ARTHUR: The One and Only 2026 Colts Mock Draft

We're now mere hours from the beginning of the 2026 NFL Draft, which brings about my one and only Indianapolis Colts mock draft of the year.

Last year, I correctly predicted the Colts would take Jaylahn Tuimoloau in the second round, Riley Leonard in the sixth, and Hunter Wohler in the seventh. I projected Tyler Warren would be gone by the Colts' first-round pick, leading them to take Colston Loveland. However, the reverse happened in reality, where Loveland was taken with the 10th pick, and Warren went to the Colts at 14. Right position, wrong player.

Let's hope we have similar success in this year's event.

First, you can't do a Colts mock draft without some trades involved. There have already been three real trades by the Colts that have affected this draft, with their original first-rounder (No. 16) now belonging to the New York Jets, their sixth-rounder (No. 196) going to the Minnesota Vikings, and one of their sevenths (No. 230) going to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Here are the trades I project the Colts to make during the draft. Keep in mind that it's more about the range at which they trade than the trade partner:

LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas

You'd be hard-pressed to find a more appropriate player for the Colts in the entire draft than Hill, and that's even if they still had their first-round pick.

The Colts are rebuilding their linebacker corps after misjudging their group last year. Out are 2025 starters Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt (as well as key backup Segun Olubi), and the only notable addition they've made is Akeem Davis Gaither, who's been a backup for five of his six years.

This week, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen discussed what they're looking for in linebackers in this draft.

"We've drafted pretty good there, and every one of them could run," Ballard said. "But the ability to play on three downs, speed, those things to me are always really important. Instincts. Guys that have a feel for it and then also their ability to translate to special teams and play on teams. So, athleticism, speed, ability to play on three downs are always kind of what we're looking for at linebacker."

"Just getting faster," Steichen said. "Obviously, guys that can be playmakers, take the ball away. Ball production will be huge at that position. And obviously guys that can tackle and run."

Hill has the perfect size and length for the MIKE linebacker position, measuring 6'2", 238, with arms over 32 inches long and a wingspan over 6'5".

As for the speed and athleticism that Ballard and Steichen speak of, Hill scored third among linebackers at the Combine in the 40-yard dash (4.51), 10-yard split (1.58), and broad jump (10'5"), and was 10th in the vertical jump (37.00"), which is still in the 79th percentile among linebackers historically.

Hill is also a true three-down player, scoring a grade of 88.8 in tackling, 79.7 in run defense, and 63.6 in coverage, according to Pro Football Focus. He is proactive when attacking the run, allowed a passer rating of just 62.6 when targeted last year, and had nearly 300 career snaps lined up in the secondary, and even generated 16 pressures as a pass rusher in 2025.

When it comes to instincts and playmaking ability, Hill has no shortage of that either, accumulating 31.5 tackles for loss, 17.0 sacks, eight forced fumbles, two fumbles recovered, three interceptions, and another four pass breakups in his three years at Texas.

Hill only has 51 special teams snaps to his name in college, but you're not using your first pick on a guy to be both a starter and play extensively on special teams.

WR De'Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss

The Colts have traded away Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell since November, so they need to replace Pittman's reliability, toughness, and willingness to do the dirty work, as well as the blend of size, speed, athleticism, and playmaking ability that Mitchell brought. Pittman was the Colts' top receiver for much of the last six years, and Mitchell was supposed to be the future of the Colts' group.

Steichen spoke this week about what traits he covets in a receiver.

"I think separation at the top of routes is big for me," Steichen said. "Can they win one-on-one on the outside? Obviously, they’ve got to have great hands, and then depending on their skillset, their body type – are they a slot receiver? Are they an outside receiver? Do they have a feel for zone coverage? If you're in the slot on option routes, whether it be that – the bigger body type guys, being physical at the top of routes is huge for me and the separation is big, and the explosive ability.

"When some of these guys – you look at some of these guys coming out in the draft, the ability to catch and get YAC after the catch. Whether it's a shallow route or catching a slant and then (the) explosive ability to go create that YAC is huge because that's how you score points and that's how you become explosive."

Enter Stribling, who was led through his pro day workout by Colts wide receivers coach Reggie Wayne. Wayne tends to get his guys, as he showed strong pre-draft interest in eventual Colts picks Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Mitchell. Does he feel strongly about Stribling as well?

At 6'2", 207, Stribling is a well-built prospect, and he's explosive with his size, running a 4.36 in the 40, with a 36-inch vertical and 10'7" broad jump.

He's got very good hands and attacks the ball rather than constantly allowing it to come into his body, with three of his five college seasons registering either 1 or 0 drops.

Stribling is explosive both before and after the catch, gaining separation with his speed, but also with his quickness in and out of his breaks. With the ball in his hands, he shows good acceleration and leaves defenders behind him.

His run blocking grade of 76.6 (PFF) is also the third-highest among receivers in this year's draft.

Stribling may not be a starter right away for the Colts, but he's one of the most pro-ready receivers the Colts could hope to find outside of the first round.

ED Keyron Crawford, Auburn

Defensive end is Ballard's most notorious position of selection in his time as the Colts GM. He's selected just about every type of edge defender there is, and there have been some good players landed, but no great ones.

Ballard spoke about what traits the team is currently looking for in an edge rusher.

"With Lou (Anarumo), the element of power is important," Ballard said. "I do think adding a fastball is kind of what we need, but I'm not eliminating the other guys. But with Lou, length – guys that are long. You can see kind of the guys we brought in. Those kind of guys he gravitates to."

So, for defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, he wants someone with power and length. Ballard would prefer someone who's fast/explosive off the edge.

Crawford brings a mix of all of that, he's just yet to put it all together.

He measured at over 6'4" and 253 at the Combine, with 32-inch arms (32.5" at Auburn's pro day). A quad injury has kept Crawford from doing pre-draft workout testing, but he has some of the fastest on-field GPS playspeed among this year's edge class.

As a player, Crawford has twitch and can bend the edge. He's powerful through contact, and he has a relentless motor. He just needs to be able to slow the game down.

Crawford only started playing football as a high school senior after a long period focused on basketball, so he's still relatively new to the sport and developing his instincts.

DB VJ Payne, Kansas State

Safety has been a theme for the Colts throughout the offseason, adding Juanyeh Thomas, Jonathan Owens, and Nasir Adderley.

There's one safety role in concrete for the Colts, with Cam Bynum being the free safety, but there really is a potential for four safeties to contribute: a free safety, a strong safety, a sub-package high safety, and a sub-package box safety.

One player I've heard the Colts are interested in throughout the process is Payne, a highly experienced player who's started for three years and appeared in 52 games. He has over 1,100 snaps in the box, over 550 at free safety, nearly 500 in the slot, and another 39 lined up out wide.

At 6'3", 206, with above-average athleticism, a creative defensive mind like Anarumo would have multiple ideas for ways to use Payne.

Payne has a more slender free safety's build, but the toughness and aggressiveness of a strong safety. He also has quick hips and feet, which could even allow him to play more often on the outside. A year one projection could be an even more athletic Jaylon Jones.

ED George Gumbs Jr., Florida

If the Colts aren't going to use their first pick on an edge player, it would be wise to double up and bet on traits. Gumbs is a little lighter than Crawford, but has longer arms at almost 34 inches. He also tested as the seventh most athletic edge at the Combine.

Like Crawford, Gumbs is explosive and tough off the edge with a non-stop motor. He's both quick and fast, with plenty of bend. Gumbs is settling into his new positional home of edge after also playing wide receiver and tight end earlier in college, so he's another traits-based projection.

While you'd prefer to get an edge defender before Round 4, betting on players like Crawford and Gumbs, who have tons of physical/athletic tools and offer what Ballard and Anarumo are looking for, is a decent wager.

OT Drew Shelton, Penn State

The Colts need to add more competition at swing tackle, as Blake Freeland had a rough second season in 2024 before suffering a season-ending ankle injury prior to his third season. His main competitor, Luke Tenuta, has 35 career snaps in the NFL.

Shelton tested well athletically at the Combine and has 34 career starts at left tackle. Just like Colts 2025 mid-round pick Jalen Travis, Shelton is a nimble big man with a basketball background.

DT Bryson Eason, Tennessee

The Colts need a legitimate backup to Grover Stewart at one-tech. Veteran newcomer Derrick Nnadi's best days are behind him, and last year's sixth-round pick, Tim Smith, spent most of his rookie year on the practice squad.

Eason (6'2", 323) is a former linebacker who still moves like it, showing off good power and athleticism. He's got the ability to slip through the cracks and harass the backfield.

He's a six-year player at Tennessee who started the last two seasons, accumulating 22.0 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks over his career.

According to PFF, Eason had the most QB hits (four) of his career in 2025 and his lowest missed tackle rate (12.5%).

RB Kaelon Black, Indiana

The Colts need a complement to Jonathan Taylor beyond what DJ Giddens provided in his limited action last year.

The Colts have desired a Zack Moss-type player who can gut out tough yards on the inside and outside, and contribute on all three downs since he left in free agency in 2024.

Black can provide that and is solid as a three-tool player when it comes to running, catching, and pass blocking. He also played as a core special-teamer for the Hoosiers in 2024.

Ballard is also sure to love that Black participated in the Senior Bowl all week, less than two weeks after winning the national championship.

The Colts have shown some interest in Black throughout the process and had him in-house for their local pro day.

IOL James Brockermeyer, Miami

The Colts like undersized centers with plus athleticism who can get out and move, and that's what Brockermeyer is. Similar to current Colts center Tanor Bortolini, Brockermeyer is well known for his football IQ and ability to stay alive in a play by any means necessary.

The Colts lost longtime backup center Danny Pinter this offseason, and Bortolini has missed time in each of the last two years due to concussions, so the need is there.

LB Jaden Dugger, UL-Lafayette

As much as Hill fits the Colts at the top of the draft, Dugger is nearly as good a fit at the end of it. They had a 30 visit with Dugger, so there's a level of intrigue on their part.

He 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 feet. He ran a 4.61 in the 40-yard dash, with a 34" vertical and 10'6" broad jump.

If a late-round pick like Dugger is going to make it on the Colts, it'd have to be through special teams first — Ballard basically said as much — and he has 368 snaps there to his name in college.

"Their ability to translate to special teams and play on teams," Ballard said about key traits to finding linebackers. "Like all that matters, and that's why special teams is so important. I think Zaire (Franklin) is a great example of a guy that – like you learn everything on teams. You learn how to take on blocks, you learn how to play fast and with speed, but then have to get under control and tackle in space. Like you learn a lot playing on teams. Usually, I can – you can tell. Like if a guy ends up being really good on teams, there’s a chance he can ascend."

DT Uar Bernard, Nigeria

Bernard is a total shot at the dart board, but with one of the final picks in the draft, why not? The Colts had a 30 visit with him as well.

The 21-year-old prospect from Nigeria burst onto the scene late in the process while taking part in the pre-draft HBCU showcase.

Bernard's measurements grabbed enough attention, measuring in at 6'4-1/2" and 306 pounds, with 11-inch hands, arms just under 36 inches long, and a wingspan over seven feet. However, it was how his body exploded with all that size that blew people's minds.

He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.60 seconds (10-yard split of 1.58), had a vertical leap of 39 inches, a broad jump of 10'6", and bench pressed 225 pounds 31 times. He also had a 4.57-second short shuttle and a three-cone of 8.13.

Among the all-time ranks at the NFL Combine, Bernard's vertical and broad jumps would've been the best ever. His 40 would've been second only to Adetomiwa Adebawore, who is entering his fourth season in the NFL with the Colts. Adebawore also holds the vertical and broad jump Combine records for defensive tackles.