Everybody was on board when Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard pushed to trade for Sauce Gardner. They knew they were jeopardizing the future to make a win-now move, and they will now reap what they sowed.
The Colts don't have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. They have seven picks, most of which will come in the final day and round of the event, but barring a surprising trade, they'll just have to sit patiently
While that might be a little frustrating, Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report believes there's still a path to getting the player they need at No. 47. Of course, they will also need some help from the football gods.
The Indianapolis Colts could still get a star in the second round
"The Colts would love to see the rest of the league cool on a fairly deep collection of pass-rushing specialists in this class. Snagging an Akheem Mesidor, Zion Young or Gabe Jacas would make up for the sting of not having a first-round pick," wrote Ballentine.
Of course, unless something major -- and we mean historic -- emerges before the NFL Draft, the Colts won't have a chance to get Arvell Reese, Rueben Bain Jr., or David Bailey. That said, the fact of the matter is that no one knows anything, and the NFL Draft is usually quite chaotic.
Obviously, there are projections based on teams' needs and whatnot, but other than Fernando Mendoza being the first guy taken, the rest of the board is pretty much anybody's guess.
Perhaps hoping that Mesidor or Young will be available in the middle of the second round is a bit optimistic, but Shedeur Sanders was projected to be a top-ten pick last season, just to fall to the fifth round.
Even if they're not available there, the Colts need help all over the defense. Linebackers like C.J. Allen, Anthony Hill Jr., or Jacob Rodriguez, cornerback Chris Johnson, safety A.J. Haulcy, or defensive tackle Lee Hunter could all help Lou Anarumo turn around a defense that gave up 24.2 points per game and the second-most passing yards per game (247.9) in the league last season.
This situation is far from ideal, but this team was a legitimate Super Bowl contender before Daniel Jones' injury and the dreadful second half of the season. Maybe they're closer to contention than the fans realize, and they may not need as many reinforcements as it seems.