With no first-round pick and some pressing needs on defense, the Indianapolis Colts did what they have to do: Maximize their assets, try to move down and acquire more picks, and, at times, get the best players available.
It was a bit of a rollercoaster for general manager Chris Ballard, but even though there were some head-scratchers, the Colts did well for the most part. They had needs at pass rusher, linebacker, wide receiver, safety, and offensive tackle, and they addressed most of them.
That's why ESPN expert Mel Kiper Jr. wanted to give them their flowers. In his latest column, he gave Ballard and the Colts a "B+" grade for how they worked the board with eight selections and no first-round pick.
Mel Kiper Jr. gives the Indianapolis Colts props for bolstering the defense
"The CJ Allen pick is going to be huge for the defense. He was a steal at No. 53 -- I had him 28th on the board," Kiper wrote. "...Without the first-round pick, the Colts did pretty well here overall, getting a borderline first-round talent on Day 2."
Kiper thinks the pairing of Allen with Bryce Boettcher and free agent Akeem Davis-Gaither will give defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo something to work with in the second year of his regime. HE thinks they could've done better than taking George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry, but he gave Ballard flowers for finding great value with Jalen Farmer and getting a Nick Cross replacement with A.J. Haulcy.
All in all, the draft was a bit of a rollercoaster for the Colts. On paper, they filled most of the holes on their roster, and they found some value with some of their selections. That said, they also added way too many developmental prospects for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
Granted, it's not like there was much they could've done in the position they were in, but still. This regime's seat is already lukewarm, and while we can see the vision, they can't afford to be patient with these young players and let them grow through their mistakes.
There's a lot at stake for the Colts in 2026. This year will be crucial to determine whether Daniel Jones is really their guy or if they'll have to keep adding names to their carousel of signal-callers. Moreover, if things don't work out, it might not be Ballard find him a replacement.
As for the defense, Anarumo arrived in Indianapolis with a reputation for being a defensive guru of sorts, and the Colts gave him a prime weapon at a steep price in Sauce Gardner. If they don't leap in his second year after giving him even more players who are tailor-made for his system, it will be tough to justify keeping him in town for longer.
On paper, the Colts did what they had to do in a thin draft with limited resources. Now, it's time to dip the toes on the free agent pool again and round up the roster. They can't rest on their laurels and just hope for the best.
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