The Indianapolis Colts may not have a first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that won't stop them from getting a look at multiple difference-makers. Some of them, however, may not be ready to make an impact right away.
That might be the case with viral social media sensation Uar Bernard. According to Lucas Evans of the Denver Post, the Colts will be one of several teams hosting the man of the hour for a pre-draft visit.
A Nigerian native making his way to the league through the NFL's International Pathway Program (IPP), Bernard went nuclear on social media because of his absurd measurements and otherworldly athleticism.
The Indianapolis Colts host Uar Bernard for a visit
Bernard's story is amazing. The 21-year-old defensive tackle just started training in mid-January and was impossible to ignore at the NFL's HBCU showcase. Standing at 6-foot-4 1/2, 306 pounds, and with just six percent body fat, he ran a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and logged a 39-inch vertical jump and a 10-10 broad jump.
Of course, it might be a while before he's able to make an impact on the field -- if ever. The physical tools are mesmerizing; he's an absolute unit of a human being, but he's extremely raw in terms of technique. According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic (subscription required), he's not even fully used to playing in pads yet.
"Bernard said playing in pads has been a big adjustment," Feldman wrote. "He’s confident in his strength and his ability to be physical, but developing his technique and learning all that goes into D-line play is the biggest hurdle. The IPP has worked with a lot of elite athletes from overseas, but few have blossomed into NFL starters."
The Colts would be wise to take a flier on him in Day 3. Granted, it might be a year or two before they can truly see what they have in their hands with him, but as a member of the IPP program, he wouldn't count against the practice squad roster limit.
This team is currently looking for help in the interior of the defense, and they don't have a ton of options to consider right now. If anything, chances are they'll make a couple of marginal additions and, in the best-case scenario, get a starter in the NFL Draft.
Rolling the dice on such an unproven player doesn't always pay off, but the athletic and physical tools usually translate pretty well between sports. If only for the story and the jersey sales, they have to do their due diligence on this brick wall of a human being.