The 4 positions the Colts could target with their first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which comes at pick 47 in the second round
Looking at the four positions that have a strong argument to be the Colts’ first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, which is set to come in the second round after their offseason decisions to date.
The Indianapolis Colts have multiple glaring needs on their roster following free agency and ahead of the 2026 NFL Draft.
The team traded away their first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 for star corner Sauce Gardner. This means they will wait until pick 47 in the second round to make their first selection this year.
What positions will they target, though? I think there are four possible positions the team could focus on, each with a solid argument.
Edge rusher
The most popular position people view for the Colts’ pick in the second round is edge rusher. The team lost two key players in the room this offseason in Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam. And to the shock of many, they haven’t made a move at this time for a starter in the room.
Laiatu Latu showed improvement last year and is a lock to be one of the team’s starters this year. So if they see a starting caliber player fall into their lap at pick 47, it would shock no one to see an edge selected.
Linebacker
After edge, the next most popular position for the Colts is linebacker. The team traded away Zaire Franklin this offseason. They did sign Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency. However, behind him, the room is very lackluster.
The only young player they can bet on taking a step forward is Jaylon Carlies. But his career has been hindered by injuries through the first two years. This linebacker class is full of talent, and they could find a day-one starter at pick 47.
Safety
Like edge the Colts lost a starter in free agency at safety in Nick Cross. The team has Cam Bynum at free safety, but needs someone to replace Cross as the strong safety.
Multiple talented players could be day one starters selected in the second round. In my opinion, the Colts need to prioritize landing a day-one starter in the second round, especially without owning a first.
Wide Receiver
Last up is a position that some will disagree with, but I have wide receiver as a legit option for the Colts in round two. Like likebacker, the Colts traded away a starter at the position this offseason: Michael Pittman Jr. The only player added to the room so far this offseason is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
There’s been a lot of success across the NFL in recent years, adding wide receivers in the second round. The Colts’ top wide receiver, Alec Pierce, was a second-rounder. The defense needs to be addressed, but if a talented wide receiver falls into their lap, he would have a great shot at starting right away and could be a difference maker as a rookie.
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