The Indianapolis Colts' 2026 draft class is turning heads, and not just among analysts—NFL executives are weighing in, too. In a recent deep dive by The Athletic's Mike Sando, anonymous league insiders shared their takes on all 32 teams' hauls, and the Colts are getting some surprising praise despite a unconventional draft strategy.

Let's set the stage: the Colts didn't make their first selection until the 53rd overall pick on Day 2, after trading down from pick 47. The reason for the delayed start? That blockbuster trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner at last year's deadline, which cost Indianapolis their 2026 first-rounder and a 2027 first-round pick. It was a high-stakes gamble, and the early returns are intriguing.

Gardner's tenure in Indy has been a mixed bag—limited to just four games due to injury, but when he suited up, he was elite. He allowed a completion rate of just 54%, surrendered only 7.3 yards per catch, and broke up three passes. More importantly, his presence transformed defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's play-calling, giving the unit a newfound aggression. One exec put it bluntly: "They would not have gotten a Sauce Gardner picking where they were going to pick, whether that was at 16 or later in the round. That verdict on that trade is going to be determined by their next first-round pick, and what that looks like." In other words, the Colts might have landed a game-changer who wouldn't have been available at their original draft slot.

As for the 2026 class itself, the execs are bullish. The headliner is linebacker CJ Allen, a Day 1 starter at the MIKE position—a glaring need before the draft. "CJ Allen is probably going to end up being a team captain on defense," one exec noted. "And then they took some late-round swings on guys who had talent, but also big question marks. That could buffer some of the early picks they didn't have." Those calculated risks on high-upside prospects could pay off big time, filling the gaps left by the Gardner trade.

For Colts fans, the message is clear: this team is playing chess, not checkers. With a star cornerback already in the fold and a draft class that addresses immediate needs while taking smart fliers, Indianapolis is building for both the present and the future.