Don't Be Surprised If Colts Wait to Address Linebacker in Draft

No matter who you ask, the Indianapolis Colts' most significant needs all include linebacker near the top of the list.

Both former starters Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt are out the door, and the only suitable addition the team made, Akeem Davis-Gaither, is still a replacement-level player.

So, the Colts will be taking a linebacker with one of their first couple of picks in next week's draft, right? While the Colts will likely have linebacker high on their to-do list, don't expect them to force it.

The Colts most need a MIKE linebacker, and prospects such as Anthony Hill Jr., Jacob Rodriguez, and Josiah Trotter fit well for what they need right now. Jake Golday and Kyle Louis may have questionable fits with the Colts initially, but a defensive coordinator like Lou Anarumo can figure it out.

However, if the Colts strike out on those players, they likely won't panic. Mid-round linebacker prospects Deontae Lawson, Keyshaun Elliott, and Harold Perkins make some level of sense for Indy, but the Colts have also shown a clear interest in a handful of mid- to late-round players:

Kaleb Elarms-Orr, TCU: The Colts are reportedly "very high" on Elarms-Orr and even sent a linebackers coach to TCU's pro day to watch him. He's got great size (6'2", 234) and is even more explosive. Plus, he has high-level productivity. What you miss with him in coverage, he makes up for in run-stuffing and open-field range.

Aiden Fisher, Indiana: The Colts hosted Fisher for their local pro day. His superpowers are his instincts and football IQ. He's not the explosive athlete that Elarms-Orr is, but he always finds himself in the right place and is a responsible player to have around. His comfort level on the field has allowed him to be ultra-productive as a three-year starter, totaling 323 tackles (22 for loss), 7.5 sacks, three interceptions, and 12 pass breakups over the last three years.

Jaden Dugger, UL-Lafayette: The Colts had a 30 visit with Dugger, who has an intriguing background and profile. He was a wide receiver and defensive back in high school, who got to college as a safety. Eventually, he transitioned to linebacker, where he ultimately became a MIKE. 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.

Namdi Obiazor, TCU: While the Colts were on hand at TCU's pro day for Elarms-Orr, they also got a look at Obiazor. He's another former safety who is a 24-year-old three-year starter with good instincts and production. He could be an early special teams contributor.

Khalil Jacobs, Missouri: Jacobs is an explosive special-teams prospect whom the Colts hosted for a 30 visit early in the draft cycle.

Jackson Kuwatch, Miami (OH): The Colts hosted Kuwatch for a 30 visit in March. The former Ohio State walk-on had one season of productivity for Miami (OH) in 2025, but he did it big, with 109 tackles (10 for loss) and 5.0 sacks.

General manager Chris Ballard and the Colts have earned the right to be patient with drafting linebackers at this point based on their track record, as long as they're making the early picks count.

Since Ballard became the Colts' GM in 2017, Franklin, E.J. Speed, Anthony Walker Jr., Matthew Adams, Jaylon Carlies, and Jordan Glasgow were all taken by the Colts in the fifth, sixth, or seventh rounds. To further show they have been able to find talent throughout, Shaquille Leonard and Bobby Okereke were second and third-round picks, respectively.

So, while logic says the Colts should probably use one of their two top-100 draft picks next week on a linebacker, don't find yourself surprised if they go elsewhere.