A.J. Haulcy can be a Chess Piece for the Secondary Lou Anarumo is Coveting

Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images The Colts selected AJ Haulcy with their third round pick in this year’s draft. The player is fascinating, but the use of resources on a safety is even more fascinating to me.

I was shocked that they decided to address the safety position with their limited resources in this year’s draft— but I really shouldn’t have. Lou Anarumo’s scheme is not just a departure from the defenses of Ballard’s past, it’s totally changed how they’ve acquired players. Matt Eberflus, and particularly Gus Bradley, structured their fronts and their defenses to where the front was expected to get home with four, while they dedicated resources to clogging up zones.

Lou Anarumo’s defense is different. No defensive coordinator is ever going to turn down stud pass rushers, but Anarumo is eyeing chess pieces in his secondary that he can deploy all over the field. He wants to build a defense that forces the QB to hold the ball, while he takes advantage of pass protection schemes with simulated and creeper pressures.

Last year we saw players like Nick Cross and Cam Bynum rush the QB as much as any safety in the league. That will continue with AJ Haulcy. Because AJ Haulcy is not your average defensive back.