Making the Case for a Draft Day Trade: Could the Colts Trade More of Their 2026 Picks?

Jan 4, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Alex Highsmith (56) applies pressure to Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) during the first half at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images | Barry Reeger-Imagn Images The Colts are heading into the 2026 draft without a first-round pick. Chris Ballard has built his reputation on stockpiling picks, acquiring as many “darts to throw at the dartboard” as possible.

That’s why last year’s trade for Sauce Gardner was so surprising. It went against everything Ballard has typically avoided as a general manager. It was bold.

It was a risk. It was going all in. I thought the trade was reckless at the time, and I still do, but not because the Colts are without a first-round pick in 2026.

Even so, while the Colts are happy to have Gardner starting on their defense, and likely aren’t too concerned about missing a pick in what’s viewed as a weaker draft, they now enter draft week with glaring needs and limited resources to address them. In free agency, the focus was on keeping the offense intact while reshaping the defense in a single offseason. They moved on from aging, underperforming players and replaced them with younger options who offer some upside.