The Indianapolis Colts made a somewhat polarizing decision when they took Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher in the fourth round of the 2026 NFL Draft. He wasn't the top prospect available at the position, and he was probably still a bit raw.
However, the Colts seemed to like him much more than his potential. Boettcher was probably better suited (and even destined) for a baseball career. Still, he chose to pursue success on the gridiron, even if that meant playing catch-up and having to work twice as hard as everyone else.
That big chip on his shoulder has been on full display during training camp. He's excelled with the first-team defense, and his take on getting that opportunity pretty much sums up why the Colts were so high on him in the first place.
Bryce Boettcher will outwork everyone in the Indianapolis Colts
“I don’t really know if I expected it (the first-team reps) or not. I just kind of expected that the best player who shows the best effort and plays the fastest should play. They’ve given me a good opportunity to showcase my ability so far,” Boettcher said.
That's what you always want to hear from every player, more so a rookie. That's also a perfect example of why general manager Chris Ballard and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo set their sights on him.
The Colts signed Akeem Davis-Gaither this offseason. While not a star, he's familiar with Anarumo's system, and given his experience as a six-year veteran, one would assume that he'd be ahead of Boettcher in the pecking order, right? Wrong.
Boettcher is forcing the team's hand to give him extended opportunities and show what he can do. On paper, he's better suited to play the MIKE position, but with fellow rookie C.J. Allen locked in as the green-dot guy, he'll likely have to slide to one of his sides.
Granted, starting two rookie linebackers comes with plenty of risk, but this situation might call for an exception. This team isn't particularly deep at the position. Allen drew first-round grades, and Boettcher has shown relentless determination and an impressive work ethic dating back to spring workouts.
Davis-Gaither might be more experienced, but he's also likely a finished product at this point in his career, whereas Boettcher is pretty much a blank canvas. That comes with risks, of course, but the reward is far greater, even for a team with little to no margin for error.
Boettcher is setting the standard. Will the veteran allow himself to be outhustled by a rookie? If anything, he has no choice but to step up to keep up. He knows he probably wasn't supposed to be there, so now that he's made it, he won't allow anyone to deny him the opportunities he's earned.
It takes much more than measurables to make it in the pros. Physical traits and numbers are all great for projections and Excel spreadsheets, but intangibles can take a player a long way. Boettcher clearly wants it more, and that's all you can ask of an underdog like him.
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