Colts Select Georgia LB CJ Allen in Round 2, Pick 53

In the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the 53rd overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.

The Colts initially had pick 47, but traded back with the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Colts sent 2:47 and 7:249 to Pittsburgh in exchange for 2:53, 4:135, and 7:237.

Allen is a classic linebacker type, who's well balanced as a run defender and in coverage. At 6'0-3/4" and 230 pounds, he's stout and powerful, and has good athleticism and range to move sideline to sideline.

Allen is also known as a strong leader with a high football IQ, and who makes very few mistakes.

Allen isn't much of a playmaker. In 41 career games, he has just one interception and two forced fumbles.

The Colts needed a new MIKE linebacker after trading away Zaire Franklin, and Allen immediately fills that role and should start for the Colts. This now allows Akeem Davis-Gaither to play his more natural position of WILL.

"Allen could fill the Colts’ need for a new green dot on defense after moving on from Zaire Franklin and would be the younger and faster option at the position the team is looking for. They would need to find a linebacker who excels in coverage if they went this route to pair with Allen, but he would for sure fit one of the roles at linebacker the Colts need to upgrade."