Colts hit a home run with two incredible selections to give its defense a boost in a new 3-round 2026 NFL mock draft
New three-round mock draft lands the Colts what they need most by filling two massive positions of need.
The Indianapolis Colts have a big offseason ahead, as all signs point to a playoff-or-else mindset among multiple key players, coaches, and front-office members.
The team has missed the playoffs for five straight years, and if 2026 marks a sixth, changes will be coming. That means free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft are even more important than normal.
A new A to Z Sports three-round 2026 NFL mock draft has the team targeting defense with both selections. And with the news of defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo set to return for a second year, that seems like the best path for the team to take at this time.
Colts select Missouri’s dynamic pass rusher Zion Young in the second round
With the Colts’ first selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, this mock draft had the team landing former Missouri and Michigan State edge rusher Zion Young. Young spent the first two years of his career at Michigan State, where he recorded 47 total tackles, 2.5 sacks, and 6.5 tackles for loss in 20 games
He then transferred to Missouri for his final two years, recording 84 total tackles, 9.0 sacks, and 22.0 tackles for loss. He’s coming off the best year of his collegiate career, setting new career highs with 16.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
The Colts desperately need to add more juice to their pass rush this offseason. The team has two players under contract in its EDGE room, Laiatu Latu and JT Tuimoloau. It should be expected that the Colts draft at least one in the 2026 NFL Draft, and Young would undoubtedly be a big addition.
Colts land underrated Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday in the third round
The Colts’ LB room didn’t perform at the level they were hoping this season. Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt had some big moments, but both play a similar style of football and don’t complement each other at all.
The team’s issues were even bigger than that, though, as the Colts had no real depth at LB, and it showed up time and time again throughout the season. The Colts will need to add multiple LBs this offseason, and they need to find at least one starter who excels in coverage.
Cincinnati’s Jake Golday is one of the best coverage LBs in the class and, for some reason, doesn’t get the hype that others do. In terms of players in the Colts range, Golday might be the best fit for what they need at LB. I wouldn’t even be opposed to Indy using a second-rounder on him; if he is on the board in the third round, it’s truly a no-brainer.
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