Early Colts 53-man roster prediction: The NFL Draft answered some important roster questions, but some big ones still remain
Trying to predict how the Indianapolis Colts 2026 53-man roster will look following the results of the NFL Draft. Some major questions were answered, but they still need to find some crucial answers before the season.
Now that the NFL Draft is in the rear-view mirror, the 2026 season has never felt closer. The Indianapolis Colts‘ draft class answered some major questions about the team’s roster.
Even so, some major ones remain to be answered before the regular season begins. I decided it was time to give a way too early prediction of the Colts 53-man roster for next season.
Indianapolis Colts 2026 post-NFL Draft 53-man roster projection
Quarterback (2)
In: Daniel Jones, Riley Leonard
Out: Anthony Richardson (cut or traded)
The skinny: The Colts didn’t trade Anthony Richardson during the NFL Draft, which is shocking. It’s still hard to see the two sides sticking together for much longer. This leaves Riley Leonard to be Daniel Jones’ backup. And if Jones isn’t ready by week 1, Leonard would be in line to start.
Running back (3)
In: Jonathan Taylor, DJ Giddens, Seth McGowan (Rookie)
Out: N/A
The skinny: The Colts’ running back room is pretty bare behind Jonathan Taylor. So this wasn’t a difficult room to cut down. The team used a seventh-round pick on Kentucky’s Seth McGowan. Yet it feels like, as long as he has a decent training camp, he will have a spot on the roster.
Wide Receiver (6)
In: Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Deion Burks (Rookie), Anthony Gould
Out: Laquon Treadwell, Eli Pancol, Coleman, Owen
The skinny: The Colts waited till the seventh round to draft a wide receiver. However, they landed a player many viewed as a top-150 prospect: Deion Burks. This pick likely fills out the wide receiver room, with this sixth seeming to line up the team’s group for 2026. The only thing that may change that is if the team decides to sign a notable free agent like Jauan Jennings, for example.
Tight End (4)
In: Tyler Warren, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Will Mallory
Out: N/A
The skinny: Tight end was a position that already seemed pretty clear before the draft, and that remains the case. The team’s four for 2026 will be led by Warren and will feature a rotation of the other three behind him.
Offensive line (8)
In: Bernhard Raimann, Quenton Nelson, Tanor Bortolini, Matt Goncalves, Jalen Travis, Jalen Farmer (Rookie), Dalton Tucker, Nolan Rucci (UDFA)
Out: Josh Sills, Blake Freeland
The skinny: Drafting Farmer in the fourth was a bigger deal than some may think. His versatility will help him compete for a starting job. More importantly, he is a lock to make the roster. I also think undrafted rookie Rucci from Penn State has a solid shot at winning the swing tackle job. This could lead to a surprising cut in Freeland.
Defensive End (6)
In: Laiatu Latu, Arden Key, Michael Clemons, Jaylahn Tuimoloau, Caden Curry (Rookie), George Gumbs Jr. (Rookie)
Out: N/A
The skinny: The Colts added two rookies to their edge room in day three picks, Gumbs Jr. and Curry. The team still needs another starter, in my honest opinion, but unless they make a move in free agency, this group of six seems like a pretty safe bet to make the roster.
Interior Defensive Line (5)
In: DeForest Buckner, Grover Stewart, Adetomiwa Adebawore, Colby Wooden, Jerry Tillery
Out: Derrick Nnadi, Tim Smith
The skinny: The Colts defensive tackle group has four spots locked up with Buckner, Stewart, Adebawore, and Wooden. If they elect to keep five, it will be a battle between Tillery, Nnadi, and Smith.
Linebacker (5)
In: Akeem Davis-Gaither, CJ Allen (Rookie), Bryce Boettcher (Rookie), Jaylon Carlies, West Weeks (UDFA Rookie)
Out: Austin Ajiake
The skinny: No room was shaken up more through the draft than the linebacker position for the Colts. The team selected Allen and Boettcher, and both will be on the roster. Allen will be a day one starter at MIKE and will probably wear the green dot. The team invested a fourth-round pick on Boettcher. They also signed Weeks as an UDFA, who I think has a solid shot at making the roster, which could cost Ajiake a spot on the roster.
Cornerback (6)
In: Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, Justin Walley, Cam Taylor-Britt, Mekhi Blackmon, Jaylon Jones
Out: Kenny Moore II (traded or released)
I was expecting a corner to be drafted in the class, which would have made for a difficult conversation for the Colts. They ended up electing not to, though, which makes it a bit easier to predict. Moore has requested a trade, and the Colts seem motivated to grant his request to join a new team. If they do, it will make it a bit easier to cut down the corner room. The top six after that are pretty clear, so without another move or an unexpected injury, this room seems locked up.
Safety (5)
In: Cam Bynum, AJ Haulcy (Rookie), Juanyeh Thomas, Hunter Wohler, Jonathan Owens
Out: Daniel Scott, Reuben Lowery III, Nasir Adderley
The Colts landed a new starter at safety in round three by selecting Haulcy. Bynum and Haulcy will be the starters, and the team’s star position will be a battle between Wohler Thomas and Owens. I suspect all three will make the roster, though.
Specialists (3)
In: Blake Grupe (K), Rigoberto Sanchez (P), Luke Rhodes (LS)
Out: Spencer Shrader (K)
The kicker battle in training camp could get pretty intense. Both Grupe and Shrader had a strong season with the Colts as their kicker. So I think both are entering on even footing. The best performer in training camp is going to win the job, and with Shrader coming off a pretty serious injury, Grupe seems like the better bet right now.