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The NFL combine begins soon, running from Feb. 23 to March 2. To preview this important pre-draft event, we will be taking a position-by-position look at which prospects were invited and the level of need that the Indianapolis Colts have at each spot.
The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.
For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.
In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.
Up next in our preview is the defensive line.
The need at defensive end is very high. For one, if you look at the current depth chart, this position group is very thin, with Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis all free agents.
But in addition to that, more pass-rush production is needed. GM Chris Ballard acknowledged this as well, saying that "more fuel" was needed up front.
As a collective defensive front, the Colts ranked 30th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric in 2025.
Then at defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are entering the final year of their current deals in 2026.
GM Chris Ballard also expressed the need to get younger and faster on defense this offseason. While not specifically mentioning defensive tackle in that sentiment, that is a position that could fall into that category.
The depth of this unit also has to be added to with Neville Gallimore a free agent. Adetomiwa Adebawore is in the final year of his rookie deal as well.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL combine: Which defensive tackle prospects were invited?
Continue reading...
The NFL combine is held at Lucas Oil Stadium and is an opportunity for the top NFL draft prospects in this year’s class to go through measurements and various on-field drills, some of which are specific to their position group, and others measure the player’s overall athleticism.
For NFL teams, this event is another data point for them as they build out their draft profiles and big boards. However, it’s a significant data point, with players potentially flying up and down draft boards depending on how they perform.
In addition to the on-field drills, teams also get the opportunity to meet with players one-on-one as well, which is another important part of the evaluation process as they get to know them both on and off the field.
Up next in our preview is the defensive line.
Colts' defensive linemen under contract before free agency
- DE Laiatu Latu
- DE JT Tuimoloau
- DE Durell Nchami
- DE Viliami Fehoko Jr.
- DT DeForest Buckner
- DT Grover Stewart
- DT Adetomiwa Adebawore
- DT Tim Smith
What is the Colts' need at defensive linemen this offseason?
The need at defensive end is very high. For one, if you look at the current depth chart, this position group is very thin, with Paye, Samson Ebukam, and Tyquan Lewis all free agents.
But in addition to that, more pass-rush production is needed. GM Chris Ballard acknowledged this as well, saying that "more fuel" was needed up front.
As a collective defensive front, the Colts ranked 30th in ESPN's pass rush win rate metric in 2025.
Then at defensive tackle, DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are entering the final year of their current deals in 2026.
GM Chris Ballard also expressed the need to get younger and faster on defense this offseason. While not specifically mentioning defensive tackle in that sentiment, that is a position that could fall into that category.
The depth of this unit also has to be added to with Neville Gallimore a free agent. Adetomiwa Adebawore is in the final year of his rookie deal as well.
Defensive linemen invited to 2026 NFL combine
- Vincent Anthony Jr., Duke
- David Bailey, Texas Tech
- Rueben Bain Jr., Miami
- Cameron Ball, Arkansas
- Caleb Banks, Florida
- Jaishawn Barham, Michigan
- Nick Barrett, South Carolina
- Rayshaun Benny, Michigan
- DeMonte Capehart, Clemson
- Brandon Cleveland, N.C. State
- Dontay Corleone, Cincinnati
- Keyron Crawford, Auburn
- Caden Curry, Ohio State
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Penn State
- Zane Durant, Penn State
- Bryson Eason, Tennessee
- Deven Eastern, Minnesota
- Logan Fano, Utah
- Keldric Faulk, Auburn
- Skyler Gill-Howard, Texas Tech
- George Gumbs Jr., Florida
- David Gusta, Kentucky
- Gracen Halton, Oklahoma
- Zxavian Harris, Mississippi
- Romello Height, Texas Tech
- Cashius Howell, Texas A&M
- Aidan Hubbard, Northwestern
- Lee Hunter, Texas Tech
- Quintayvious Hutchins, Boston College
- Gabe Jacas, Illinois
- Darrell Jackson Jr., Florida State
- Bobby Jamison-Travis, Auburn
- Marvin Jones Jr., Oklahoma
- Joshua Josephs, Tennessee
- Tim Keenan III, Alabama
- Nyjalik Kelly, UCF
- Malachi Lawrence, UCF
- Max Llewellyn, Iowa
- Anthony Lucas, USC
- Jackie Marshall, Baylor
- Chris McClellan, Missouri
- Kayden McDonald, Ohio State
- Akheem Mesidor, Miami
- Christen Miller, Georgia
- Derrick Moore, Michigan
- Trey Moore, Texas
- Tyler Onyedim, Texas A&M
- Domonique Orange, Iowa State
- LT Overton, Alabama
- T.J. Parker, Clemson
- Patrick Payton, LSU
- Kaleb Proctor, Southeastern Louisiana
- Jack Pyburn, LSU
- Albert Regis, Texas A&M
- Mason Reiger, Wisconsin
- Tyreak Sapp, Florida
- Gary Smith III, UCLA
- R Mason Thomas, Oklahoma
- Nadame Tucker, Western Michigan
- Damonic Williams, Oklahoma
- Wesley Williams, Duke
- Peter Woods, Clemson
- Zion Young, Missouri
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL combine: Which defensive tackle prospects were invited?
Continue reading...
