2025 will be a what-if season for the Colts: What if Daniel Jones stayed healthy? What if they made it to the playoffs? Either way, we are onto 2026, and this team is back asking the quarterback question. Do they bring Jones back into the fold? I think they have to, but they could look into free agency for a second straight offseason for the answer. As it stands today, Anthony Richardson, Riley Leonard, and Seth Henigan are the only quarterbacks under contract this season. And with no first-round pick, they will need to get creative to find their answer at QB this season.

That being said, I see the following needs here: QB, OL (IOL and depth tackles potentially), their defensive tackle of the future, depth at corner, and linebacker. You could add wideout to the list, depending on what happens come free agency. This team has a solid group of starters, but they’re aging, and I think it’ll take more than one offseason to resolve these issues, especially with the Jaguars and Texans looking better, and I wouldn’t be surprised if Tennessee looks much improved this season. 

The Sauce Gardner trade is going to cause them to have to get creative, but they still have seven picks to play with in the draft. And even though I will stay and pick at each, I think they will try to move around, and both get their guys, while adding more picks if possible. 

Note: Teams inevitably trade draft picks during the draft; I will not be. I’m standing pat and selecting based on how the roster will look today, so no free agency either. 

2026 Indianapolis Colts: Overview

Thanks to our friends at Spotrac, here are the top 14 contracts as well as their cap overview. We have another franchise that will need to get creative with some of these contracts. It would not surprise me if we saw the team do something in terms of either moving on from or restructuring some of these contracts this offseason.

Indianapolis Colts 2026 7 Round NFL Mock Draft
#47 – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, SAF, Toledo

McNeil-Warren has become a hot name as of late, and for good reason. This smaller school prospect looks the part of a big-time safety and has the production to support it. He’s great at going after the ball (double-digit fumbles forced, as well as 5 interceptions during his collegiate career). He’s expected to run in the 4.5 range, and at his size, that would be great for his draft stock. I’ve watched multiple games where he’s either in the box or playing free and has the speed to get across the field in a hurry. 

#78 – Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt

I know he’s a smaller backer, but this dudes a ballhawk who has two years of solid production at Pitt. He showed up in a big way at the Senior Bowl, and I think he should have solidified himself as a top 100 pick. In this Colts defense, he doesn’t have to be their top backer; he can be used on the outside as a chess piece that can handle tight ends or blitz off the edge. 

#113 – Jake Slaughter, IOL, Florida

This two-time team captain could play anywhere on that interior, and I think he could push for playing time early if he landed here. He’s got the ability to anchor and an athletic profile to be able to get to the second level to help pave the way for Jonathon Taylor on screen passes if need be. 

#154 – Carson Beck, QB, Miami (FL)

This late in the draft, why not? They need quarterback help, and if Jones isn’t ready, and they can’t land anyone in free agency, why not take a kid that can make all the throws, has enough juice to be a mobile quarterback (isn’t a true dual-threat but will run if need be), and I think fits this style of offense really well. He throws a very catchable ball, and has played in enough big games that you know he won’t crack under pressure. 

#216 – Lewis Bond, WR, Boston College

Arguably one of the best wideouts to ever play at BC, Bond showed up in a big way at the Senior Bowl, making some guys look silly en route to a strong week down in Mobile. I know he got snubbed for the combine, but I think the tape speaks for itself, and I could see him being a day three pick for a team that needs depth at wide receiver.

#230 – Kaleb Proctor, DT, Southeastern Louisiana

Another small school prospect that looks like he will make it to the league, and with his athleticism and violent hands, he could be a nice depth piece to learn behind two really good NFL tackles in Stewart and Buckner. 

#253 – Jeadyn Lukus, CB, Clemson

This is purely a size/speed pick for me, and Lukus hasn’t shown to be the best in run support, but forces incompletions at a high rate, due to his long arms. I think getting him in a room with a pro like Gardner could be HUGE for his development, and he’s a very solid man corner with the ability to keep up with the receiver deep, so why not take a chance at this point in the draft? 

RECAP

I expect the Colts to focus on defense in the draft, most likely with the positions being the ones they target. It really depends on their order of importance as to which names you hear called. I focused on the back seven first, as the best players were available when our picks were up. I think you need a versatile offensive lineman at some point this offseason, so I grabbed a stud (in my opinion) that could play anywhere on the inside, and you got a competitive quarterback that has had plenty of reps that could fight for the job, if given the chance. 

 

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