The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 NFL Draft in a very weakened position. Though they do have seven picks, they are missing a first-rounder. They have an extra selection in the final round. And Chris Ballard has holes to fill, especially on defense.
Ballard traded his first-rounder (along with his 2027 first-round pick) to acquire Sauce Gardner last season. He had given up his sixth-round pick just before the season for Mekhi Blackmon. He got a sixth-rounder back in a pick swap with Pittsburgh as part of the Michael Pittman trade. He also gave up one of his three seventh-round picks as part of that deal.
Grand total, seven picks. Having lost three starters on defense, as well as a couple of important rotational players, we can assume Ballard will be primarily focused on rebuilding his defense come draft time.
2026 mock draft rebuilds a battered Indianapolis Colts’ defense
Indeed, I had to resist the urge in this mock to completely ignore offense and go all in on defense. But I resisted the urge. Drafts are always a magical blend of “best player” and “need,” and so I grabbed a few offensive players who were too good to pass up, while at the same time prioritizing defense. And here’s how it turned out.
Round 2, pick 48: Anthony Hill, Jr., LB, Texas
I traded back one spot in the second round and added Atlanta’s sixth-round pick in the 2027 draft. There were several players I liked at 47, so I was comfortable dropping back. When the Falcons chose a cornerback, I got the player I most wanted, Texas’s gifted linebacker Anthony Hill, Jr.
Hill is a dynamic athlete who should be a tackling machine in the pros. Put him in the middle of the field in place of Zaire Franklin and watch his 6’2”, 238-pound frame wreak havoc.
He has exceptional speed and leg drive, and can both attack the backfield and drop into coverage. He was a do-everything linebacker for Texas, and with a little professional polish, should fill the Colts' biggest defensive hole in short order.
Round 3, pick 81: Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge rusher, Penn State
Here I traded back twice. First, I dropped back two spots and also ceded the 254th pick in the seventh for pick number 154 in the fifth round. Then I dropped back one more spot and got an extra sixth-rounder. Finally, with the 81st pick, I got an edge rusher with first-round potential.
Dennis-Sutton is a tall, rangy edge with exceptional leg drive. His speed and burst scores at the Combine were sensational. He was a very productive player at Penn State, at times looking dominant. The physical tools are obvious.
Like Anthony Hill, Dennis-Sutton simply needs refinement. He gets careless at times, which has led to penalties and missed tackles in college. But he will be able to compete immediately as a rotational edge, who should only get better over time.
Round 4, pick 113: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
I’m shocked Lance was still on the board at 113. He has generally been flying up lists after his strong Combine workout. Playing at FCS North Dakota State may call into question his level of competition, which could cause him to fall. But NDS was FCS in name only. They were the cream of that crop and indeed are moving up into an FBS conference this year.
Lance has long been in the shadow of his brother, Trey, the NDS quarterback who has been a major disappointment in the NFL. Bryce has none of the hoopla that surrounded his brother, and shouldn’t have the questions either. He worked himself up from a lightly regarded prospect to become a dominant receiver.
Unlike his brother, he played and grew in college. Now, he is an athletic marvel – 6’3”, 204 pounds, with a 4.34 40 to his credit and brilliant burst numbers – who has learned to become a quality receiver. He will soon make fans forget about the failed AD Mitchell experiment.
Round 5, pick 154: JC Davis, OT, Illinois
This pick was the result of an earlier trade, and I had no intention of taking an offensive lineman here. But Davis plugs a hole so perfectly, I could not resist. Davis logged more than 3,000 college snaps at left tackle against high-end competition and proved himself an excellent power run blocker and competent pass blocker.
Though he did not play on the right side in college, scouts seem to feel he can serve as a swing tackle in the pros without much trouble.
At 6’4”, 335 pounds, he carries all the size and power he needs and could probably shift inside if required. But he profiles to step into the Jalen Travis role in 2026, assuming Travis takes over the right tackle spot.
Round 5, pick 156: Max Llewellyn, EDGE, Iowa
The Colts need edge rushers, having lost Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam, and perhaps losing Tyquan Lewis as well. So I’m doubling up, adding Llewellyn to the Dani Dennis-Sutton pick earlier.
Llewellyn is another tall, rangy edge with an excellent arsenal of pass rush moves. He may not be quite as athletically imposing as Dennis-Sutton, and profiles initially as more of a third-down specialist. But adding him and Dennis-Sutton instantly upgrades the pass rush with younger players, something Indy desperately needs.
Round 6, pick 203: Wydett Williams, Jr, S, Mississippi
This is another pick scooped up in an earlier trade. Williams is a steady safety prospect who bounced around several lower-tier programs before arriving at Ole Miss for his final season. He had little trouble transitioning to play in the SEC.
He has solid size and plays both the pass and the run fairly well. Williams will not dazzle with athleticism, though he has enough speed to fill a variety of roles. He has proven to be a very steady performer who should be able to help offset the loss of Nick Cross and Rodney Thomas.
Round 6. pick 214, Noah Whittington, RB, Oregon
Last year, both Chicago and Washington struck gold with seventh-round gems in the backfield. Kyle Monangai and Jacory Croskey-Merrit seriously outperformed their draft status. I’m betting that Whittington can replicate that production.
He is almost the exact same size as Monangai. He is a short, powerful runner with even better speed. Though not known as a pass-catching threat, Whittington is a reliable back who picks up positive yards and doesn’t fumble.
He averaged better than five-and-a-half yards per run in over 500 college rushing attempts and could contribute valuable carries in relief of Jonathan Taylor, something Indy has needed for years.
Round 7, pick 249: Cole Wisniewski, S, Texas Tech
Wisniewski is a big, powerful safety who performed very well in his one season at Texas Tech. Before that, he had been a quality player at North Dakota State. Wisniewski began his college career as a linebacker.
He is very good in the box, but also has the instincts to drop deep if needed. Teams will ask questions about his speed and about his injury history, but late in the seventh, he becomes a very good gamble.
And what I like best about Wisniewski? He did not get invited to the Draft Combine. That kind of snub puts a chip on a player’s shoulder, and Wisniewski will be out to prove everyone wrong.
Don’t forget – we also have the Falcons' sixth-rounder next year. I know it doesn’t seem like much right now, but it’s always good to stockpile picks. It sure beats going in with a deficit.