Charlie Campbell
Colts Rookie Forecast 2026
Solid Starter
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU – Round 3 
The Colts lost veteran Nick Cross in free agency, and that opened a hole at safety. Landing Haulcy in the third round was a good value for Indianapolis, as he could compete quickly for snaps. Haucly showed physicality as a tackler with the Tigers while also displaying nice ball skills for a strong safety. Over the last season, Haulcy was an instinctive defender who is dangerous in the middle of the field. He is not a safety to line up as a nickel corner and may not have the speed to be a deep centerfielder to defend the deep part of the field. However, I think he could emerge as a solid, strong safety early in his pro career and be a solid value pick for Indianapolis.
2025: J.T. Tuimolau, DE
2024: Adonai Mitchell, WR
2023: Julius Brents, CB
2022: Bernhard Raimann, OT
2021: Kwity Paye, DE
2020: Michael Pittman, WR
2019: Rock Ya-Sin, CB
2018: Braden Smith, G
2017: Quincy Wilson, CB
2016: Ryan Kelly, C
2015: Henry Anderson, DE
2014: Andrew Jackson, LB
2013: Hugh Thornton, G
Most Likely To Bust
NONEThe Colts were without a first-round pick from the Sauce Gardner trade, and they had two selections on day two. I think Indianapolis made some solid picks on day two and did an excellent job of drafting on day three. If a day three pick does not work out, that really is not a bust, according to teams, because the overwhelming percentage of day three picks don’t stick in the NFL. I don’t see a bust from the Colts 2026 draft class, and I think they will have some solid depth and value picks emerge.
2025: Jalen Travis, OT
2024: Tanor Bortolini, C
2023: Josh Downs, WR
2022: Nick Cross, S
2021: Kylen Granson, TE
2020: Julian Blackmon, S
2019: Bobby Okereke, LB
2018: Kemoko Turay, LB
2017: Tarell Basham, DL
2016: Hassan Ridgeway, DT
2015: Clayton Geathers, S
2014: Jack Mewhort, G
2013: Khaled Holmes, C
Potential Boom Pick
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia – Round 2
The Colts got an absolute steal with Allen in the second round. I knew teams that had him in the mix for their first-round pick, and in the wake after the draft, the Dallas Cowboys were close to taking Allen with their second selection in the first round. Thus, I think Indianapolis made out extremely well to get a first-round caliber player in the second round.
In run defense, Allen is big and physical in the tackle box. He is instinctive and fast to read his keys to get in position to make tackles. Allen is strong to take on and shed blocks with a quick burst to fire to the ball carrier. With his strength and physical attitude, Allen will hit hard and put ball carriers into the turf with force. Allen is quick, instinctive, big, and could be a three-down middle linebacker in the NFL.
In pass coverage, Allen is a skilled zone coverage linebacker who does a good job of covering the flat. He shows athleticism in space and is adept at tracking down receivers to make tackles in the open field. Allen moves well in zone coverage and also shows some ability to cover tight ends or backs in man coverage. Allen’s pass coverage is good enough to be a three-down starter in the NFL.
The Colts needed to add a potential starting middle linebacker, and Allen could be capable of stepping into that role immediately. Allen has plug-and-play starter ability with his intelligence, instincts, and outstanding football character. I think Allen could end up being a tackling machine and a potential Pro Bowl linebacker. It would not surprise me if he is a boom pick for Indianapolis.
2025: Tyler Warren, TE
2024: Laiatu Latu, DE
2023: Anthony Richardson, QB
2022: Alec Pierce, WR
2021: Dayo Odeyingbo, DE
2020: Jonathan Taylor, RB
2019: Parris Campbell, WR
2018: Quenton Nelson, G
2017: Malik Hooker, S
2016: Le’Raven Clark, OT
2015: Philip Dorsett, WR
2014: Donte Moncrief, WR
2013: Bjoern Werner, DE
Future Depth Player
Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma – Round 7 
This was a tough call because I think the Colts got some excellent values on day three of the draft with a group of players that have real upside. Kentucky guard Jalen Farmer could be a quality backup with the upside to grow into a bigger role. Florida edge rusher George Gumbs Jr. and Ohio State edge Caden Curry could compete for designated pass rusher snaps right away. Kentucky running back Seth McGowan is a power back with some speed, and he could have been a mid-round pick. McGowan could be a nice backup for Jonathan Taylor. I think Burks could end up being a nice backup receiver for Indianapolis. He is a fast and shifty playmaker. He was a dynamic big-play threat at times during his college career and could make the roster as a backup with upside. Burks could be a quick rotational receiver to help provide depth behind Alec Pierce and Josh Downs.
2025: Riley Leonard, QB
2024: Jaylin Simpson, S
2023: Adetomiwa Adebawore, DT
2022: Jelani Woods, TE
2021: Sam Ehlinger, QB
2020: Jacob Eason, QB
2019: Khari Willis, S
2018: Nyheim Hines, RB
2017: Marlon Mack, RB
2016: Antonio Morrison, LB
2015: David Parry, DT
2014: John Ulrick, OT
2013: Montori Hughes, DT
