Senior Bowl Stars Who Shined at Indianapolis Colts' Biggest Needs

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — The first significant domino of the 2026 NFL Draft process has been completed, as the Panini Senior Bowl is now in the rearview mirror.

Although there was a significant number of notable players who withdrew from this year's event, there were still numerous players who took a stand to be considered among this year's best and brightest.

The Indianapolis Colts are big believers in Senior Bowl studs. Laiatu Latu, Tanor Bortolini, Bernhard Raimann, and Riley Leonard are just a few recent examples of players who participated down in Mobile, Ala., and then found themselves with a horseshoe on their helmet a few months later.

This year's group was rich in talent in areas the Colts desperately need to address. Even better news is that the Colts had a few members of their coaching staff on hand as coaches for this year's Senior Bowl.

Colts assistant linebackers coach Cato June coached the National Team linebackers, including Kyle Louis, Bryce Boettcher, and Jacob Rodriguez.

Colts assistant offensive line coach Chris Watt coached the American Team offensive line, featuring tackles Max Iheanachor and Austin Barber, and interior lineman Jeremiah Wright.

Colts Tony Dungy Diversity Coaching Fellow Diego Ortiz led the American Team running backs, including Mike Washington Jr. and IU national champion Kaelon Black.

With practices and the game having been watched, as well as the practice tape, here are some of the players who fit the Colts best at their biggest positions of need.

The Colts tied for 15th in sacks last season with 39, and now the only primary ends under contract next year are Latu and JT Tuimoloau. Tackles DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart will both be 32 years old at the start of the 2026 season, and Buckner is coming off a neck procedure. Colts general manager Chris Ballard ceded at the end of the year that the pass rush wasn't good enough, and pledged to make the defense "younger and faster." He should probably start up front.

Michigan ED Derrick Moore — Moore immediately jumped out when practices began on Tuesday, displaying power that blockers simply couldn't tame. Along with influencing running lanes, Moore collapsed the pocket on his end in the passing game with regularity. He's not necessarily the bendy type, but the violence with which he rushes can put blockers off balance and give him the upper hand.

Missouri ED Zion Young — Young is another powerful, explosive pass rusher with excellent size at 6'5", 262, with over 33" arms. He's not overly flexible to bend the edge, but if he can continue improving on his hand fighting, then he has so many tools to be a productive pass rusher in the NFL. Both he and Moore looked like they were unblockable in Mobile when they were getting a good jump off the snap.

Texas Tech ED Romello Height — Height's measurables are going to be picked apart constantly until draft day. He's 6'2", which is a little short for an edge, but not a deal breaker; he only weighed in at 234 pounds at the Senior Bowl. For some, that might be a deal breaker. Still, Height was a playmaker, day in and day out, for the week. His lack of size showed up when he'd get fully engaged with blockers, but his jump off the snap and ability to bounce and slip away from a blocker's grasp were also on full display. A team needs a real plan for what they're going to do with him, but he can be successful in the right situation.

Florida DT Caleb Banks — A foot injury essentially erased Banks' 2025 season, but he showed up at the Senior Bowl looking like it never happened. At 6'6", 335, with 35" arms, Banks' frame as an interior defender is rare, but he also has plus foot and hand quickness to go with it. All week, Banks was able to split double-teams and slice and power his way through would-be blockers.

Texas Tech DT Lee Hunter — Hunter just kept finding himself in the backfield, in the quarterback's face all week. At 6'3", 320, with 34" arms, he's got perfect size and length for a nose tackle. He's not going to win with glaring athleticism and twitch, but he has a blend of length and sheer power that is difficult for blockers to handle.

Penn State DT Zane Durant — Durant's physical attributes don't jump off the page; at 6'0", 290, with 32" arms, he's got neither the length nor overall size you're looking for in a nose tackle. As such, however, Durant has enough power and quickness to win while being lined up in multiple spots. He knows how to use his body to slip through small creases and leverage himself into run lanes, while also jarring himself free to get into the backfield. He contributed well against the run and pass in Mobile.

The Colts' linebackers missed too many tackles, allowed too many big pass connections over the middle of the field, and didn't make enough plays. The linebacker room accounted for 25.8% of the defense's missed tackles and only 14.3% of their takeaways. Germaine Pratt is an impending free agent, and the Colts could create just under $5 million in salary cap space by moving on from Zaire Franklin.

Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis — Louis might be "my guy" above all else in this draft. The Colts need a playmaker at linebacker in the worst way (especially one who can cover), and all Louis did throughout the week at the Senior Bowl was turn heads because of his repetitive splashes. Interceptions, pass breakups, run stuffs; he checked every box. That type of player normally winds up in the first round, but at a hair under 6'0" and at 224 pounds, how many teams will outsmart themselves by doubting him due to size?

Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher — Boettcher might've been considered the top linebacker of the week if not for Louis. His fluidity in coverage, both in 1-on-1s and 11-on-11s, and ability to crash down on the run were clear throughout the week.

Texas Tech LB Jacob Rodriguez — Some guys are magnetized to the football, and Rodriguez is one of them. Whether it was firing to the ball carrier or creating turnovers, Rodriguez can leave Senior Bowl week feeling accomplished. He made a terrific impression last Wednesday by forcing a fumble, which the defense recovered during the first period of 11-on-11s, and then intercepting a pass on the final play of the day.

The Colts' projected starting five is a solid group on paper, regardless of whether right tackle Braden Smith is re-signed, although Jalen Travis has just 316 offensive snaps under his belt. Depth is the real issue. Along with Smith, backups Luke Tenuta and Danny Pinter are free agents, and Blake Freeland, coming off a fractured ankle, would be the new swing tackle. The Colts likely need to add at least two or three quality backup players to the line, including someone who can challenge Travis for the right tackle spot.

Arizona State OT Max Iheanachor — You'd never know this guy just started playing football five years ago, watching Iheanachor in Mobile. He routinely got under rushers' skin during 1-on-1s by mirroring them laterally with ease and locking them up with his grip. An ascending player like that might just find his way into the first round.

Texas A&M OT Dametrious Crownover — Crownover's frame is outstanding, at nearly 6'7" and 331 pounds, with arms well over 35 inches long. When defenders play into his strengths and get into his grasp, it's a wrap for them. However, the former tight end is clearly still learning how to play the position effectively and marry mechanics with his frame. With a little bit of time, he could be an outstanding blocker on the edge.

Iowa OL Gennings Dunker — You're going to hear and see a lot more about Dunker later this month when the Combine comes around. He's the type of figure that the networks will fall in love with, as the lovable, red-mulleted offensive lineman is tenacious on the field. He showed off his versatility during the week, as his background playing both guard spots and tackle allows him to handle both edge rushers and interior defenders.

Dartmouth IOL Delby Lemieux — It seems like every year, an FCS offensive lineman turns heads throughout the draft process, and that might just be Lemieux in 2026. While he took his occasional losses during practice due to his frame (6'5", 305, 9" hands, 31" arms), Lemieux does show the knack for excelling in zone situations, out on the move. He's not always going to be a stalwart in a phone booth, but with some development of his strength and frame, he already has the mobility to be a successful player.

Texas A&M IOL Trey Zuhn III — Zuhn popped right away during 11-on-11s at tackle, not allowing anyone into the quarterback's neighborhood and helping open wide outside run lanes, but he's projected to potentially kick inside at the NFL level. He also held his own during 1-on-1s lined up inside. He's a four-year starter with a good frame (6'6", 309, 32-7/8" arms) who's likely to find some level of success quickly.

Georgia Tech IOL Keylan Rutledge — Rutledge is definitely the junkyard dog type of lineman; one who pushes all of his opponent's buttons and play to (sometimes through) the whistle. He fits the Colts' offensive line culture like a glove.

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.