Stampede Blue
The 2026 Draft Class is filled with talented players, giving plenty of NFL franchises the opportunity to add to their rosters. Defense has the edge over Offense in the Round 1 and Round 1-2 Graded players, with 23/39 players lining up on that side of the line. They are led by 3 fantastic prospects, the Buckeye pair of Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs (Colts Wide Receiver Josh Downs’ younger brother and Downs 2 Business podcast co-host) as well as Miami’s Reuben Bain Jr.
For Colts fans waiting until mid/back half of Round 2 to see their team on the board, there is some good news. The Round 2 Graded players of the Draft have a lot of depth at potential need positions for the Colts. The 28 Player tier has:
2 QBs (both may go back to College with remaining eligibility, though there are more QBs in the next tier that could provide some possible starting options/competition)
3 Defensive Tackles (all of whom are Nose Tackles to provide depth/succession plan to Grover Stewart)
3 Linebackers (Succession plans for older LBs Zaire Franklin & Germaine Pratt, potential WLB starters for more coverage ability)
3 Tackles (in case Braden Smith isn’t re-signed/retires, though with the dearth of quality Tackle play he should be a priority)
3 RBs (Jonathan Taylor depth/succession plan as he enters his last year of his contract due for a big pay day)
4 Safeties (in case Nick Cross isn’t re-signed, valuable depth for a 3 Safety rotation)
4 Wide Receivers (in case Alec Pierce isn’t re-signed, but he should be a top priority)
4 Defensive Ends (3 Free Agent DEs: Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis. DE needs upgrades anyways)
The Colts should feel confident that there will be several players at need (or potential need) positions still available who will be values when they pick in Round 2.
*BOLD and Italics = Round 1 Grade
**Italics = Round 1-2 Grade
***Bold = Round 2 Grade
****Normal = Round 3 or Lower Grade
