Every Colts' 2026 NFL draft pick plus biggest positions of need
With NFL draft week here, let's examine when the Indianapolis Colts will be picking and what their biggest positional needs are. In total, the Colts will have seven selections in this year's draft. They are without a first-round pick after trading for Sauce Gardner and hold the Steelers' sixth-round pick from the Pittman trade, but not their own.
That was traded to Minnesota prior to the 2025 season for Mekhi Blackmon. The two seventh-round picks that the Colts have are compensatory draft picks. Their original seventh-round pick went to the Steelers in the Pittman trade.
In an effort to accumulate more draft capital, GM Chris Ballard has strongly hinted at wanting to trade back. List of Colts' official 2026 NFL draft picks by round and selection Round 2, pick 47 Round 3, pick 78 Round 4, pick 113 Round 5, pick 156 Round 6, pick 214 (from Steelers) Round 7, pick 249 Round 7, pick 254 Colts' positions of need: Wide receiver Alec Pierce Josh Downs Ashton Dulin Nick Westbrook-Ikhine Anthony Gould Laquon Treadwell Coleman Owen Eli Pancol As of now, that WR3 role on the depth chart behind Pierce and Josh Downs is up for grabs. Westbrook-Ikhine and Ashton Dulin are the likely frontrunners competing for that playing time.
But another addition at this position to boost competition and hopefully raise the floor of this unit should still be on Ballard's radar. Colts' position of need: Defensive end Laiatu Latu JT Tuimoloau Arden Key Micheal Clemons Durell Nchami Villiami Fehoko Jr. Ideally, the Colts would still be able to find that more high-impact presence to pair with Laiatu Latu, but admittedly, that may be difficult to accomplish without a first-round pick.
So adding as much competition as possible for meaningful playing time around Arden Key, Micheal Clemons, and JT Tuimoloau may have to play a key role in elevating the play this season around Latu. Colts' position of need: Linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither Jaylon Carlies Austin Ajiake Devin Versuk Joseph Vaughn John Bullock Even with the addition of Davis-Gaither, this is a position group very, very short on experience. Depth is needed, and more competition for playing time is needed.