Colts Select Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher in Round 4, Pick 135

In the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft, with the 135th overall pick, the Indianapolis Colts selected Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher.

While a bit narrow as a linebacker (6'1", 230), Boettcher is a tenacious player on defense. He likes to attack in the run game and has the range to meet outside runs and screen passes on arrival at the line of scrimmage. He is a quality player in coverage, whose ability to close on the ball is high-end.

Boettcher is a productive player, who led the Big Ten in tackles with 136.

Boetthcer lacks elite measurables, athletically and physically, which can sometimes lead to him being absorbed by blockers. He really has no defining traits outside of his effort and motor. He can be fooled by misdirection, counters, and play-action.

The Colts already drafted a green-dot MIKE linebacker in the second round, with CJ Allen. However, there's nothing that says Boettcher can't play WILL. However, the Colts could view him as the third linebacker, filling in at MIKE and WILL, while being a core special-teamer. Boettcher has nearly 600 special teams snaps in his career at Oregon, which is his clearest path to finding a role.

"Boettcher is a hard-working linebacker prospect with core four special teams upside. He has some promise as a coverage backer, but his lack of traits and inconsistencies in the run game likely label him as a pure special teams player in the league. There is still immense value in that type of player, even on day three, for the Colts."