The Indianapolis Colts have added some serious firepower to their defensive line, selecting Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry with the 214th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If you're a Colts fan—or just a fan of a good underdog story—you'll want to get to know this guy. Here's everything you need to know about the newest edge rusher in Indy.

Curry's path to the NFL wasn't exactly a straight line. At Ohio State, he found himself buried on a depth chart loaded with future draft picks. But patience pays off, and when his number was finally called in 2025, Curry made the most of it. He exploded onto the scene with a jaw-dropping 12 sacks and 46 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Among all defensive ends in the country, he ranked 40th in pass rush win rate and earned some of the highest run-defense grades at his position. Not bad for a guy who had to wait his turn.

Drafted in the sixth round, Curry didn't generate a Relative Athletic Score (RAS) due to a lack of official measurements, but don't let that fool you. NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein breaks it down: "The tape doesn't quite match the production, but with only one season as a starter, Curry's play should continue to improve. He has good size and can play edge in even or odd fronts." Zierlein notes that Curry uses lower-body power to access the pocket, though his rush still needs some polish. He can also slide inside to rush from the interior, giving defensive coordinators more flexibility to get speed on the field. Plus, he's athletic enough to drop into coverage and has clear special-teams value.

Colts scout Tyler Hughes summed it up perfectly: "Just looking at his history early on, he produced on special teams there, something he took pride in. Should project well to our level as well. There were guys in front of him—second-round picks, third-round picks—but whenever he had an opportunity, he made a play. And then finally this year, he had the starting opportunity. 11 sacks this year. Over 40 pressures. It doesn't always look pretty, but the production speaks for itself."

For a team looking to add depth and potential to its pass rush, Curry is a high-upside pick who's already proven he can deliver when it counts. Keep an eye on this Buckeye.