Feb. 2, 2026, 12:19 p.m. ET

Matt Miller of ESPN put together a two-round 2026 NFL mock draft. In Round 2, the Indianapolis Colts addressed a major need, but who did they miss out on in Round 1?

The Colts are without a first-round pick in this year’s draft after trading it away to acquire cornerback Sauce Gardner. So the first time that the Colts are scheduled to be on the clock won’t be until pick No. 47.

The absence of that first-round pick puts a greater premium on GM Chris Ballard hitting on his Day 2 selections.

Had the Colts been picking in Round 1, they would have held the 16th pick overall. But instead, that selection belongs to the New York Jets.

So, which NFL draft prospects could be selected in that range? With a focus on the defensive side of the ball, here are the prospects taken in that range on Miller’s mock.

Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

Listed at 6-6 – 285 pounds, Faulk graded out well as a run defender. As a pass rusher, he logged 30 pressures and two sacks.

Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

Most of McNeil-Warren’s snaps last season came as a box defender. He recorded two interceptions and five pass breakups in coverage, while making 71 total tackles.

TJ Parker, EDGE, Clemson

Parker has recorded 92 pressures and 18 sacks over the last two seasons. He’s graded out very well as a run defender by PFF’s metrics as well.

Caleb Banks, DT, Florida

At 6-6 – 330, Banks provides another stout interior presence. He played in three games in 2025. Between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Banks recorded 53 total pressures and six sacks. For what it’s worth, he graded out as an above-average run defender.

Zion Young, EDGE, Missouri

Listed at 6-5 – 262, Young had a breakout year in 2025, recording 56 pressures and eight sacks. He also graded out as one of PFF’s better run defenders among his position group.

Anthony Hill, LB, Texas

Hill Jr. has played nearly 2,000 defensive snaps over the last three seasons. During that span, he has generated 60 quarterback pressures and logged 227 total tackles, according to PFF. In coverage, he’s allowed 8.3 yards per reception with three interceptions and two pass breakups.