Colts Draft CJ Allen, Strengthen Defense

0:00On April 25th, the Indianapolis Colts just snag linebacker CJ Allen from the University of Georgia with their first pick at number 53 in, the 2026 NFL Draft. They made it happen by trading back with the Pittsburgh Steelers, grabbing extra picks in the fourth and seventh rounds while sliding into this spot. After sending Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers back in March, Allen is fired up about joining Indy, saying he is all about making the defense tougher and that he just loves playing football. Playing in simple, this four star high school recruit always dreamed of suiting up for Kirby smart at Georgia where he learned that good is just the bare minimum. Standard over three solid seasons, with 205 tackles, first team All-American honors in 2025, and a track record like other Bulldog standouts now in the league, Allen is primed to run to the ball and lock down that inside linebacker role for the Colts.