After threatening the upper levels of the NFL last season, the Indianapolis Colts may be a couple of careful draft picks away from being seriously in the Super Bowl hunt.
And here is the Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 NFL Draft guide to get you ready for the upcoming annual seven-round selection meeting. Ahead of this crucial week, let’s look at the Colts’ draft pick, biggest needs, potential targets, and recent draft history. The draft is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, this year, with Round 1 kicking off on April 23. Rounds 2 and 3 happen on April 24. The festivities wrap up with Rounds 4-7 on April 25.
Colts’ 2026 NFL Draft picks
The Colts traded their 2026 first-round pick — along with their first 2027 selection — to the Jets in exchange for cornerback Sauce Gardner. That didn’t help last year because of the quarterback-injury situation. But the Colts couldn’t find a Sauce Gardner this year in the draft, right? (Well, what about Jermod McCoy? Just saying.) Here’s the list of picks.
Round 2, Pick 47
Round 3, Pick 78
Round 4, Pick 113
Round 5, Pick 156
Round 6, Pick 214
Round 7, Pick 249
Round 7, Pick 254
Colts’ 2026 NFL Draft needs and targets
EDGE: If the Colts go into the draft with a need-first attitude, they may have to do it with their fingers crossed. Will a talent like Missouri’s Zion Young last until pick No. 47?
The main problem is that so many teams have edge rusher needs. Many guys will go off the board before the second round starts. But Young is a guy the Colts can hope to get. He’s considered a starter down the road, according to NFL.com.
“Long, well-built edge rusher with the size, strength, and temperament engineered for trench battles at the next level,” Lance Zierlein wrote. “Young is a fiery alpha who brings immense energy to the field and locker room. He majors in block destruction using base power and aggression to play through opponents.
“(Young) extends and locks out as an edge-setter and sheds when needed, but his pursuit speed and range are average. He has the power to bull rush or drive through edges, but lacks instincts and variety in his rush approach.”
This is the type of player that would fit well for the Colts’ defense. Other options would be Illinois’ Gage Jacas and UCF’s Malachi Lawrence. There’s also a possibility the Colts could look at Oklahoma’s R Mason Thomas.
LB: The biggest problem with filling this need with the Colts’ top pick is the lack of linebacker talent in the second round. If the Colts go this route, they get a shot at Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez. He could be a plus starter, according to NFL.com.
“Rodriguez arrived in college as an offensive ‘athlete’ and leaves Texas Tech as a bigger-than-life, stat-stuffing linebacker,” Zierlein wrote. “He’s uniquely productive, with elite tackle, interception, and forced fumble production. He’ll occasionally bounce out of a run fit when chasing action, but he has the burst to race back inside and finish. He’s slippery working off blocks and navigating combo climbers. His lateral pursuit leaves the station on time and with a fast take-off.”
Other options would be Gage Jacas (Illinois) or Jake Golday (Cincinnati).
WR: If the Colts got this direction, there’s likely a great fit waiting for them. Tennessee Chris Brazzell would work great for a team that lost Michael Pittman Jr. That is, if Brazzell lasts. His Combine work made it less likely, according to NFL Draft Buzz.
“Brazzell walked into Indianapolis with a reputation as a long, fluid receiver who could win downfield and at the catch point,” NFL Draft Buzz wrote. “He walked out having torched the 40-yard dash with a 4.37 that tied for the ninth-fastest time among 34 receivers. That number changes the calculus entirely.
“Before the combine, you could talk yourself into Brazzell as a quality possession X who won with technique, length, and contested-catch ability. Now you are looking at a 6-4 target with an 80-inch wingspan who also happens to run faster than most of the guys he will line up across from at the next level.”
This would be a home-run pick for the Colts. Other options are Alabama’s Germie Bernard or North Dakota State’s Bryce Lance.
Recent draft history — top picks for the last five years
2025: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State (Round 1, pick 14)
2024: DE Laiatu Latu, UCLA (Round 1, 15)
2023: QB Anthony Richardson, Florida (Round 1, 4)
2022: WR Alec Pierce, Cincinnati (Round 2, 53)
2021: DL Kwity Paye, Michigan (Round 1, 21)
Warren looks like an NFL star after a strong rookie season. And Latu looks like a player on the incline after his 8.5-sack season in 2025.
Pierce elevated his game in 2025, and Paye has been a consistent starter for five seasons.
If you add those up, the Colts have been on a great run in the draft. However, you also have to consider the blown pick with Richardson, who didn’t pan out at all.
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