The Indianapolis Colts need to have a strong strategy this offseason, and that goes beyond simply re-signing Daniel Jones and Alec Pierce, both of whom have been done. Indy needs a clear draft plan, too, and after the first wave of free agency passed, that plan seems to involve taking an edge rusher first.
General manager Chris Ballard has implied as much. He has stated multiple times this offseason that the front seven of the defense needs to be faster and more athletic overall. He's doubled down on that by letting free agent Kwity Paye walk and trading linebacker Zaire Franklin.
Indy hasn't signed any projected high-end edge rushers, though. The team was reportedly in the running for Trey Hendrickson, who played under Indianapolis defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo when the latter was with the Cincinnati Bengals, but that didn't pan out.
Indianapolis Colts should take an edge rusher with pick 47 in the 2026 NFL draft
The Colts don't have a first-round selection in each of the next two years, as those were dealt to the New York Jets during the 2025 season in return for former All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. Still, Ballard has signed cornerbacks this offseason, though that didn't seem to be a need. Edge rusher still is.
The question is which players might be available at No. 47 when Indianapolis has its first draft pick in 2026? Several mocks have had Indy taking Missouri's Zion Young, a tall and quick pass-rusher, but Young has also been projected to be taken by some team in the first round.
Others have Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas going to the Colts, but he appears to be trending up mock draft boards, and might be gone, too. Either Young or Thomas should turn out to be solid picks, though Ballard has an extremely poor history of selecting high-producing edge rushers. Laiatu Latu might be the best of the bunch, and maybe the only very good one.
The Indianapolis Colts could also be thinking of taking an inside linebacker in the second round, and a player such as Texas' Anthony Hill Jr. might be a solid move, but choosing an off-ball linebacker with the team's first choice would be wrong, especially as that position is devauled in Lou Anarumo's scheme.
Moreover, edge rusher is a far more valuable position than inside linebacker in nearly any system. Laiatu Latu needs help, and the Colts need to give that help as soon as the team can in the 2026 NFL draft. Whether that player be Thomas, Young, or maybe Illinois' Gabe Jacas, an edge rusher needs to be Indy's priority at pick 47.