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Indianapolis Colts

AFC AFC South

Draft Needs

Priority Position Level Target Round Notes
1 OT CRITICAL Round 2 Braden Smith lost to HOU in FA; starting LT vacancy with no proven replacement on roster
2 EDGE CRITICAL Round 2 Pass rush remains systemic weakness; Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam on expiring deals; Arden Key insufficient
3 LB HIGH Round 3 Zaire Franklin departed; Jaylon Carlies has only ~200 career defensive snaps as top returning option
4 S HIGH Round 3 Nick Cross signed with WAS; leaves starting strong safety vacancy next to Cam Bynum
5 WR HIGH Round 2 Michael Pittman Jr. traded to PIT; Alec Pierce re-signed but depth and WR1 upside lacking
6 CB MEDIUM Round 4 Sauce Gardner acquired via NYJ trade addresses top CB spot but depth behind him thin

Draft Strategy

Balanced Approach

This team takes a balanced approach, weighing both player value and team needs. They will take the best player available when the value is clear, but will also factor in positional need when players are similarly rated.

Team Info

Indianapolis
City
Colts
Nickname
AFC
Conference
South
Division

2026 Draft Picks

7
Total Picks
0
Round 1
2
Top 3 Rounds
3
Compensatory
Round Pick Overall Type Original Team
Rd 2 47 #47 OWN -
Rd 3 78 #78 OWN -
Rd 4 113 #113 OWN -
Rd 5 156 #156 OWN -
Rd 6 214 #214 COMP PIT
Rd 7 249 #249 COMP -
Rd 7 254 #254 COMP -

Needs Summary

1 OT CRITICAL
2 EDGE CRITICAL
3 LB HIGH
4 S HIGH
5 WR HIGH
6 CB MEDIUM

2026 Offseason Moves

+ Additions

Alec Pierce WR FREE AGENCY
$28.5M/yr 4yr
Arden Key DE FREE AGENCY
from TEN $10.0M/yr 2yr
Blake Grupe K FREE AGENCY
$1.4M/yr 1yr
Colby Wooden DT TRADE
from GB Acquired from Packers
Daniel Jones QB FREE AGENCY
$44.0M/yr 2yr
Micheal Clemons DE FREE AGENCY
$5.8M/yr 3yr

− Losses

Arden Key DE FREE AGENCY
to IND UFA from TEN; signed with Colts; noted here as IND addition above
Braden Smith OT FREE AGENCY
to HOU UFA; signed with Texans (division rival) 2yr/$25M; started 105 games in 7 seasons
Kwity Paye DE FREE AGENCY
to LV UFA; signed with Raiders 3yr/$48M; 2021 first-round pick
Michael Pittman Jr. WR TRADE
to PIT Traded to Steelers with 7th-round pick; received 6th-round pick; cap-saving move after Pierce re-signing
Nick Cross S FREE AGENCY
Unrestricted free agent