Colts 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft: An explosive pass rusher, doubling up on a defensive need, the perfect fit at WR, and more
A brand new Indianapolis Colts 7-round 2026 NFL Mock Draft looks at what the team’s draft haul could look like if they prioritize taking the best edge rusher available at pick 47 in round two.
The 2026 NFL Draft is just over a week away from kicking off on Thursday, April 23. The Indianapolis Colts will be waiting till day two of the draft to join the party, though. Having to wait until pick 47 makes it difficult to predict, in mock draft form, exactly what they will prioritize when building the class. They truly are going to have to let the board fall and then react.
I am in the middle of a four-part series where I build Colts ‘ seven-round mock drafts based on a different position being selected in round two. This article will discuss arguably the team’s biggest need: edge rusher.
Check out the other mock drafts in this series:
LB – WR (coming soon) – S (coming soon)
Colts 7-round mock draft: Has Indy pigeonholed themselves into needing to take an edge rusher in round 2?
The Colts not making a move for a starting edge in free agency or via trade is the biggest shock of their offseason to date. The team only has one viable starter in the room at this time, in Laiatu Latu. Their pass rush was already lackluster in 2025, and after losing their second and third-best players in the room this offseason, it now looks worse on paper.
As a result, now you could make the argument that they have pigeonhole themselves into taking the best edge rusher available at pick 47. It’s never a good idea to enter the draft with a need as glaring as this one. However, if they must go edge in round two, here is the type of draft haul I think they could realistically pull off.
Round 2, Pick 47: Illinois Edge rusher Gabe Jacas
To kick off their class, the Colts select Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. Jacas was one of the best pass rushers in college football over the last two years. He’s recorded 19 sacks since 2024 and is coming off a career high of 11 in 2025. His athletic profile is exciting, and he naturally leads his teammates on the field.
Now, Jacas isn’t a perfect prospect. He really struggles to defend the run, which could prevent him from being a three-down player early in his career. His skill set would complement Latu’s well, though. After waiting nearly 50 picks to make a selection, they need to make sure this pick is a hit. Jacas’ proven production, paired with his elite athleticism, gives him a good chance to become a consistent pass rusher at the NFL level.
Round 3, Pick 78: Pittsburgh LB Kyle Louis
Another big need on the Colts defense is linebacker. After going edge in round one, taking the best linebacker available in round three could be a good way to end day two of the draft. To me, I think Pittsburgh linebacker Kyle Louis is being undervalued. His coverage ability is second to none in this class, which would be a welcome addition to the Colts’ defense.
His slender build will worry some when it comes to him playing linebacker, but I don’t think it would concern Lou Anarumo. Louis would give Anarumo a linebacker who can also play safety, which makes him a unique chess piece. The Colts defense needs playmakers, and Louis fits that mold perfectly.
Round 4 pick 113: Ole Miss WR De’Zhaun Stribling
The Colts finally address an offensive need here in round four. The Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. away this offseason, which created a big hole at wide receiver. The team knows Alec Pierce and Josh Downs will be starters, but that second outside job is up for grabs. One of my favorite fits in this year’s class to fill it is Ole Miss’ De’Zhaun Stribling.
At 6-2, 207, he has plenty of size to play on the outside, but his skill set is what makes him such an incredible fit. Stribling excels at beating press coverage and winning off the line of scrimmage. And after he finds an opening in the middle of the field, he is a threat to take it to the house in open space. He would complement Pierce’s deep ball ability so well and give Daniel Jones a complete wide receiver core.
Round 5 pick 156: Indiana LB Aiden Fisher
The sports world won’t forget the Indiana Hoosiers’ magical national championship season for quite some time. Linebacker Aiden Fisher played a major role in turning that program around. He was the heartbeat of the Hoosiers’ defense, and Curt Cignetti trusted him to be the leader of that unit. Fisher is a smart player who impacted the game in so many ways at Indiana. I think a linebacker duo of Louis and Fisher going forward would be exciting to watch.
Round 6 pick 214: Clemson OT Tristan Leigh
The Colts drafting at least one offensive lineman in this year’s class feels like a lock. They have very minimal depth behind their starting five. Clemson’s Tristan Leigh would be competition for Blake Freeland to be the team’s swing tackle in 2026. He also started a game at guard during his college career. So, there could be some position flexibility for the Colts to experiment with as well.
Round 7 pick 249: Nebraska S Deshon Singleton
Safety is the most underrated position group in this year’s class. I see so many players with future starter potential. That is one of the reasons why, if the Colts don’t take one early, I think it may be best to wait till late day three. Nebraska’s DeShon Singleton, for example, started 25 games over the last two years. He was also an honorable mention for All-Big Ten last year. Singleton has proven ball skills, but what impresses me the most is how instinctive he is and how aggressively he attacks ball carriers in the open field. He can be a solid special teamer as a rookie, and I think he can be a future starter in the NFL.
Round 7 pick 254: Kentucky DT David Gusta
If David Gusta were coming to the NFL off his Washington State film, he wouldn’t be flying under the radar. He projects best as a nose tackle in the NFL and possesses speed you don’t typically see at the position, a 4.88 40-yard dash. The Colts have solid depth at defensive tackle, but they still don’t have a backup nose tackle to Grover Stewart. Despite being a seventh-round pick, I actually think Gusta has the potential to carve out a role in the NFL.
Colts mock draft full summary:
The Colts defensive haul headlines this draft. Of their seven selections, five were defensive players. Looking at the class, I see three players who could play major roles on defense as rookies: Jacas, Louis, and Fisher. As well as two players with upside that could surprise some people in Singleton and Gusta. That, paired with a day one starter on offense in Stribling, and the Colts would be very pleased if they left the draft with this group.
