The Colts need to be careful because something they may be tempted to do would be the worst thing possible for next season
The Colts have a major need for an upgrade to their pass rush, but they can’t afford to bet on the 2026 NFL Draft to be the way they fix it for next season.
The Indianapolis Colts’ biggest needs heading into the offseason still honestly remain major needs.
Many expected the team to make big moves to upgrade the defensive side of the ball, while their focus on the offensive end would likely be retaining their core and running it back. That clearly was the plan on offense, but the team’s defensive plan remains a mystery. The team has only added one projected starter on the defensive side of the ball in Akeem Davis-Gaither at linebacker.
The biggest shock of the offseason has been the team not adding a starting-caliber edge rusher yet, with Laiatu Latu being the only significant contributor from last year returning for the 2026 season. After missing on top free agent options at the position, some may want the team to use the 2026 NFL Draft as the outlet to fill this hole, but I think that would be the biggest mistake the team could make because they have to win in 2026, or multiple people will be out of jobs.
The Colts can’t bank on a rookie taken on day two of the 2026 NFL Draft to be their big pass rush move this offseason
Betting on a rookie to come in and change your pass rush overnight is not going to work nine times out of 10. In the Colts situation, it’s even less likely, though, with the team not owning a first-round pick, thanks to their trade for star corner Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline last season.
This means if the Colts are looking for a day one starter at the position, the pick would almost certainly have to come at pick 47. Starting a second-round pick right away isn’t a new concept, but the Colts would be doing more than just starting them. They would be banking on said player coming in and being a true difference maker to help upgrade a pass rush that has been looking for a game-changing pass rusher for quite some time.
Just looking at recent years, only one player since 2020 drafted in the second round has recorded over five sacks, that being the Los Angeles Rams Braden Fiske, who finished with 8.5 in 2024, and he’s a defensive tackle. Even first-round picks at the edge tend to get off to a bit of a slow start as they make the jump to the NFL. Last year, for example, only two finished with over five sacks: James Pearce Jr. with 10.5 and Jalon Walker with 5.5.
Whether they will admit it or not, the Colts know this would be a disastrous plan. They made a strong push to sign Trey Hendrickson to improve the room, but ultimately fell short. Many believe the Colts will clean house and fire general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen if they miss the playoffs for a sixth straight year. So if they are truly entering a must-win season, I don’t see how they will bet on an outlier second-round pick to fill the biggest need on their roster.
The Colts saw the learning curve for a rookie edge rusher in 4k last season with their very own selection of J.T. Tuimoloau. Tuimoloau was a very productive player for the Ohio State Buckeyes, finishing his four-year career with 23.5 sacks, including a team-high, and leading the Big Ten with 12.5 during his senior season in 2024. He was a major leader on the Buckeyes’ defense, which arguably led the way to the team’s run to the national championship.
During his rookie year in the NFL, though, he was a healthy scratch multiple times and was hardly in the weekly rotation. He finished the season with 17 total tackles, six quarterback hits, and zero sacks. I do think he started to flash a bit more down the stretch last year, but his struggles to make an early impact are a prime example of why the Colts would be making a disastrous mistake betting on a second-round pick to resurrect their pass rush. So it’s time to pull off a trade for a proven pass rusher around the league, such as Josh Sweat or Jonathan Greenard.
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