Powered by Roundtable

Who are the Indianapolis Colts' five best options in each round of the 2026 NFL Draft, at their biggest areas of need?

The Indianapolis Colts will likely look to Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft to fill their needs at receiver, and Ted Hurst is an ideal candidate.

It's officially NFL Draft Week, as ColtsRoundtable continues the hunt for prospective Indianapolis Colts players throughout Rounds 2 through 7.

The team doesn't have a first-round pick this year or next year as a result of trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner, so it's been more important than ever to dig deep for potential fits.

Today, ColtsRoundtable brings a top-five big board for each round in which the Colts pick, made up only of players from their three biggest needs: edge defender, linebacker, and wide receiver. A player's placement is based on their average draft position (ADP) on NFL Mock Draft Database.

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) swats the ball from Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) during the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn ImagesSep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) swats the ball from Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) during the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

ROUND 2

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas: Perhaps no player in the draft fits the Colts as well as Hill. With his blend of size, length, athleticism, and playmaking, he perfectly brings together everything that both general manager Chris Ballard and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo look for in a linebacker.

ED Gabe Jacas, Illinois: There aren't many edge players available at this point who appear to be immediate productive pass rushers, but Jacas is certainly one. The former state champion wrestler plays physically and can convert speed to power. His run defense is a work in progress, but he has the physical traits to fix it.

ED Malachi Lawrence: Lawrence already has a pass-rush repertoire, and he's got the strength and athleticism to be a key player right off the bat. He's a productive player with at least 11.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks in two out of the last three years.

LB Jacob Rodriguez: The Colts could use a classic field general at MIKE linebacker, and that's what Rodriguez is. He's got great instincts and an uncanny knack for taking the football away, accounting for a combined 19 interceptions and forced/recovered fumbles since 2024.

ED Zion Young, Missouri: There isn't a better run-defending edge than Young available in Round 2 or later. He's got assertive power and has been productive as a pass rusher without yet developing much finesse in his game. If the Colts want someone to replace Kwity Paye and start from day one, this might be the guy.

If They Trade Down: Tennessee WR Chris Brazzell II, Cincinnati LB Jake Golday, Missouri LB Josiah Trotter

Nov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) looks into the backfield during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn ImagesNov 22, 2025; College Park, Maryland, USA; Michigan Wolverines linebacker Jaishawn Barham (1) looks into the backfield during the second half against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

ROUND 3

ED Jaishawn Barham, Michigan: Barham is only a year into his transition from linebacker to edge, but he already has enticing traits and tape that have caused his stock to rise. He's got a physical edge to him and is explosive in pursuit. There aren't many high-ranking edges in this class who have shown promise both as pass rushers and run defenders.

WR Skyler Bell, UConn: Bell lacks ideal size, measuring below 6'0" and 200 pounds, but he's an explosive player before and after the catch who gets separation and creates yards after catch. He's also coming off a 101-catch, 1,278-yard, 13-touchdown campaign. His traits often translate to NFL success.

ED Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State: Penn State always seems to have some lengthy, explosive edge rusher, and this may finally be the year the Colts get one. Dennis-Sutton is stout against the run, has been productive at attacking the backfield for three years, and has the added cherry on top of having blocked three kicks last year.

WR Ted Hurst, Georgia State: Hurst is a height/weight/speed prospect who has the flexibility to develop a broad route tree, but also be dangerous after the catch. This is Ballard's type of receiver.

LB Josiah Trotter, Missouri: Trotter is a young prospect who is already well ahead of the curve as a run defender. He's a work in progress in coverage, but he's a rangy, explosive player who should get better in that area over time. Trotter is an eventual stud, three-down MIKE prospect.

Sep 14, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers nose tackle Keyron Crawford (24) against the New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn ImagesSep 14, 2024; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers nose tackle Keyron Crawford (24) against the New Mexico Lobos at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images

ROUND 4

ED Keyron Crawford, Auburn: Crawford has the size, strength, and athleticism that may push him up the board before this, but he lacks the productivity you'd hope to see with his traits.

LB Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU: Elarms-Orr is a lengthy, explosive defender with a ton of production as a MIKE linebacker. He's a bit stiff, though, and his explosion is mostly linear, so you're likely going to desire more than what he can deliver in coverage. Still, his traits are worth betting on.

LB Keyshaun Elliott, Arizona State: Elliott is a Jack of all trades, master of none. He's got favorable athleticism, and while he's not exceptional in any one area, he's also not a detriment either. He's just a solid football player and one of the last startable MIKEs in this class.

WR Ja'Kobi Lane, USC: There's been a lot of discussion as to what type of player the Colts should covet to replace Michael Pittman Jr., and Lane is one of the last ideal options. Lane is a touch taller, longer, faster, and more explosive, but Pittman had 20 pounds on Lane coming out of USC in 2020. Pittman was much more polished and productive between the 20s, but Lane is an intriguing red-zone specialist who wins jump balls against anybody.

WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss: Stribling is another height/weight/speed prospect with good hands and excellent ability after the catch. The only reason I can think of for why he isn't projected in the top 50 is that he's 23, has played for three schools, and has had solid but never big-time production. Still, he's a perfect fit for the Colts, especially any time after Round 2.

Nov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a play in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn ImagesNov 1, 2025; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Florida Gators edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. (34) celebrates a play in the second half against the Georgia Bulldogs at EverBank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Pendleton-Imagn Images

ROUND 5

WR Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati: If the Colts really want to take a swing on a physical specimen, Caldwell is 6'5", 216 pounds, ran a 4.31, and had jumps of 42 inches vertically and 11'2" in the broad jump. He's a bit of a projection because he spent three years at FCS Lindenwood before transferring up to Louisville. So far, he's been a one-trick pony, using his vertical ability to make an impact. A team may reach higher for him if they believe there's more to his game to be unlocked.

ED Caden Curry, Ohio State: Curry is a one-year impact player with a ton of production in that one year for the Buckeyes, but it's hard to see how it translates to the NFL, other than having good strength and effort. He didn't do enough athletic testing during the pre-draft process to know how he measures there, and his arms are historically short. Still, a team could be willing to take a flyer on him this late in the draft, betting on him being a productive player.

LB Aiden Fisher, Indiana: If the Colts strike out trying to find a MIKE linebacker in the first four rounds, Fisher is likely their last shot at getting a starter. He's got plus football IQ and instincts, and his feel for zone coverage is well above average.

ED George Gumbs Jr., Florida: If a team wants to take a late chance on a traitsy pass rusher, Gumbs is a great option. He's 6'4", 245, with nearly 34-inch arms, and had great athletic testing at the Combine. What's been missing has been the productivity (just 7.5 sacks in two years at Florida), but some team will take a chance that they can get the most out of him.

ED Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan: Tucker is a bit of a mystery. He worked his way up from two different community colleges to Houston and ultimately to Western Michigan. He had only one year of production outside of CC, but it was outstanding, with 21 tackles for loss, 14.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. While that production is eye-popping, and you see the explosive traits on film, he's going to be a 26-year-old rookie whose athletic testing was just fine.

Oct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) attempts to get into the backfield during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn ImagesOct 25, 2025; Starkville, Mississippi, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Trey Moore (8) attempts to get into the backfield during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Davis Wade Stadium at Scott Field. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-Imagn Images

ROUND 6

ED Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke: Anthony is a big, stout edge defender, solid against the run and with some ability as a pass rusher. He had a good week in Mobile, Ala., at the Senior Bowl.

LB Justin Jefferson, Alabama: Jefferson is a bit undersized at 6'0", 223, but he's got good athleticism and is productive in coverage.

ED Trey Moore, Texas: Moore is intriguing as one of the en vogue players with off-ball and edge rush flexibility. He's started 46 career games between UTSA and Texas, but he's not an elite athlete and isn't dominant in any one area. At worst, he's a special-teams player with endearing qualities for a defensive coordinator to work with.

ED Mason Reiger, Wisconsin: Reiger has above-average size for edge, with the strength and athleticism to be a productive rotational base end.

WR Reggie Virgil, Texas Tech: If the Colts are going to ask more of Ashton Dulin as a receiver this year, then they may want to get another player in to be "the next Ashton Dulin" on special teams. Virgil has a decent mix of size, speed, and athleticism and had nearly 250 special-teams snaps in college.

Oct 18, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (15) is tackled by Central Florida Knights linebacker Nyjalik Kelly (9) in the first half for a fourth down stop at Acrisure Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn ImagesOct 18, 2025; Orlando, Florida, USA; West Virginia Mountaineers quarterback Scotty Fox Jr. (15) is tackled by Central Florida Knights linebacker Nyjalik Kelly (9) in the first half for a fourth down stop at Acrisure Bounce House. Mandatory Credit: Russell Lansford-Imagn Images

ROUND 7

LB Wesley Bissainthe, Miami: Bissainthe's got some decent ability in coverage, but his strength and pursuit make him a good special teams prospect.

LB Jaden Dugger, UL-Lafayette: Dugger was a wide receiver and defensive back in high school, who began college as a safety. Eventually, he transitioned to linebacker. His pro day performance was eye-popping, measuring at nearly 6'5" and 242 pounds, with 35" arms and a wingspan over 7'. He ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash, with a 34" vertical and 10'6" broad jump. The Colts had a 30 visit with him.

ED Nyjalik Kelly, UCF: The other UCF edge not named Malachi Lawrence, Kelly has some physical and athletic tools to work with as well, but modest production.

LB Namdi Obiazor, TCU: The safety-turned-linebacker is another heady player who, at the very least, has high-end special teams upside.

WR J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida: Sturdivant is nearly 6'3", over 200 pounds, and had good athletic testing. He's transferred a couple of times, so maybe some stability could help him reach his potential, but he doesn't have anything beyond modest productivity.