A new 2026 NFL mock draft started solidly for the Indianapolis Colts before taking a sharp turn with their second pick.
The Indianapolis Colts face a pivotal offseason in which they do everything possible to ensure enough winning in 2026 to save jobs.
That means making the right, impactful moves in free agency and selecting players who can contribute immediately in the 2026 NFL Draft despite not having a first-round pick.
Regarding the draft, NFL Analyst Gordon McGuinness from Pro Football Focus put together a three-round 2026 NFL mock draft this week, and it started solid for the Colts with their first selection before taking a sharp turn with their second pick.
With their first pick being in the second round, 47th overall, the Colts selected Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday.
Oct 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) attempts to tackle UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn ImagesGolday checks the box of being an immediate contributor. At 6'4", 240, he has an outstanding frame, the type that Colts defensive coordinator tends to favor in his linebackers. Golday isn't an old-school run thumper with that size, though.
He picks up steam quickly and harasses the line of scrimmage and backfield relentlessly. Along with being a proactive difference-maker against the run, he's got natural abilities and instincts in coverage, flying sideline to sideline.
The Colts are due for a makeover at linebacker. Not only were they vulnerable over the middle of the field in coverage last year, but the lack of playmaking at the second level was clear. Just one Colts linebacker (Germaine Pratt) ranked among the team's top-10 highest-graded defensive players according to PFF, and he's set to be a free agent. Franklin had the worst PFF grade of his career and was marked for career-worsts in overall grade, run defense, coverage, tackling, missed tackle rate, and stops.
With the Golday pick being essentially the best-case scenario, McGuinness made a puzzling pick for the Colts next in the third round with Penn State quarterback Drew Allar.
If a team takes a quarterback in the third round, the intention is typically to get a high-end backup or an eventual starter. The issue is that the Colts intend to commit to quarterback Daniel Jones as their starter with a multi-year extension in the coming weeks. They also drafted Riley Leonard in the sixth round last year, and he showed promise as their future QB2.
So, would Allar just be hanging out until becoming the starter if Jones fails after a year or so? Or, are the Colts supposed to already be moving on from Leonard despite outplaying his sixth-round status as a rookie?
The NFL draft will begin with the first round on Thurs., April 23.
Jake Arthur has been covering the Indianapolis Colts for over a dozen years and is a member of the PFWA. He's one half of the Locked On Colts podcast and has worked for the Colts' official website, On SI, and more. You can follow him on X @JakeArthurNFL.