My 2026 Colts Draft Hot Take

[Puck]

Stephen Holder
@HolderStephen
·
16h
Overall, my initial reaction is this is a very strong draft for the Colts. Not sexy, but that’s not what they needed. They got a starting MLB, potential starters in the 3rd and 4th rounds, and hit all their positions of need with viable prospects. I like it.

https://x.com/HolderStephen/status/2...257584369?s=20

[ChaosTheory]

Originally Posted by Puck

I don't know any of these players. So I cannot make a judgement

Looks like PFF like them. Others as well. I do read a lot of fans showing dissatisfaction, but that's like being on this board

PFF
@PFF
The Colts received an A for their draft haul

https://x.com/PFF/status/2048432158528901335?s=20

I think I've read 4 or 5 breakdowns that give them an A.

The only negative shit is randoms online. And when it comes to random fans, just remember...

https://x.com/NFLMemes/status/2047352821486326139?s=20

[Puck]

Originally Posted by ChaosTheory

I think I've read 4 or 5 breakdowns that give them an A.

The only negative shit is randoms online. And when it comes to random fans, just remember...

http://<b>https://x.com/NFLMemes/sta...26139?s=20</b>

Yep. This one is priceless

[Puck]

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
3h
Biggest Colts position battles for camp (as of right now):

• Tuimoloau vs Key (starting edge)
• Davis-Gaither vs Boettcher (WILL backer)
• Farmer vs Goncalves vs Travis (RG and RT)
• Dulin vs Burks vs Westbrook-Ikhine (Rotational Z snaps)
• McGowan vs Giddens (backup RB)

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2048...418641201?s=20

[Puck]

Jay Robins
@TheJayRobins
·
21h
Colts steal report by Round via Consensus Big Boards:

- 2nd Biggest Steal of Rd2
- 6th Biggest Steal of Rd3
- 14th Biggest Steal of Rd4
- 2nd Biggest Steal of Rd7 & of the Draft

https://x.com/TheJayRobins/status/20...767883975?s=20

[Oldcolt]

I'm one of those dudes who is having a hard time getting excited about this draft. If championships were decided by what the experts thought of our drafting over the years we would be perennial contenders. I'm hopeful but need to see it on the field

[ChaosTheory]

I feel a slightly lesser degree of what I felt for the '22 class which I thought was great.

I wasn't familiar with CJ Allen prior... after catching up on some film and breakdowns from guys I tend to trust... I don't get why he was available. I've seen most of these guys projecting him from mid-30's up to mid-20's. Maybe because of his knee? Maybe because he doesn't have gorilla arms?

Regardless, I'm glad we got him. The use of the term "green dot" is getting obnoxious, but honestly, my favorite thing about him is him steering the ship at Georgia which is legitimate pedigree. And he looks like the LB equivalent of Leveon Bell in run fits. Good eyes, patience, and explodes.

The fact that they got him at 53 + a 4th and a swapped 7th that turned into another intriguing LB and RB makes it all the better.

----

AJ Haulcy was the one guy I was a little familiar with and is my favorite pick. Nick Cross was a gut punch and I didn't think I would feel good about SS going into the season. I do now. He's not super tall or long, but he's a big fucking safety. He pops guys, but he's also a ball-hawk type... and I think that has a lot to do with my favorite thing about him which is that he's a preparation guy.

The thing that got me so excited about Walley last year was learning that he was a film demon. So hearing that Haulcy is big on prep and situational study is awesome.

----

Catching up on the other guys...

-I trust the track record at OL enough to like Farmer. If he's at worst or #1 backup and forces the right side guys to earn their spot, it's a win. If he can beat someone out, he'll have beaten out a solid player.

-Everyone else seems to have been projected much higher than we were able to get them except for Gumbs—and he's a why not as a traits guy in the 5th. Hopefully that lottery ticket pays.

[YDFL Commish]

Originally Posted by Puck

Zach Hicks
@ZachHicks2
·
3h
Biggest Colts position battles for camp (as of right now):

• Tuimoloau vs Key (starting edge)
• Davis-Gaither vs Boettcher (WILL backer)
• Farmer vs Goncalves vs Travis (RG and RT)
• Dulin vs Burks vs Westbrook-Ikhine (Rotational Z snaps)
• McGowan vs Giddens (backup RB)

https://x.com/ZachHicks2/status/2048...418641201?s=20

I'll bet Burks takes more slot snaps than any other Colts this season.