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Colts draft S A.J. Haulcy - Round 3, Pick 78

https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/2047858584747438229

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The Colts are taking LSU S AJ Haulcy at No. 78.

A ball-hawking safety, Haulcy earned First-Team All-SEC last year and recorded 10 INTs in his career.

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2047859620895440991

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AJ Haulcy and CJ Allen in Lou Anarumo's defense is going to be so much fun.

Colts definitely got younger and faster there.

Really like Haulcy as a strong safety that can play that robber role at a much higher level than Cross did last year

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2047864461306855856

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The Colts play so much C1 Robber that it was vital to get a safety with the ability to play that MOF robber role at a high level.

Haulcy is gonna be fun

Below is the Ringer's scouting report. They had him ranked 47 on their Big Board.

https://theringer.com/nfl-draft/2026/big-board#content

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Player comp: Shades of Bryan Cook

Menacing, ball-hawking enforcer at safety with excellent instincts in coverage and plenty of pop as a tackler.

Haulcy is a big and physical downhill safety who loves to lurk at the second level and jump into passing lanes or deliver a big hit. A transfer to LSU in 2025 after stops at New Mexico and Houston, he tallied three picks and four pass breakups for the Tigers last year while giving up just one touchdown in coverage. He proved to be a ball hawk over his college career, racking up 10 picks, 15 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles over four seasons. Haulcy shows good instincts in coverage. He sees routes developing, reads the quarterback’s eyes, and jumps into passing lanes to pick off throws. He demonstrates an understanding of what the offense is doing and gets himself to a spot where he can make a play. He’s decisive and shows no hesitation when keying in on a route, giving himself a jump on the ball. He’s shown good ball skills, with the hands to pluck it in traffic. Haulcy is a physical defender who delivers pop on contact. He comes in with a forceful peanut punch to dislodge the football and plays through the receiver to knock the ball away. He’s a fundamental tackler who gets low, drives through the thighs, and wraps up, regularly planting pass catchers and ballcarriers on their backs. He chops his feet and breaks down in space to avoid overrunning the play. He bulldozes right through blocks to blow up screen plays.

Haulcy is a little bit stiff in coverage, and he struggles at times to change directions fluidly without losing his footing. He lacks the elite twitch and speed to play deep-center-field safety and can be late to react to crossers, leaving the middle of the field vulnerable. There are times when he leads with his shoulder when coming in for a tackle and doesn’t wrap up. He needs to do a better job of finishing.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlwaysSunnyinIndy (Post 346910)

https://x.com/MySportsUpdate/status/2047858584747438229

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2047859620895440991

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2047864461306855856

I’m calling bullshit on this, they got younger for sure but how the fuck did they get faster?

Nick cross ran a 4.3

Haulcy ran a 4.52

CJ Allen 4.5

Franklin 4.6

So obviously you get “younger “ by drafting players

Like this pick much more than Allen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apballin (Post 346919)

I think that Hicks’ comment about getting faster is exhibit 1 for the importance of solid punctuation skills. My impression is that he’s saying that Allen is faster than Franklin.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dam8610 (Post 346928)

Like this pick much more than Allen.

Agreed

I don't love his tackling form but he's aggressive.

The kid has LB like size. He adds versatility and definitely will play a big nickel role, at the very least.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apballin (Post 346919)

Play speed is so different from 40 time. If you want to know who's game fast, look at the top speed data from the combine drills.

Did more research and I really like this pick now.

Seems like Lou wants all the guys that play in the middle of the field to be interchangeable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by apballin (Post 346953)

Did more research and I really like this pick now.

Seems like Lou wants all the guys that play in the middle of the field to be interchangeable.

Haulcy is probably an upgrade on Cross for this defense.