INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts ticked off the most glaring need on their roster with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, following a script that general manager Chris Ballard has used time and time again during his time as general manager.
Indianapolis picked up an extra fourth-round pick by trading back from the No. 47 pick, then took Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen with the No. 53 pick.
Ballard has spent months telegraphing his desire for more picks. The Indianapolis general manager said he wanted more picks at the NFL scouting combine, then said earlier this week that he believes the strength of the draft is in the third and fourth round.
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, GeorgiaNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesCJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn TigersOct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesSep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesCJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn ImagesCJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson TideDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images1 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images1 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images2 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images3 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images4 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images5 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL Draft20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia6 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftNov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images7 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftCJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers8 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftOct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images9 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftSep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images10 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images11 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftCJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)12 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftJul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images13 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftCJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide14 / 14See C.J. Allen, the Colts' second round draft pick in the 2026 NFL DraftDec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn ImagesWith a handful of linebackers still available, Ballard saw an opportunity at No. 47. Only Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez and Missouri’s Jeremiah Trotter were off the board at the time.
Minnesota took a fourth linebacker, Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, at No. 51.
When Indianapolis got on the clock, the Colts decided it was time to take Allen, a player who instantly projects as the replacement for Zaire Franklin at middle linebacker.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts take LB CJ Allen in second round of 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis, stats