5 prospects at the Senior Bowl that the Colts should be watching closely this week ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft
Five Senior Bowl players that would fit needs the Colts have ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
During Chris Ballard’s tenure as the general manager, the Indianapolis Colts have made a habit of scouting talent from the Senior Bowl.
This tradition has led to some exciting picks, including standout players like Alec Pierce, Michael Pittman Jr., Bernhard Raimann, and the dynamic Shaquille Leonard. Each of these athletes has brought their unique skills and energy to the Colts, showcasing the franchise’s keen eye for talent on that prestigious field.
It feels like a safe bet that the Colts will leave the 2026 NFL Draft with one or more players competing at the 2026 Panini Senior Bowl.
Below, I made a list of five players that I think the Colts should keep a close eye on. All five are coming on the defensive side of the ball.
Romello Height, EDGE, Texas Tech
The Texas Tech defense was one of the best in the country. David Bailey and Jacob Rodriguez get a lot of the credit, but there are two others who could be excellent pros. The first is Romello Height, who played opposite Baiely on the edge.
Height’s first step is great, and he uses it to put offensive tackles in challenging situations. He gets overshadowed by Bailey, but Height is also a talented player, and he is projected to go on day two of the draft.
Without a first-round pick, that’s the range the Colts will have to swing in. Height is definitely one of a solid group that the Colts likely have on their radar.
Lee Hunter, DT, Texas Tech
The second Red Raider at the Senior Bowl I want to highlight is Lee Hunter. Hunter is a nose tackle standing at 6-3, 320 lbs, and he uses his body to fill gaps in the run game.
The Colts need a backup to Grover Stewart at NT, and Hunter would fit their mold. Especially when you watch him on film, he flies all over the field, even at his size.
There are some questions about whether he takes plays off at times, though. He did everything he could to shut down those rumors with an incredible display of his motor in the team’s season finale against Oregon in the College Football Playoff.
Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
The Colts’ LB room needs a full makeover, and they have to find an LB who excels in coverage that can play a three-down role. Kyle Louis is my personal top LB option who fits the mold that will also be at the Senior Bowl this week.
He’s a great athlete who excels in coverage and has the chance to shine at the Senior Bowl this week. He is a bit undersized, which will lower his draft range. Which just might be perfect for the Colts.
Zakee Wheatley, S, Penn State
One of the Colts’ top in-house free agents is Nick Cross, and there’s a real chance they can’t retain him. If he does walk, they will have to find a replacement at a crucial position in Lou Anarumo’s defensive scheme.
If Cross leaves Indy, Penn State’s Zakee Wheatley would be one of my top options in this class for the Colts to target. He played many roles on Penn State’s defense and performed at a high level in nearly all of them.
I expect Wheatley to be one of the top performers at the Senior Bowl and for him to be on everyone’s radar after a stellar week of practice. We shall see how much his stock rises and if he can stay in the Colts range.
T.J. Parker, EDGE, Clemson
Last but not least is Clemson pass rusher TJ Parker. This time last year, Parker was pegged as a lock to be a top-five pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. He is often mocked between the end of the first round and the end of the second.
Clemson’s disappointing season affected the draft stocks of multiple players, and Parker is working through that now. The talent is there, though, and the Colts need someone who has that level of skill going forward.
The Colts could luck into a first-round talent if Parker is on the board in the second round. The team needs to do its homework on Parker, and that starts with watching him closely at the Senior Bowl.
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