- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,130,939
- Reaction score
- 59
The Indianapolis Colts had few expectations entering the 2026 NFL Draft, considering they didn't own a first-round pick. Their eight-player haul got mixed reviews, but ESPN's Matt Miller believes they got good value on many of their picks.
He highlighted the 100 best picks relative to where they were selected. For instance, Miller selected the choice of safety Caleb Downs — the brother of Colts receiver Josh Downs — as the pick that offered his selecting team (Dallas Cowboys) the best value and scheme fit while addressing a need.
Five Colts picks made Miller's top 100 value picks out of 257 overall. Here, according to Miller, are the Colts' best picks.
(15th-best value; 53rd overall pick in second round; Miller's final ranking, 41st)
"Linebacker was one of Colts' biggest needs, and GM Chris Ballard added a downhill thumper with good coverage ability. Allen was once seen as a potential first-round talent, and Indianapolis hopes he'll become its next Shaquille Leonard-level linebacker. To get a value of 12 picks only adds to the praise this selection should receive. Checking off a crucial need without a first-round pick, and doing so with a player many had in the top 32 when the season ended, is good drafting. Allen and fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher will be fun to watch develop, with Allen expected to crack the starting lineup early in the 2026 season."
(20th-best value; 78th overall pick in the third round; Miller's final rank, 60th)
"All draft analysts have a player or two whose play they fall in love with. That was Haulcy for me. At 6-foot, 215 pounds and built like a linebacker, Haulcy looks like a safety who should be in the box on 90% of his snaps, but he dropped into deep coverage and picked off passes in pressure situations for LSU. He can also play in the box and stack up against the run. He'll combine with Cam Bynum to form a reliable back-end duo with a ton of speed and big-play potential."
(72nd-best value; 113th overall pick in the fourth round; Miller's final ranking, 99th)
"Farmer won't start immediately, but we love teams that draft for the future. And it has to be pointed out that Quenton Nelson has just one year left on his deal and is 30 years old. The hope is that Nelson will be back in Indianapolis long term and will remain one of the NFL's best guards, but Farmer could be the next man up at either guard spot given his college experience at right guard."
(86th-best value; 214th overall pick in the sixth round; Miller's final ranking, 133rd)
"During commercial breaks on Day 3, we often talked about when Curry would go. The Colts ended his slide toward the end of Round 6 to get one of the best value picks of the day. At 6-2, Curry lacks length but has power in his game and should provide a version of what the Colts got from Kwity Paye last season. Curry has to work to move up the edge rotation, but the Colts should be thrilled to get a player who had 11 sacks last season in a stifling, pro-style Ohio State defense led by former NFL coach Matt Patricia."
(92nd-best value; 254th overall pick in seventh round; Miller's final ranking, 108th)
"Burks' Day 3 fall was a massive surprise, as he sat atop my "best available" list for hours. He's undersized but has slot potential and should be able to help in the return game. Though Josh Downs is a rock-solid slot, the Colts need depth at receiver after trading Michael Pittman Jr. in the offseason and with Alec Pierce recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Burks' special teams ability gives him a legitimate shot to make an early impact despite his draft status."
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Colts draft picks may make impact as rookies, according to ESPN
Continue reading...
He highlighted the 100 best picks relative to where they were selected. For instance, Miller selected the choice of safety Caleb Downs — the brother of Colts receiver Josh Downs — as the pick that offered his selecting team (Dallas Cowboys) the best value and scheme fit while addressing a need.
Five Colts picks made Miller's top 100 value picks out of 257 overall. Here, according to Miller, are the Colts' best picks.
C.J. Allen, LB, Georgia
(15th-best value; 53rd overall pick in second round; Miller's final ranking, 41st)
"Linebacker was one of Colts' biggest needs, and GM Chris Ballard added a downhill thumper with good coverage ability. Allen was once seen as a potential first-round talent, and Indianapolis hopes he'll become its next Shaquille Leonard-level linebacker. To get a value of 12 picks only adds to the praise this selection should receive. Checking off a crucial need without a first-round pick, and doing so with a player many had in the top 32 when the season ended, is good drafting. Allen and fellow rookie Bryce Boettcher will be fun to watch develop, with Allen expected to crack the starting lineup early in the 2026 season."
A.J. Haulcy, S, LSU
(20th-best value; 78th overall pick in the third round; Miller's final rank, 60th)
"All draft analysts have a player or two whose play they fall in love with. That was Haulcy for me. At 6-foot, 215 pounds and built like a linebacker, Haulcy looks like a safety who should be in the box on 90% of his snaps, but he dropped into deep coverage and picked off passes in pressure situations for LSU. He can also play in the box and stack up against the run. He'll combine with Cam Bynum to form a reliable back-end duo with a ton of speed and big-play potential."
Jalen Farmer, G, Kentucky
(72nd-best value; 113th overall pick in the fourth round; Miller's final ranking, 99th)
"Farmer won't start immediately, but we love teams that draft for the future. And it has to be pointed out that Quenton Nelson has just one year left on his deal and is 30 years old. The hope is that Nelson will be back in Indianapolis long term and will remain one of the NFL's best guards, but Farmer could be the next man up at either guard spot given his college experience at right guard."
Caden Curry, edge, Ohio State (via Center Grove High School)
(86th-best value; 214th overall pick in the sixth round; Miller's final ranking, 133rd)
"During commercial breaks on Day 3, we often talked about when Curry would go. The Colts ended his slide toward the end of Round 6 to get one of the best value picks of the day. At 6-2, Curry lacks length but has power in his game and should provide a version of what the Colts got from Kwity Paye last season. Curry has to work to move up the edge rotation, but the Colts should be thrilled to get a player who had 11 sacks last season in a stifling, pro-style Ohio State defense led by former NFL coach Matt Patricia."
Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma (via Purdue)
(92nd-best value; 254th overall pick in seventh round; Miller's final ranking, 108th)
"Burks' Day 3 fall was a massive surprise, as he sat atop my "best available" list for hours. He's undersized but has slot potential and should be able to help in the return game. Though Josh Downs is a rock-solid slot, the Colts need depth at receiver after trading Michael Pittman Jr. in the offseason and with Alec Pierce recovering from offseason ankle surgery. Burks' special teams ability gives him a legitimate shot to make an early impact despite his draft status."
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Colts draft picks may make impact as rookies, according to ESPN
Continue reading...
