Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard zigged when everyone else zagged in the 2026 NFL Draft. While most scouts and fans thought Kyle Louis would be the next linebacker off the board, the Colts used their fourth-round pick on Bryce Boettcher.
Boettcher's selection was controversial, given his baseball background and the fact that he may not have been as far along in his development. Fast forward to today, and he looks like much more than an underdog and a feel-good training camp story; he really belongs.
The rookie out of Oregon was everywhere in the preseason debut. It might not be hyperbole to say he was actually the most impressive and consistent player on both teams in the 13-13 tie against the New England Patriots.
The Indianapolis Colts found a star in Bryce Boettcher
Boettcher's aggressiveness and instincts were on full display from the jump. He played with the second-team defense and showcased sideline-to-sideline potential, attacking the ball on every play, stuffing the run, and simply outhustling everyone else on the field.
Boettcher had one of the highlight plays of the evening. He read the Patriots' play before the snap and annihilated a running back for a huge tackle for loss. He found the tiniest gap and dove to the line before the ball-carrier even knew he was there.
That's the type of athleticism and energy the Colts' second-level defense lacked at times last season. That's also the type of play he's made every day in training camp, raising the bar and putting pressure on the veterans who, for now, might be ahead of him in the pecking order.
Colts second-round rookie C.J. Allen stole most of the headlines in this draft class and rightfully so, but he may not be the only first-year starting linebacker for this team by the end of the season. In fact, Boettcher might actually play his way to Lou Anarumo's starting defense with two strong outings in the next couple of weeks.
There were more than enough reasons to be skeptical about Boettcher. He still had to work on his technique, and not many fourth-round rookies can make an immediate impact. However, you can't teach fight, athleticism, and determination, and Boettcher is oozing with all of that.
He logged 136 tackles in his final season at Oregon, the sixth-most in the nation and the most by any Duck since 1979. Expecting that type of production right out of the gate isn't realistic, but he showed he belongs in the league and deserves more opportunities with the first and second defenses over the next couple of weeks.
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