A recent seven-round mock draft bypasses some of the Indianapolis Colts' most pressing needs in order to become dominant in the trenches.
The Indianapolis Colts have clear objectives for the 2026 NFL Draft.
First, find more juice in the defensive front seven, specifically with a power edge defender and a MIKE linebacker. They also need to replace what they lost at receiver in Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell.
Next, they have other peripheral needs, such as offensive line and running back depth, as well as players who factor into the future at cornerback and safety.
ROUND 2, PICK 47
LB Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
The Colts check a couple of significant boxes here. Not only do they need to get more athletic and explosive in the front seven, but Hill can address the specific need at MIKE linebacker, allowing the Colts to play free-agent signing Akeem Davis-Gaither at his most natural spot at WILL.
Hill has the size, athleticism, and playmaking ability to be the Colts' next great linebacker. He has been a productive, 2.5-year starter who should contribute immediately against the run and pass.
ROUND 3, PICK 78
OT Caleb Tiernan, Northwestern
The Colts already have a starting right tackle to replace Braden Smith in Jalen Travis, and while edge rusher or wide receiver would be more appropriate here, it's hard to argue with getting stronger on the offensive line.
One for one as prospects, Tiernan is probably the better draft prospect than Travis was, but now that we've seen Travis play good football in the NFL, it's hard to justify yanking him out of the starting lineup with his size and athleticism.
Tiernan (6'8", 323), a team captain at Northwestern, has started 43 games between left and right tackle and would immediately become the Colts' best swing tackle option.
ROUND 4, PICK 113
DE LT Overton, Alabama
The Colts need help at edge on the strong side, and while Overton can help provide that, he's not quite as impactful a player as the Colts need. He would essentially be competing with Micheal Clemons to be the backup strong side end.
Overton has great size (6'3", 274) and length (33-1/4" arms) for the base end spot, and what he lacks in pass rush athleticism, he makes up for in power and stoutness as a run defender.
ROUND 5, PICK 156
DT Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
This is the right idea, but maybe the wrong specific spot here, with the Colts selecting an interior defender. They do need more tackle depth, but more so behind Grover Stewart at one-techn rather than another three-tech, where they already have DeForest Buckner, Colby Wooden, and Adetomiwa Adebawore.
Onyedim is a three-year starter for Iowa State and Texas A&M, who is nimble and productive, totaling 123 tackles (17.5 for loss) and 4.5 sacks in the last three years.
Dec 30, 2025; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joey Aguilar (6) scrambles and runs for a touchdown against the Illinois Fighting Illini during the first half at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn ImagesROUND 6, PICK 214 (from PIT)
QB Joey Aguilar, Tennessee
The Colts have been doing their research on mid- to late-round quarterbacks, likely to push Riley Leonard as QB2 and to upgrade the QB3 spot over Seth Henigan, assuming Leonard wins the QB2 role.
Aguilar is fine in several areas, including build (6'3", 229), athleticism, arm strength, and poise, but he could use stability and a calm environment to develop. He's gone from Diablo Valley Community College to the Appalachian State, and then to Tennessee. He's shown adequate physical and mental makeup, but needs to develop within a single system and learn his weapons.
ROUND 7, PICK 249
S Jakobe Thomas, Miami
Thomas is a three-year starter with a ton of experience, having started 29 of 53 career games at Middle Tennessee State, Tennessee, and Miami. He's a tenacious player with great instincts, football IQ, and ball skills, but reckless when it comes to tackling. He projects as an immediate special-teamer but could be a starting safety early in his career.
Thomas could likely come in and compete with Hunter Wohler and Juanyeh Thomas for the Colts’ strong safety spot. At a minimum, Thomas could have a role in dime packages. Still, the Colts have a lot of bodies at the front of their defensive back depth chart, and anyone they draft would likely be with more of an eye for the future.
ROUND 7, PICK 254
DT Brandon Cleveland, NC State
Here is the potential backup nose tackle the Colts should be looking for, rather than Onyedim, who they took earlier in this mock. Cleveland is a space-eater who is stoutly built and packs a powerful punch. He could immediately come in and compete with Tim Smith for a rotational role.
The 2026 NFL Draft begins on Thurs., April 23, with Round 1 beginning at 8:00 p.m. ET. Day 2, which includes Rounds 2 and 3, begins on Fri., April 24 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The third and final day, which includes Rounds 4, 5, 6, and 7, begins at 12:00 p.m. ET on Sat., April 25.