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What is the dream scenario for the Indianapolis Colts on Day 2 of the NFL draft?
Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano answered that question for each team, and when it comes to the Colts, his response centers around the linebacker position, which remains a major need for Indianapolis.
In Manzano's dream scenario for the Colts, Indianapolis lands Georgia linebacker CJ Allen. The good news for the Colts is that while linebacker is a pressing need, there is depth at this position in this year's draft.
Allen ranked among the best in run defense over both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to PFF's metrics. He's been a very sound tackler. In coverage, he allowed 10.6 yards per catch in 2025, with three pass breakups.
Outside of Akeem Davis-Gaither, the linebacker room for the Colts is very short on experience. In line to start next to Davis-Gaither currently is either Jaylon Carlies, who has played 244 career snaps, or Austin Ajiake, who has 157 career defensive snaps under his belt.
Depth is needed, and more competition for playing time is needed. You name it, the Colts need it at linebacker. This is a position where Ballard should be double-dipping in the NFL draft, and he didn't rule out continuing to explore free agency, either.
"We've got some young guys in the locker room," Ballard said of the linebacker position at the NFL league meetings. "We brought in Gaither-Davis, who we like. Lou's had him. So he knows his skill set really well. There's still a couple guys in free agency that we'll still consider. We'd really like to see JC (Jaylon Carlies) -- JC's got to stay healthy, but we think he's got the skill set to be a really good inside backer.
"And look, there's been other years we've gone into this really young. and we're not afraid to go into it with a young player as long as they win the job and can execute what Lou and them want. We feel good about kind of the guys we have, some young players, but also some guys that are still out there and plus the draft."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Landing Georgia LB CJ Allen 'dream scenario' for Colts
Continue reading...
Sports Illustrated's Gilberto Manzano answered that question for each team, and when it comes to the Colts, his response centers around the linebacker position, which remains a major need for Indianapolis.
In Manzano's dream scenario for the Colts, Indianapolis lands Georgia linebacker CJ Allen. The good news for the Colts is that while linebacker is a pressing need, there is depth at this position in this year's draft.
Allen ranked among the best in run defense over both the 2024 and 2025 seasons, according to PFF's metrics. He's been a very sound tackler. In coverage, he allowed 10.6 yards per catch in 2025, with three pass breakups.
Outside of Akeem Davis-Gaither, the linebacker room for the Colts is very short on experience. In line to start next to Davis-Gaither currently is either Jaylon Carlies, who has played 244 career snaps, or Austin Ajiake, who has 157 career defensive snaps under his belt.
Depth is needed, and more competition for playing time is needed. You name it, the Colts need it at linebacker. This is a position where Ballard should be double-dipping in the NFL draft, and he didn't rule out continuing to explore free agency, either.
"We've got some young guys in the locker room," Ballard said of the linebacker position at the NFL league meetings. "We brought in Gaither-Davis, who we like. Lou's had him. So he knows his skill set really well. There's still a couple guys in free agency that we'll still consider. We'd really like to see JC (Jaylon Carlies) -- JC's got to stay healthy, but we think he's got the skill set to be a really good inside backer.
"And look, there's been other years we've gone into this really young. and we're not afraid to go into it with a young player as long as they win the job and can execute what Lou and them want. We feel good about kind of the guys we have, some young players, but also some guys that are still out there and plus the draft."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Landing Georgia LB CJ Allen 'dream scenario' for Colts
Continue reading...
