Colts Trade Up, Grab 7 Picks in Mock Draft

0:00On April 23rd, the Indianapolis Colts are sitting out day one of the 2026 NFL draft after trading their first round pick at number 16, plus more assets to the New York Jets for star cornerback sauce gardener. That leaves them with just seven picks to start the three day event and General Manager Chris Ballard is eyeing trades to stockpile more capital. Since this might be his last big swing with the current regime. Earlier this offseason, Ballard moved a sixth rounder to Minnesota for cornerback Mecky Blackman and a seventh the Pittsburgh for wide receiver Michael. Pidman Jr., thinning their own picks even further. In this mock scenario, they trade back twice from the second round, grabbing extra selections from Green Bay and the Rams, then snag more from. Baltimore in round three, turning limited ammo into a deeper hall starting at pick 61. Colts fans are bracing for a long wait through 14 picks before their first selection, which kills the hype after missing the entire first round.

1:01But underscores the team's desperation to build around proven bets like Gardner amid aging stars on defense and questions they're running back death. Behind Jonathan Taylor. Key grabs include UCF Ed rusher Malachi Lawrence for past rush juice. Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday as a scheme fit Yukon Whiteout Skyler Bell. To boost a receiving trio in southeastern Louisiana defensive tackle, Caleb Proctor as a future interior anchor plus Penn State back Nick Singleton for a third down versatility. Meanwhile, they add slot corner jade on Canadian for Morgan, Indiana safety, Louis Moore for secondary depth Miami center James Brockermire as a gritty. Back up and Louisiana linebacker Jaden Dugger to round out the class smart athletic bets that scream ballers blueprint for turning trades into long term gridiron gold.