Josephs ranked 50th on my early December Top 100 Big Board with a Round 2 Grade. His speed, explosion, and length is a terrifying combination, and he was able to utilize them for a very high win rate over the last few years. But his situational usage in college does skew the numbers a bit, and he still has a clear area of improvement needed before being an every down player with more strength needed in his game. Tackles with more of a power profile will give him trouble, and teams with wide zone blocking schemes can exploit his issues in Tight End chip awareness to collapse him inside. When used against other matchups and schemes he thrived as a run defender, especially against pullers in man/gap schemes, so there is still potential there as a run defender.

But for a Colts team in need of a quick winner and situational pass rush, this fit is really strong. Laiatu Latu is a everydown DE with his technical refinement and being able to win with finesse while having the size to generate decent strength in power moves and holds up well against the run. However he wins more on the 2nd or 3rd step with his pass rush moves rather than pure explosiveness of the line. JT Tuimoloau is a power rusher who could step into a larger role in 2026. The Colts likely will add another pass rusher or two through Free Agency, but the need for a situational rusher to rotate in on passing downs and can generate quick wins off the line and help open up clean up opportunities for other rushers when the QB starts moving to try to evade the first rusher remains.

Joseph’s potential growth into an every down player will be key for his longterm snap counts continuing to grow, but in the short term his pass rushing profile is very appealing for the Colts to add.

Others in the Draft Community have a Round 2-3 or Round 3 grade on Josephs, and others have him at a Early Round 2 pick. There is a decent chance he could be available when the Colts pick at 47th overall in the draft, and if there should be on a short list of players the Colts would want at that spot at Defensive End.