The Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL draft is done. The team finished by having eight selections, and, overall, things seemed to go pretty well. Indy fans won't truly know that, of course, until real games begin and the draft class produces (or not).
As part of those eight picks, Indianapolis had two choices in the seventh round. The last of those became, surprisingly, wide receiver Deion Burks. The shocking part isn't that Indianapolis took him, but that he lasted until the final round of the draft.
For one, Burks, a mirror-image of former New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks great Deion Branch, can fly. He ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at the NFL combine and had a 42.5-inch vertical leap. The Oklahoma product might have fallen in the draft for a reason he couldn't control.
Indianapolis Colts finish 2026 NFL draft by taking wide receiver Deion Burks from Oklahoma
In college, the quarterbacks he played with weren't as good as expected. This meant Burks didn't produce at the level many thought he might. The wide receiver could be a better pro than he was in college. He might eventually be a replacement for Josh Downs, too.
Burks is only 5'9 3/4" and 180 pounds, so he doesn't present as a pure outside receiver. Still, a smart offensive coach, and Indy head coach Shane Steichen, appears to be an intelligent, offensive-minded coach who will find a way to use him. Whether that is in the slot or not.
General manager Chris Ballard said he wanted to get younger and faster this offseason, and he appears to have mostly meant that from a defensive standpoint. In the 2026 draft, that might have happened, but offensively, with the selection of Burks, it definitely happened.
Moreover, Deion Burks isn't just potentially a good player for the Indianapolis Colts. He appears to be a very good person, too. In 2024, he donated $50 per reception to the Rob's Ranch foundation, one that helps people with drug and alcohol addiction.
Burks' future with the Colts could be bright, and he could eventually become a captain. But he helped finish off an Indianapolis draft that was seemingly very good. Now, the team just needs to make the playoffs next season.
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