A recent exercise on NFL.com re-drafted the entire NFL through seven rounds. Who did the Indianapolis Colts come away with?
This is the time of the NFL calendar when analysts let their minds run wild, so for the fifth consecutive year, Chad Reuter of NFL.com has re-drafted the entire NFL.
Every player currently on an NFL roster was eligible to be selected by the 32 teams, and the main objective for each team was to form a roster that would help them win "right now."
The order was based on the original 2026 draft order, with all teams having their first-round picks back if they traded them, as the Indianapolis Colts did. The order is also a round-by-round snake order, in which it reverses each round.
Here is who the Colts selected.
Jan 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) reacts after a defensive play against the Indianapolis Colts during the first half at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn ImagesRound 1, Pick 16
ED Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans
If you can't get an elite quarterback or offensive tackle at the top of the draft, then having an elite edge player fall to you at No. 16 is ideal. The Colts know firsthand what Anderson is capable of, having played him twice a year in the division as he sets a powerful edge and consistently applies pressure on the backfield. Anderson became the highest-paid non-quarterback in NFL history this offseason when he signed a three-year, $150 million extension with Houston.
Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws a touchdown pass against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn ImagesRound 2, Pick 51
QB Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts get their own quarterback back and can feel decent about it. Injury concerns aside — he's never played a full season and is returning from an Achilles injury — Jones showed in the first half of last season, when he was healthy, that he and head coach Shane Steichen can be an elite play-caller/quarterback duo.
Nov 9, 2025; Berlin, Germany; Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Drake London (5) catches a touchdown pass ahead of Indianapolis Colts linebacker Germaine Pratt (53) during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesRound 3, Pick 78
WR Drake London, Atlanta Falcons
The Colts get a bona fide WR1 in the third round, as Falcons playmaker London is their first offensive skill-position player. London signed a huge extension with Atlanta this offseason for four years and $141 million. He's just under 25 years old and averages 85 catches for 1,086 yards and six touchdowns per year despite never having consistent quarterback play.
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) breaks up a pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) on Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, during a game at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Mandatory Credit: Mykal McEldowney/IndyStarRound 4, Pick 113
CB Sauce Gardner, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts get another one of their own back after spending their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to get Gardner. He is now healthy and fully ingraining himself as a member of the Colts after being acquired in-season last November. The Colts and Gardner are expecting big things in 2026. If Gardner returns to being an elite-level cover corner, then getting him in the fourth is an absolute steal here.
Sep 4, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Tyler Smith (73) blocks against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn ImagesRound 5, Pick 144
G Tyler Smith, Dallas Cowboys
In reality, the Colts are home to one of the NFL's most elite interior offensive linemen in Quenton Nelson, so they're able to get Smith here to replace him. Smith has already been named to three Pro Bowls and was named Second-Team All-Pro in his four years. He's also proven to be versatile, making starts at left guard and left tackle.
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles (0) celebrates in the first half at Camp Randall Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 18, 2025 in Madison, Wisconsin. Mandatory Credit: Samantha Madar/Columbus DispatchRound 6, Pick 179
LB Sonny Styles, Washington Commanders
Styles is one of the most exciting young linebacker prospects to enter the NFL in a while, as he was chosen seventh overall in this year's draft by Washington. He has a rare blend of size (6'5", 244), speed, explosiveness, and power while showing rapid development in the mental aspects of the game.
Dec 28, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New England Patriots running back Treveyon Henderson (32) runs the ball against the New York Jets during the first quarter of the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn ImagesRound 7, Pick 206
RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
The Colts add another offensive playmaker here at the end of the draft, picking Henderson after he produced 1,132 yards from scrimmage and 10 total touchdowns as a rookie for the Patriots. Henderson is an explosive player with the ability to never leave the field because of his abilities as a pass catcher and protector.
