Colts' Mock Draft: Ballard's Strategic Picks

0:00On April 15, Dane Brugler from the athletic dropped a full seven-round Mott draft for the 2026 NFL draft, spotlighting the Indianapolis. Colts seven picks. They only have two in the top 100 right now. Pick 47 and 78, with GM Chris Ballard eyeing trades to stack more capital. First off at 47, they grabbed Jay Golday, a linebacker from Cincinnati, to plug that glaring hole behind a Keem Davis-Gaether. Then at 78, Chris Brazill II from Tennessee slides in as a big play-wire receiver, heating up the WR-3 battle with guys like Nick Westbrook Iqain. Meanwhile, pick 113 brings Genesis Smith, safety from Arizona, into a crowded, strong safety mix next to Bynum. At 156, Anthony Lucas, Ed from USC, adds rotation depth alongside new free agents Arden Kee and Michiel Clemens, pairing potential with Laetu, Latu. Later rounds, beef up the trenches and backfield, Drew Shelton,

1:01offensive tackle from Penn State at 2-14 for bench strength, Lorenzo Styles. Cornerback slash safety from Ohio State at 2-49 as a raw athlete for special teams, and finally, Lebian Moss, running back from Texas A&M at 2-54 to push depth behind Jonathan Taylor. Ballad's playing the long game here, targeting needs without a first rounder, but this mock shows how smart ads could flip their roster depth into. Contenders come next season.