When the Indianapolis Colts made their final picks on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, they turned their attention to the running back room—selecting Kentucky's Seth McGowan to add depth and a new dimension to the offense.

McGowan brings an intriguing resume to the table. After rushing for 730 yards at New Mexico in 2024, he stepped up to the SEC and delivered 824 yards this past season with the Wildcats. His versatility is also evident in the passing game, where he saw 64 targets combined over those two campaigns, according to Pro Football Focus.

But with Jonathan Taylor firmly established as the Colts' lead back, McGowan's path to playing time won't come easy. He'll need to prove himself in two critical areas: pass protection and special teams—both of which could determine how quickly he sees the field.

"I think the first thing with Seth is just you have to project his running style and the toughness that he brings, and the size he has, and how smart he is—it's kind of a projection-based thing," said Colts scout Tyler Hughes. "He's never played special teams, as you said. So it's going to be a valuable thing for him to develop throughout his time here to get to that active roster and make an impact right away for us."

Special teams experience is a notable gap in McGowan's game—he's logged just nine career snaps in that phase. However, his skill set, including his physical running style and football IQ, suggests he could adapt quickly with proper development.

McGowan is expected to compete for the RB2 role, going head-to-head with 2025 draft pick DJ Giddens. While both players have the talent to move the ball on the ground, the true deciding factor in this training camp battle may come down to who can contribute on special teams and make an impact in the passing game.

General Manager Chris Ballard also highlighted the "physical element" McGowan brings to the position—a trait that could help him carve out a niche in Indianapolis's backfield rotation. For Colts fans, this late-round pick adds another layer of intrigue to an already competitive depth chart.