← Back to Teams
IND
Indianapolis Colts
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