The Indianapolis Colts had eight draft picks in this extended weekend’s 2026 NFL Draft.
With no first round draft pick as a result of last year’s trade deadline Sauce Gardner blockbuster deal, the Colts weren’t initially slated to pick until the 47th overall pick in Round 2.
However, with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis traded down six spots from the 47th pick to the 53rd pick, while acquiring an additional 4th round pick in the process (and swapping 7ths).
The Colts then addressed their defense on ‘Day 2’ with two projected immediate starters and their overall depth in ‘Day 3’ collectively, including the addition of two edge rushers.
Let’s recap the latest Colts rookie draft class now that it’s officially in the books:
It’s not surprising Indianapolis ended up with a linebacker here given how desperate that position was. However, it is surprising that Allen, who was considered a late first/early second round pick, slid all the way to the Colts.
A torn meniscus that Allen suffered this past November may have been the culprit, as he held his Pro Day late in the draft evaluation process, but only participated in positional drills due to knee swelling.
That could work to the Colts benefit in time. Allen was a 2x SEC Champion, First-Team All-SEC member, and consensus All-American for the Bulldogs defense. He features speed, athleticism, and instincts with sideline-to-sideline playmaking ability and is a plus asset in run defense. He’s also been lauded for his overall leadership.
Allen will need to improve in pass coverage at the next level, but some of his deficiencies last season were overblown. With the proper coaching, it’s correctable, and he can be much improved at the next level.
He projects as a ‘plug-and-play’ immediate impact starter for the Colts defense at MIKE linebacker.
Safety was a sneaky need for the Colts entering this year’s draft.
It was arguably a position that could be improved, but after letting Nick Cross (Commanders) depart in free agency, there was some thought that the tandem of 2nd-year safety Hunter Wohler, who missed all of his rookie year with a Lisfranc injury, but impressed during 2025 training camp, and signed toolsy safety Juanyeh Thomas could hold the fort down next to Cam Bynum in the backend of their secondary.
Enter Haulcy, who can be both an in-the-box thumper and ballhawk in coverage when called upon. While he can deliver big hits, Colts GM Chris Ballard didn’t want to limit him to just an ‘enforcer’ against the run though, as he believes Haulcy can play all over at safety. While he lacks long speed, he makes up for it with his elite instincts.
Someone mentioned former Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame Safety LeRoy Butler as a pro comparison, and while I’ll stop well short of saying Haulcy is Canton-bound before his pro career has even begun, there are some similarities regarding their unique playing style and body types at the same position. I can’t quite unsee it now!
As a consecutive First-Team All-SEC selection by the Colts, Haulcy projects as another immediate impact rookie starter for Indianapolis—only this time at strong safety.
Somewhat of a surprise, given that IU wideout Elijah Sarratt was on the board, who went to the Baltimore Ravens two picks later, but not if you know how much Colts general manager Chris Ballard historically believes in reinforcing the trenches, it’s really not at this spot.
The Colts lost backup interior offensive lineman Danny Pinter to free agency, as well as veteran starting right tackle longtime bookend Braden Smith. They needed another impact offensive lineman to be at least 6 players deep to make it through the entire course of the 2026 campaign.
At 6,’4,“ 278 pounds, Farmer is another former SEC standout as a 2-year starter at offensive guard, who’s strong and powerful as a road grader in run blocking—with the ability to physically overwhelm defenders one-on-one.
However, he’ll need to continue to improve and refine his pass blocking techniques. That being said, he should push and compete for the starting right guard job as soon as this year’s training camp. It may very well depend on where and how the Colts envision incumbent starting right guard Matt Goncalves long-term, who arguably looked more natural at right tackle during his rookie season back in 2024.
The 6,1’ 1/8”, 230 pound safety, who was a two-sport athlete (also in baseball, having been selected in the 2024 MLB Draft), led the Big Ten in total tackles (136) last season. He features athleticism, instincts, with the ability to play downhill and a knack for finding the football. He was a First-Team All-American and 2nd-Team All-Big Ten.