Jan. 11, 2026, 10:36 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
With the Indianapolis Colts’<\/a> season over, it’s time to start peaking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft.<\/p>\n Alec Elijah of Pro Football Network<\/a> recently put together a three-round mock draft, which is good for Colts<\/a> fans because Indianapolis does not own its first-round draft pick.<\/p>\n That pick — and the Colts’ 2027 first-round pick — were traded away to acquire Sauce Gardner. So Indianapolis’ first selection this April won’t be until Day 2 and at 47th overall.<\/p>\n In total, the Colts currently have five draft picks in 2026.\u00a0They are also projected to earn two additional compensatory picks<\/a>, giving them seven in total.<\/p>\n NFL.com<\/a>\u00a0lists quarterback, linebacker, defensive linemen, and offensive tackle as the Colts’ biggest offseason needs.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a>Colts’ Round 2 pick: LT Overton, EDGE, Alabama<\/p>\n The Colts need more pass rush juice in a big way. At defensive end in particular this season, the Colts were far too inconsistent when it came to pressuring the quarterback. Kwity Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis are all free agents as well.<\/p>\n “LT Overton plays with brute authority,” wrote Elijah. “He anchors down, locks out blockers, and sets a firm edge that eliminates cutback lanes. When aligned inside, his sudden redirection ability becomes especially dangerous, as interior linemen often struggle to adjust once he changes course and attacks a new angle.”<\/p>\n Colts’ Round 3 pick: Max Iheanachor, OT, Arizona State<\/a><\/p>\n The Colts could bolster their tackle depth, but is this position a top-100 need? Bernhard Raimann signed an extension last summer, and 2025 draft pick Jalen Travis held his own at right tackle. Braden Smith is set to be a free agent, leaving Luke Tenuta as the only potential depth option currently.<\/p>\n