For the first 10 weeks of the 2025 season, everything looked to be coming together for the Indianapolis Colts. An 8-2 start had Lucas Oil Stadium buzzing and the AFC South seemingly locked up.
Then it all fell apart.
Seven straight losses. A torn Achilles for Daniel Jones. A 44-year-old Philip Rivers coming out of retirement. And a historic distinction nobody wanted: the Colts became the first team in NFL history to start 8-2 and finish with a losing record at 8-9.
Now, as the dust settles from the NFL Combine in downtown Indianapolis and free agency opens on March 9, Colts fans are turning their attention to the 2026 NFL Draft. Here's everything you need to know about where things stand.
The Sauce Gardner Trade Changed Everything
Let's rewind to early November 2025. The Colts were 7-2, looking like legitimate contenders, and GM Chris Ballard swung for the fences. Indianapolis traded their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, plus wide receiver Adonai Mitchell, to the New York Jets for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Gardner was a generational talent, the 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time first-team All-Pro. The problem? He played just three games in a Colts uniform before a calf injury shut him down for the season.
That trade is why Indianapolis won't hear its name called on Day 1 of the draft this April. Their first selection comes at pick No. 47 in the second round.
How Many Picks Do the Colts Actually Have?
As of now, the Colts hold five draft picks. But according to projections from OverTheCap, two compensatory selections should bump that total to seven. And Ballard hinted at the combine that the number could grow even more.
"I'm not saying we wouldn't move up in the draft, because that's always a possibility, but there's a good chance that we'll end up moving back," Ballard said. "I would anticipate having more when it's all said and done."
That tracks with Ballard's history. He loves accumulating picks and building through volume, especially when the team doesn't pick until the middle of Round 2.
The Quarterback Situation Is... Complicated
Before you can talk about draft needs, you have to address the elephant in the room.
Daniel Jones was a revelation during his first year in Indianapolis, playing some of the best football of his career before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against Jacksonville. The Colts placed the transition tag on Jones, which guarantees him $37.833 million for 2026 unless the two sides work out a longer deal.
Meanwhile, Anthony Richardson, the fourth-overall pick in 2023, appeared in just two games last season. The Colts have granted Richardson permission to seek a trade, and the market for him is expected to be soft. His combination of elite athleticism and inconsistent production makes him a polarizing prospect for other teams.
That leaves Jones as the presumptive starter heading into 2026, assuming his Achilles recovery goes well. Ballard could also look at drafting a developmental quarterback on Day 2 or Day 3 as an insurance policy.
Edge Rusher Is the Top Priority
If there's one position Colts fans should circle on their draft boards, it's edge rusher. The Colts' pass rush was solid but not dominant in 2025, with 39 sacks (tied for 15th in the NFL) and a 21st-ranked pass rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
Laiatu Latu took a nice second-year jump with 8.5 sacks and 61 pressures, ranking 15th among NFL edge rushers. But Indianapolis needs at least two more rotational pass rushers, and one of them should be a capable starter.
The good news? This draft class is loaded at the position. Draft analyst Dane Brugler currently has 16 edge rushers in his top-100 prospects. That depth is huge for a team picking at No. 47.
Some names that have been mocked to the Colts in that range include Miami's Ahkeem Mesidor, Oklahoma's R Mason Thomas, Alabama's LT Overton, and Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks.
Other Positions to Watch
Beyond the pass rush, the Colts have several other areas that need attention this offseason:
Linebacker needs a serious upgrade. The Colts were thin at the position all season, and adding a modern, three-down linebacker who can cover tight ends and running backs is essential in today's NFL.
Safety is another spot where Indianapolis could look early. The secondary showed flashes when healthy, but depth was a problem down the stretch.
Offensive line also deserves attention. Quenton Nelson, the eight-time Pro Bowl guard, turns 30 this month and has just one year left on his contract at a $24.2 million cap hit. Nelson is still one of the best guards in football, but the clock is ticking, and the Colts need to start thinking about the future of their interior line.
Wide receiver could sneak onto the radar, too. The Colts met with Texas A&M wideout KC Concepcion at the combine, a potential second-round talent. With Alec Pierce a possibility to leave in free agency and Michael Pittman Jr.'s contract potentially needing restructured, the receiver room could look very different by September.
The Salary Cap Picture
The 2026 salary cap is projected at just over $301 million. Even with that jump, the Colts need to create additional space through veteran cuts or contract restructures. How they handle free agency starting March 9 will directly shape their draft strategy.
If Indianapolis addresses edge rusher or linebacker in free agency, their pick at No. 47 opens up to a best-player-available approach. If they don't, expect Ballard to prioritize defense early and often.
Key Dates for Colts Fans
March 9: NFL free agency officially opens. This is when the Colts' draft board really starts to take shape based on who they sign (or don't sign).
April 23-25: The 2026 NFL Draft. The Colts won't be on the clock until Day 2, so settle in and watch how the board falls. With Ballard likely trading back for more picks, this could be a draft that stretches deep into the later rounds.
The Bottom Line
This is a pivotal offseason for the Colts. The 8-2 to 8-9 collapse still stings, and the Sauce Gardner trade has left them without first-round picks in back-to-back drafts. But Ballard has built successful rosters through mid-round gems before, and a deep edge rusher class plays right into his strengths.
The Colts need Jones healthy, Gardner back on the field, and a handful of impact defenders from this draft class. If those pieces come together, the 8-2 start of 2025 might just be a preview of what's possible in 2026.
What do you think the Colts should do with their first pick at No. 47? Drop your take in the comments, and sign up for the Get Indiana newsletter to stay locked in on all things Colts this offseason.