Best players available for the Colts heading into round 2: Results of round 1 of the draft played greatly in Indianapolis’ favor
A look at the best players available following the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft that the Indianapolis Colts should target in round two to fill key positions of need on their roster.
The Indianapolis Colts didn’t have a first-round pick on Thursday of the 2026 NFL Draft. So the team was at the mercy of the rest of the league to see which talent would make it to them in round two.
The team has multiple needs, and a look at the best available players makes it clear that the first round fell very favorably for the Colts. Their top four needs would be in the order of linebacker, edge rusher, defensive back, and wide receiver
There are talented prospects at each still available ahead of the Colts’ first selection at pick 47. Let’s look at the best players available for the Colts to consider with their first pick of the year.
Linebacker class remains deep with talent for the Colts to target
- Anthony Hill Jr., Texas
- Jacob Rodriguez, Texas Tech
- Jake Golday, Cincinnati
- Josiah Trotter, Missouri
- CJ Allen, Georgia
- Kyle Louis, Pittsburgh
The Colts’ linebacker room is one of the thinnest positions on their roster. Akeem Davis-Gaither is penciled in as one of their starters, but after that, there will be an open competition. Only two players, off-ball linebackers, were taken in round one: Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles. The top options I think fit the Colts best are Jacob Rodriguez, Anthony Hill Jr., and Jake Golday.
TJ Parker and Cashius Howell would be immediate day one starters for the Colts’ defense
- T.J. Parker, Clemson
- Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
- Romello Height, Texas Tech
- Zion Young, Missouri
- R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois
- Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
The next big need for the Colts is an edge rusher. Like a linebacker, they have one starter already in place with Laiatu Latu and need to find someone to complement him on the line. Preferably someone who excels as a speed rusher, and it wouldn’t hurt if they could defend the run at a high level. The top options available that fit the Colts best are T.J. Parker, Cashius Howell, Jasishawn Barham, Romello Height, and Dani Dennis-Sutton.
Jermod McCoy, D’Angelo Ponds, and Emmanuel McNeil-Warren would be major additions to the Colts secondary
- Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee
- D’Angelo Ponds, CB, Indiana
- Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee
- Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson
- Brandon Cisse, CB, South Carolina
- Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S
- Treydan Stukes, CB/S, Arizona
- VJ Payne, S, Kansas State
- Jalon Kilgore, S, South Carolina
- A.J. Halucy, S, LSU
The Colts could add a player at both corner and safety to improve their secondary. They lost starting safety Nick Cross in free agency and are expected to trade starting corner Kenny Moore II. If they were to target safety in round two, the best options for the Colrs to consider are Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Treydan Stukes, VJ, Payne, Jalon Kilgore, and AJ Haulcey. And if they went corner, the best options are Jermod McCoy, D’Angelo Ponds, Colton Hood, and Brandon Cisse.
Denzel Boston and Chris Bell lead the pack as the best available wide receivers the Colts could target in round 2
- Chris Bell, Louisville
- Denzel Boston, Washington
- De’Zhaun Stribling, Ole Miss
- Germie Bernard, Alabama
- Chris Brazzell, Tennessee
- Ted Hurst, Georgia State
- Skyler Bell, UConn
Last but not least, the Colts have a clear need at wide receiver. The team traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason, which opens up a starting spot at the position. Preferably, this player could play on the outside, opposite Alec Pierce, and separate at a high level. The best options available to fill the Colts’ need on day two are Chris Bell, Denzel Boston, De’Zhaun Stribling, Germie Bernard, and Skyler Bell.
