3 hidden gems that the Colts should target to address needs on offense in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Indianapolis Colts have more needs on offense than people realize and there are three hidden gem prospects on that side of the ball in the 2026 NFL Draft that the team should target.
The Indianapolis Colts have to get creative in the 2026 NFL Draft because they don’t own a first-round pick. They have seven picks in the class, but only three in the top 150 picks.
This means they need to look for hidden gem-type prospects in this class. Defense is where most of their needs lie, but on offense, starting roles and key depth spots are up for grabs. So here are three hidden-gem offensive prospects I think the Colts should target in the draft.
Dartmouth’s Delby Lemieux can compete for multiple depth spots on the Colts offensive line
The Colts’ offensive line depth took massive hits this offseason. They lost starter Braden Smith, which elevates Jalen Travis into the starting lineup. So, in a way, that move hurt their starting lineup and their depth. They also saw backup center Danny Pinter leave for a chance to start with the Baltimore Ravens.
Therefore, I expect a pick or maybe more on day three on offensive linemen. That’s a position Ballard has had a lot of success finding in that range. He landed current starting center Tanor Bortolini and former starter Will Fries on day three, even.
One option I think has a lot of upside in this class is Delby Lemieux out of Dartmouth. A three-year starter at left tackle who many think will move to center at the next level. I think he has a lot of upside and could compete to be Bortolini’s backup and/or with Blake Freeland to be the swing tackle.
Cincinnati wide receiver Jeff Caldwell could be a day one starter for the Colts as a day three draft pick
Jeff Caldwell, out of Cincinnati, was one of the biggest stars at the scouting combine this year. His 4.31 40-yard dash with him measuring in at 6-5 was jaw-dropping to see. That wasn’t his only stellar testing performance, though, with him also recording a 42″ vertical and 11’2″ broad jump.
The Colts need to replace Michael Pittman Jr., whom they traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers. I think they’d like to find someone with size, but I also think they want more juice than Pittman has given in recent years. Caldwell would certainly do that, and in my opinion, would compete to be a day one starter even though he’s predicted to be a day three draft pick.
Kentucky running back Seth McGowan could be exactly what the Colts need behind Jonathan Taylor
Running back isn’t often mentioned as a need for the Colts. Jonathan Taylor is their starter, and he’s one of the best in the NFL. Behind him, though, it’s pretty bleak at the moment.
The team drafted DJ Giddens last year, and they had high hopes of him carving out a role. He had a strong training camp but ended up getting jumped on the depth chart by veterans. Now that the room doesn’t have those veterans, I think it’s safe to assume they will target competition for Giddens, either in the draft or in free agency afterward.
If it’s in the draft, a player on day three, I like the fit with Indy is Kentucky’s, Seth McGowan. McGowan has great size at 6-0, 223 lbs. He’s an older prospect who just started college in 2020. His real college football experience came over the past two seasons at New Mexico State and Kentucky. He can be a rotational runner between the tackles, but his ability as a pass blocker and on special teams could get him on the field right away.
