Every NFL training camp, there's a special breed of player who defies the odds—an undrafted rookie who fights their way onto the 53-man roster. For the Indianapolis Colts, recent success stories like Dalton Tucker and Johnathan Edwards have shown that opportunity is real if you're in the right place at the right time. As the 2026 draft class enters the fold, let's look at three UDFAs with the best shot at making a serious roster push.
Of course, performance on the field will always be the deciding factor. But there's another critical piece of the puzzle: position availability. A player can have all the talent in the world, but if the depth chart is stacked ahead of them, the climb gets much steeper. Take defensive tackle Cam Ball from Arkansas, for example. He's an intriguing prospect, but he's staring down a depth chart featuring DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Colby Wooden, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Jerry Tillery, Derrick Nnadi, and Tim Smith. With the Colts likely keeping only six defensive tackles, Ball has a mountain to climb.
So, which undrafted rookies have both the talent and the opportunity? Here are three names to keep an eye on as offseason programs and training camp get underway.
Linebacker: A Game-Changing Blitzer
The linebacker room in Indianapolis is still something of a question mark, and that uncertainty could open the door for a hungry UDFA. One player to watch logged 564 snaps in 2025 and made his presence known as a blitzer, racking up 13 pressures and three sacks. He also tallied 66 tackles and held opponents to just 9.1 yards per catch in coverage. With a clear path to compete for a roster spot, this is a name that could quickly become familiar to Colts fans.
Running Back: The Battle Behind Taylor
Behind star running back Jonathan Taylor, the backup and third-string roles are very much up for grabs. While DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan are in the mix, neither has locked down a spot just yet. The key differentiators here will be pass-blocking ability, receiving skills, and special teams contributions. One undrafted rookie made a strong case for himself this past season, averaging an eye-popping 6.0 yards per carry on 113 attempts. Even more impressive? He averaged 4.42 yards after contact, showing he's not easy to bring down. That kind of big-play potential could earn him a serious look.
Bernhard R: The Wild Card
Every camp needs a dark horse, and Bernhard R fits the bill. While details are still emerging, his combination of versatility and grit makes him a player to track as the summer unfolds. Keep an eye on his progress—he could be the next undrafted success story in Indy.
As the Colts gear up for another season, these three rookies embody the spirit of competition. They know the odds, but they also know that with hard work and a little luck, a roster spot is within reach. Stay tuned—training camp is where legends begin.