Best players available for the Colts to target during day 3 of the NFL Draft: Starting caliber talent remains on the board
A look at the best players available following the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft that the Indianapolis Colts should target during day three to fill key positions of need on their roster.
The Indianapolis Colts finally got on the board making their first selections of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team added Georgia linebacker CJ Allen in the second round. Followed by LSU safety AJ Haulcy in the third round.
The team currently holds six picks on day three is there is still plenty of talent out there for them to add to their roster. Below I cover the best players available at positions that the team could target today between rounds four through seven.
Colts 2026 NFL Draft class through the first three rounds
- Round 2, Pick 53: C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
- Round 3, Pick 78: AJ Haulcy, S, LSU
There are a few edge rushers left that could end up playing a key role for the Colts in 2026
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
- Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
- Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
- Trey Moore, Texas
- Mikail Kamara, Indiana
- LT Overton, Alabama
- Anthony Lucas, USC
- Georg Gumbs Jr., Florida
- Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
- Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
- Keyshawwn James-Newby, New Mexico
- Patrick Payton, LSU
Many circled edge rusher as the Colts top need entering the offseason. That was even before they let Kwity Paye and Samson Ebukam walk in free agency. The Colts haven’t made a starter level addition to the room, and they passed over the position on day two fo the draft. If they target one on day three to try and develop into a starter some options I like are Dani Dennis-Sutton, Joshua Josephs, Trey Moore, Quintayvious Hutchins, and Keyshawn James-Newby.
Colts could find a day one starter at wide receiver with WRs like Elijah Sarratt and Skyler Bell still on the board heading into day 3 of the draft
- Elijah Sarratt, Indiana
- Skyler Bell, UConn
- Byrce Lance, North Dakota State
- Jeff Caldwell, Cincinnati
- Cyrus Allen, Cincinnati
- Josh Cameron, Baylor
- J. Michael Sturdivant, Florida
- CJ Daniels, Miami
- Kendrick Law, Kentucky
- Eric McAlister, TCU
The Colts had to move Michael Pittman Jr. to pay Alec Pierce this offseason. The only addition they’ve made to address that departure is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine. There are multiple players still on the board that could compete to be a day one starter despite being a day three draft pick. The top options I have my eye on are Elijah Sarratt, Skyler Bell, Bryce Lance, and Jeff Caldwell.
Corner
- Jermod McCoy, Tennessee
- VJ Payne, Kansas State (CB/S)
- Keith Abney, Arizona State
- Will Lee III, Texas A&M
- Keionte Scott, Miami (FL)
- Devin Moore, Florida
- Malik Muhammad, Texas
- Hezekiah Masses, California
- Chandler Rivers, Duke
- Ephesians Prysock, Washington
- Charles Demmings, SF Austin
- Ahmari Harvey, Georgia Tech
The Colts already added to their secondary with Haulcy in the third round. A selection at corner is very possible though. The team is expected to move on from Kenny Moore II either today or in the coming days via trade or by releasing him. They could look to add more depth on the outside or in the slot. Some top names I think fit the Colts the best still on the board are Hezekiah Masses, Will Lee III, Ephesians Prysock or the first round talent with a lot of injury issues tanking his stock, Jermod McCoy.
Offensive Line
- Connor Lew, C, Auburn
- Samuel Hect, C, Kansas State
- Parker Brailsford, C, Alabama
- Briant Parker II, C/OT, Duke
- Matt Glubin, C, Michigan State
- Jager Burton, C, Kentucky
- Drew Shelton, OT, Penn State
- Jude Bowry, OT, Boston College
- Travis Burke, OT, Memphis
- Aamil Wagner, OT, Notre Dame
- Diego Pounds, OT, Ole Miss
- Alex Harkey, OT, Oregon
- Enruique Cruz, OT, Kanasas
- Tristan Leigh, OT, Clemson
- Kage Casey, G/OT, Boise State
- Carver Willis, G/OT, Washington
- Caden Barnett, G/OT, Wyoming
- Logan Taylor, G, Boston College
- Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
- DJ Campbell, G, Texas
- Deby Lemieux, C/OT/G
The Colts starting offensive line seems to be decided already with Jalen Travis expected to slide into Braden Smith’s starting spot at right tackle. The team needs depth at tackle, guard and center though. I think we see atleast two offensive linemen drafted by the Colts today. The board looks good for that possibility with a ton of talent still available.
The best of other positions the Colts coulde target on day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft
- Dontay Corleone, DT, Cincinnati
- Graven Halton, DT, Oklahoma
- Darrell Jackson, DT, Florida State
- Kaleb Proctor, DT, SE Louisiana
- Zane Durant, DT, Penn State
- Landon Robinson, DT, Navy
- Nicholas Singleton, RB, Penn State
- Emmett Johnson, RB, Nebraska
- Mike Washington, RB, Arkansas
- Jonath Coleman, RB, Washington
- Kyle Louis, LB/S, Pittsburgh
- Keyshaun Elliott, LB, Arizona State
- Aiden Fisher, Indiana
- Kaleb Elarms-Orr, LB, TCU
- Harold Perkins, LB, LSU
- Jack Kelly, LB, BYU
- Jaden Dugger, LB, Louisiana
- Garrett Nussmeieer, QB, LSU
- Cole Payton, QB, North Dakota State
- Taylen Green, QB, Arkansas
- Cade Klubnik, QB, Clemson
After the Colts top needs there are few other positions that would make sense for the team to add help at. Above there are top players at four that come to mind. Depth at defensive tackle with a lot of talent still on the board. . A backup running back to battle with DJ Giddens to play behind Jonathan Taylor. A quarterback to battle with Riley Leonard in the case the team trades Anthony Richardson. Another linebacker to pair with the selection of Allen in the second round.
See who you can add to the Colts 2026 NFL Draft haul using A to Z Sports’ mock draft simulator.
