Colts NFL Draft Tracker: Every Pick, Trade, and Instant Grade

The NFL Draft is finally here. After months of speculation and mock drafts, it's time to welcome the next era of NFL talent as we turn the page to the 2026 season.

We will be tracking every draft move made by the Indianapolis Colts in this single-article hub, updating with each new selection, trade, or otherwise.

Updated Colts draft order, all results can be found further down the page:

• Round 2: No. 53 overall (from Pittsburgh)
• Round 3: No. 78 overall
• Round 4: No. 113 overall
• Round 4: No. 135 overall (from Pittsburgh)
• Round 5: No. 156 overall
• Round 6: No. 214 overall (compensatory from Pittsburgh)
• Round 7: No. 237 overall (from Pittsburgh)
• Round 7: No. 254 overall (compensatory)

The Colts dealt their 2026 first-round pick (plus their 2027 first-round pick and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell) to the New York Jets for star cornerback Sauce Gardner, making tonight their personal first round of the draft.

Indianapolis is nearly guaranteed to trade back in this year's draft. Not only because general manager Chris Ballard has hinted at such on multiple occasions throughout the offseason thus far, but because this regime has almost no choice but to surrender some if its capital to in turn gain additional dart throws (draft picks) for the rest of the draft.

Efficiency is always key, but the Colts need to add legitimate competition to its roster as much as possible. This regime is so desperate to right the ship that, for potentially the first time in draft history, quantity is almost as valuable as quality.

Here are the positions to follow closest in the draft based on the Colts' biggest needs:

Linebacker
Defensive End
Wide Receiver
Safety
Cornerback

The Colts will also look to supplement throughout the draft at interior line and running back. Indianapolis may have bigger needs to address, but almost no position is being ruled out as a potential draft selection.

As anticipated, the Colts remained spectators for the first round of the NFL Draft. Day 2 (rounds 2-3) kicks off later tonight an hour earlier than last night, a 7 PM EST start time.

2026 Draft Results

The Indianapolis Colts traded their second-round (47th overall) and seventh-round (249th overall) draft selections to the Pittsburgh Steelers for their second-round (53rd overall), fourth-round (135th overall), and seventh-round (237th overall) draft selections.

Round 2: Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (53rd overall) | Grade: A

The Colts needed a new linebacker in the worst way, and they ended up lucking into Georgia LB CJ Allen with the 53rd overall pick after trading back from the 47th overall pick.

Allen immediately improves the Colts' linebacker room and projects as the day-one MIKE linebacker in Lou Anarumo's defense.

Round 3: LSU safety A.J. Haulcy (78th overall) | Grade: A-

Safety wasn't quite as pressing a need as defensive end was entering the draft, but adding a certified ballhawk who sports top-tier versatility and durability to a room without a starting strong safety is a massive get.

LSU's A.J. Haulcy played in all 48 possible games throughout his college career as a four-year starter, averaging 86 tackles per season and totaling eight interceptions across his final two seasons.

Round 4: Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer (113th overall) | Grade: B

The Colts add offensive line depth in the fourth round for the third consecutive draft. There were a couple of defensive ends and wide receivers on the board that fit what they're looking for when they drafted Farmer, but GM Chris Ballard and OL Coach Tony Sparano Jr. have a fantastic track record of drafting/developing offensive linemen, especially in the later rounds.

Round 4: Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (135th overall) | Grade: C+

Boettcher will slide in nicely as the newest Grant Stuard/Segun Olubi role, a special teams demon with solid upside as a reserve linebacker. He is a coverage specialist who needs improvement in the run game, but his profile as a day-one contributor on special teams and a sub-package coverage player immediately strengthens a linebacker room that desperately needed depth.

The draft selection grade is more so due to the value of said pick, plus the added layer that Penn State's EDGE Dani Dennis-Sutton was still on the board. The fit is strong nonetheless.

Round 5: Florida edge George Gumbs Jr. (156th overall) | Grade: B-

Gumbs Jr. is a former wide receiver turned SEC defensive end who is still a raw pass rusher but sports top-tier athleticism. He is likely a DPR (designated pass rusher) early on while he refines his tools in both the run and passing games, but landing him where they did is decent value. Gumbs Jr. profiles as one of the top 10 Colts fits among all defensive end prospects.

Round 6: Ohio State edge Caden Curry (214th overall) | Grade: C+

The hometown kid (Greenwood, IN native) becomes the second Ohio State defensive end drafted by the Colts in as many years. Curry has historically short arms, but his versatility and productivity were enough that Indy bet on bringing him home. The arm length will be his biggest obstacle to overcome, but clearly, defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo likes what he's about because GM Chris Ballard would've never even considered it previously.

Round 7: Kentucky RB Seth McGowan (237th overall) | Grade: B

The well-traveled running back is an older prospect at 24-years-old, but that bodes well in his experience bodes well in his favor, considering this regime needed to add as many day-one contributors to its roster as possible. Running back was a sneaky need for the Colts entering the draft, as they had no clear backup on the roster despite drafting DJ Giddens in the fifth round last year, and they addressed the lack of competition behind Jonathan Taylor with this late-round pick.

Round 7: Oklahoma WR Deion Burks (254th overall) | Grade: A

Late-round wide receivers typically have a hard time carving out a role for themselves, but Deion Burks has the potential to be one of the next installments. He was ranked 96th on the Consensus Big Board, yet the Colts landed him at pick No. 254. This immediately becomes one of the highest-valued picks in the entire class.

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