The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 NFL Draft in a precarious position. They are coming off one of the most promising starts in franchise history, a start in which they were toppling league records in offensive efficiency.
General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen find themselves facing all but an ultimatum. Co-owner and CEO Carlie Irsay-Gordon has made expectations clear: she expects to win. Anything short of a playoff appearance in 2026 could signal the end of the road for both Ballard and Steichen.
As the Colts attempt to recapture the magic from the first half of the 2025 season, the roster will look dramatically different. Core contributors such as Michael Pittman Jr., Zaire Franklin, Braden Smith, Nick Cross, and Kwity Paye have all moved on. Meanwhile, the organization’s most notable moves centered on retaining its own, bringing back Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, and, let’s not forget, fan favorite Mo Alie-Cox.
Despite adding depth pieces, significant holes remain at edge rusher, linebacker, and wide receiver, where the Colts must find immediate, starting-caliber contributors in this draft. This mock draft, conducted using the PFSN Mock Draft Simulator, reflects how they could address those needs with impact talent.
Malachi Lawrence, UCF, EDGE
Round 2, Pick 47
The Colts need a significant upgrade to their pass rush and a tandem partner for 2024 first-round pick Laiatu Latu. They signed veterans Arden Key and Michael Clemons in free agency, but they are depth pieces at best.
Malachi Lawrence is an explosive, high-motor defender who plays with urgency and violence. He pairs elite bend and short-area quickness with heavy, disruptive hands and a natural ability to locate the football. More than just a traits-based projection, Lawrence has the production to match, recording 20 sacks over his collegiate career.
He projects as a day-one starter who can immediately inject speed and closing ability into the pass rush, giving the Colts a much-needed late-down threat off the edge.
Ted Hurst, Georgia State, WR
Round 3, Pick 78
After extending Alec Pierce, the Colts chose to move on from Michael Pittman Jr., leaving a major void in the starting line-up. The only notable addition to the receiver room thus far has been veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhene, who is likely a depth piece rather than the true solution.
Ted Hurst is a dynamic playmaker out of Georgia State. He wins at the line of scrimmage with suddenness and covers ground fast, attacks space with an elite drive phase, and stacks quickly. He is an elite ball hawk who has no issue climbing the ladder and winning the high point. He tracks the ball extremely well, has a serious catch radius, great body control, and runs to win. All of which are traits that can translate to the NFL.
Romello Height, Texas Tech, EDGE
Round 4, Pick 113
You can never have enough defensive linemen, and adding depth and explosion to the pass rush should be a point of emphasis. The best teams in the league regularly have waves of pass rushers, while the Colts currently have little to offer, even with their first wave.
Romello Height can be a part of the solution. Height is a powerful, physical, and explosive pass rusher, a loose and fluid athlete, and has great get-off speed. His speed rush is his calling card, but he has strong, quick hands and a diverse arsenal of counter moves to get off blocks. He’s coming off his best collegiate season, where he recorded 10 sacks with the Red Raiders.
Harold Perkins Jr., LSU, LB
Round 5, Pick 156
The Colts traded Zaire Franklin, who was their leading tackler in each of their last four seasons. They have yet to make any significant additions to this unit, so expect them to address depth here.
Harold Perkins Jr. is a solid athlete with plenty of quick twitch, especially for a linebacker. He can line up as a true off-ball linebacker, play in coverage, or line up off the edge to rush. He demonstrates great instincts, plays the run with conviction, and takes on and sheds blocks physically.
Perkins has the necessary skills to succeed in the Colts’ defense and grow in the scheme.
Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana, DT
Round 6, Pick 214
In DeForest Buckner’s absence late last season, the Colts struggled to generate any interior pressure or hold up consistently against the run. They addressed the position in free agency with veteran additions like Jerry Tillery and Derrick Nnadi, while also acquiring Colby Wooden from Green Bay in exchange for Zaire Franklin.
While those moves provide solid depth, they shouldn’t prevent Indianapolis from taking a swing on a high-upside prospect, especially at pick No. 214.
Kaleb Proctor, the defensive tackle from Southeastern Louisiana, has elite measureables, scoring a 9.51 on the Relative Athletic Score. He pairs his physical traits with power, explosion, and violence at the point of attack. He shows impressive bend and short-area quickness, making him a legitimate interior disruptor. He only recorded 9 sacks in 2025, but two of which came on the road against LSU.
Jamarion “Jam” Miller, Alabama, RB
Round 7, Pick 249
The Colts’ backfield currently consists of Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, and Ulysses Bentley IV. leaving the door open for at least one more addition to the unit.
Jamarion Miller has a well-rounded skill set with adequate size and speed. He runs with a low pad level, strong contact balance, and power. He shows impressive body control, a sharp one-step cut, and no problem fighting for yards after contact.
He’s not a perfect prospect by any means, but he could immediately add depth to the running back room, competing for the third spot.
Lorenzo Styles Jr., Ohio State, S
Round 7, Pick 254
The Colts signed veterans Jonathan Owens and Juanyeh Thomas to provide the primary replacement for the loss of Nick Cross, so they won’t be expecting Lorenzo Styles Jr. to fill that void.
Styles Jr. is a unique prospect who would provide positional flexibility and can be a special teams force, similar to special teams stalwart Ashton Dulin.
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Styles Jr. most recently played safety at Ohio State, where he also played special teams and returned kicks. Prior to his time with the Buckeyes, Styles Jr. was a receiver for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. He played in 26 games as a receiver, contributing 684 receiving yards in his freshman and sophomore years, and played a major role on special teams.
Styles Jr. ran a 4.27-second 40-yard dash at the combine. He’s a freak athlete with an NFL pedigree, making him more than worthy of a flier in the final picks of the draft.
