The Indianapolis Colts are looking to fill needs in the 2026 NFL draft, of course, but are seemingly trying to accrue picks while doing so. Beyond that, their first two picks are real winners. The second-round choice was linebacker CJ Allen. The third-round selection was LSU safety AJ Haulcy.
Haulcy could be the immediate replacement for Nick Cross, who left in free agency. Haulcy is stouter and should be elite against the run. He does have shorter arms, but he is a ball-hawk with excellent technique. That he played at LSU his final year in college should also help.
Haulcy will be used to going against high-end talent, as he did in the SEC. The safety was so good in his year at LSU that he was First-Team All-SEC. The conference is used to producing high-end pros, and that Haulcy lasted until the third round only means the Colts were the ones lucky enough to take him.
Indianapolis Colts find a third-round gem in taking safety AJ Haulcy
He ran a 4.52 40-yard dash, which is plenty fast enough for a safety. He isn't going to get any reps at cornerback, but he won't be needed to. Instead, should the team trade slot corner Kenny Moore, Justin Walley will likely replace Moore, and Haulcy will play where Cross did.
The rookie will also get help from a talented and veteran secondary. Cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Charvarius Ward, as well as safety Cam Bynum, will help AJ Haulcy acclimate quickly to the league. By 2027, Haulcy could be a Pro Bowler.
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