer, OG, Kentucky
My take: The Colts already have a workable starting five on their offensive line, but they at minimum add potential quality depth here with a powerful but nimble interior lineman. Farmer started 24 games over the past two seasons at Kentucky, playing right guard for the entirety of his career at UK and Florida. Farmer allowed one pressure on 416 pass blocks in 2025 (0.2% pressure rate), the fifth lowest in FBS. Adding Farmer gives the Colts options along their offensive line, as they have a history of trying to assemble a unit that features their five best blockers regardless of position.
Round 4, No. 135 overall: Bryce Boettcher, LB, Oregon
My take: The Colts add another physical linebacker with this dual-sport athlete who once was a scholarship baseball player at Oregon. Boettcher spent most of his time (73% of snaps) at inside linebacker, and he has the production to show for it. He led all major conferenc FBS players with 131 tackles, fifth-most in the country. The Colts got a good up-close-and-personal look at Boettcher when assistant linebackers Cato June coached his position at the Senior Bowl.
Round 5, No. 156: George Gumbs Jr., DE, Florida
My take: The Colts were in the market for an edge rusher earlier in the draft, but their failure to address it in previous rounds is softened a bit by this pick. Gumbs doesn’t have robust production — 7.5 sacks in two seasons at Florida — but he has good size and the explosiveness teams seek on the edge. At 6-4 and 245 pounds, Gumbs ran a 4.66-second 40-yard dash at the NFL combine.
Round 6, No. 214 overall: Caden Curry, DE, Ohio State
My take: The Colts take their second straight defensive end, adding the very productive Curry, who grew up in the Indianapolis suburbs. Curry registered 11 sacks for Ohio State in 2025, his first and only season as a starter.
He displayed versatility up and down the defensive line, lining up on the edge and, on third downs, as an interior pass rusher. Among his best attributes is his high motor, which enables him to increase his production because of his effort.
Remaining picks:
Round 7: Nos. 237, 254
