NFL analyst has the Colts making a shocking selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, and it makes sense the more you think about it
The Colts make a puzzling selection in a new 2026 NFL mock draft, but there’s an important reason why they may go that direction.
Many predict the Indianapolis Colts will have a heavy defensive lean in the 2026 NFL Draft. Multiple positions on that side of the ball are thin on the current roster, and the team is still looking for multiple defensive starters.
When you look at the roster, there really aren’t many positions with solid depth at the moment. They probably only feel good about their depth on defense at corner and defensive tackle.
That didn’t stop one NFL Draft analyst from suggesting the Colts use their first pick in the 2026 NFL draft, which comes in the second round, to bolster one of the deeper spots on Indianapolis’ roster.
Colts select Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks in Field Yates’ new mock draft
“Could Banks be long gone before this? It’s possible, but Banks recently underwent a foot procedure and was limited to just three games in 2025. He’s 6-foot-6, 327 pounds, and has 35-inch arms to give him pass-rushing upside. With 32-year-old DeForest Buckner returning from a neck injury, the Colts need youth at defensive tackle.” – ESPN’s Field Yates’ new 2-round NFL mock draft
If, after waiting nearly 50 picks to see the Colts make their first selection in this year’s draft, they use it on a defensive tackle, a lot of fans may riot. The Colts have their projected starters at the position in place in DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart, along with key depth pieces such as Coby Wooden and Adetomiwa Adebawore. They have also made moves in free agency to add more depth, signing Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery.
It’s a position they have a lot of investment in already, so with so many needs on defense, what could possibly lead them to draft a defensive tackle in the second round? Well, I think Yates says it well, Buckner’s neck injury is a concern that has to be weighed this offseason. This isn’t some standard injury that fans can assume will be left in 2025; a neck injury isn’t something to mess around with.
There’s a real chance we never see Buckner at 100% strength in the NFL again if the injury is serious enough. And as a result, there’s a solid chance the Colts will have to play multiple games a year in the future without their starting defensive tackle.
The Colts not landing a player at a position of need, like edge rusher or linebacker, in the second round would sting. But if they did go this route by taking Banks or any defensive tackle in the second round, it should set off an alarm that the team has real concern about Buckner’s health going forward.