Ballard's Draft Day Magic: Colts Land CJ Allen

0:00On April 25th, Colts GM Chris Ballard pulled off another slick trade down on day 2 of the 2026 NFL draft. He swapped the 47th pick with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sliding back to 53 and picking up an extra fourth rounder at number 1, 35. Still landed Georgia linebacker CJ Allen right there at 53, a starting mic backer ready to roll. This move echoes what Ballard did four years back in 2022. No first round pick then, but he traded from 42 down to 53, with the Vikings grabbed wide-out Alec Pierce and used the extra. Third rounder on tackle Bernhard Ryman, both dudes are locked in now with fresh market deals anchoring that offense. Ballard almost traded back again from 53, but pumped the brakes. Linebackers were flying off the board, like Texas Tech's Jacob Rodriguez to Miami at 43 and others right after. Disc losing Allen, so they stayed put, fans and scouts digging how he balances picks

1:00in Tallinn. Allen steps in as a potential replacement for Zaire Franklin, shipped to Green Bay back in March for a defensive tackle, dudes started as a freshman at Georgia in 2023, thriving in that SEC grinder with top instincts speed and smarts. Trades that scream quick NFL jump, just like the program stars before him. That bonus fourth round pick gives Ballard ammo for day three, stacking depth and upside across the roster. Smart chests like always, keeping the cults building strong.