Mel Kiper’s 2026 NFL Draft Grades For Indianapolis Colts

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. awarded the Indianapolis Colts a B+ draft grade for their 2026 NFL Draft performance, a notable assessment given the team did not possess a first-round pick. Sign up for PrizePicks with code: HMA and get $50 in lineups instantly when you play your first $5+ lineup! https://link.prizepicks.com/LME0/CHAT. Colts fans seem to agree with Kiper after the additions of CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher, A.J.Haulcy and others by general manager Chris Ballard. Colts talk host Billy Beebe reveals Kiper’s thoughts and breaks down each Indianapolis Colts 2026 NFL Draft pick. Think you've got the answers for the Colts? Prove it! Dive into these questions and let us know where you stand: See if your grade matches Mel’s! Comment your Colts draft grade below! Confidence level in the LB room? Scale it: 1-10 Indianapolis Colts 2025 Stats - Top Defensive Players: Laiatu Latu: 16 GP, 45 TKL, 12 TFL, 8.5 SACK, 5 PBU, 3 INT Zaire Franklin: 17 GP, 125 TKL, 7 TFL, 2 SACK, 1 FF Germaine Pratt: 12 GP, 101 TKL, 5 TFL, 8 PBU, 1 INT, 1 FF Mekhi Blackmon: 17 GP, 64 TKL, 2 TFL, 7 PBU, 2 INT Sauce Gardner: 4 GP, 16 TFL, 3 PBU, 0 INT Kenny Moore II: 14 GP, 55 TKL, 3 TFL, 6 PBU, 1 INT, 2 FF Nick Cross: 17 GP, 120 TKL, 5 TFL, 2.5 SACK, 5 PBU, 1 INT Once you’re done - watch more Colts YouTube videos here right now! Colts UDFA Tracker: Colts Sign 10 UDFAs After 2026 NFL Draft Ft. Cameron Ball & West Weeks -    • Colts UDFA Tracker: Colts Sign 10 UDFAs Af...   Colts Draft Grades: All 7 Rounds From 2026 NFL Draft Ft. CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher & A.J. Haulcy -    • Colts Draft Grades: All 7 Rounds From 2026...   Colts Draft Grades Day 2: CJ Allen + A.J. Haulcy Drafted In Rd 2-3 + Day 3 Draft Targets -    • Colts Draft Grades Day 2: CJ Allen + A.J. ...   If you want more Colts news videos on the channel, prove it - LIKE this one! Colts linebacker analysis: The Indianapolis Colts selected linebacker CJ Allen at No. 53 overall in the second round, a player Mel Kiper Jr. had ranked 28th on his big board, labeling him a 'steal'. Allen recorded 97 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 9 run stops, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and 3.5 sacks in 2025. Bryce Boettcher joined Allen as another linebacker pick, drafted in the fourth round at No. 135 overall. Mel Kiper Jr. projects a significant improvement for the Colts' linebacker unit with the additions of Allen and Boettcher. The new linebackers are expected to complement existing talent like Akeem Davis-Gaither, strengthening the core of the Colts defense. The Indianapolis Colts aimed to boost their pass rush by drafting defensive linemen George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry. Gumbs Jr., an edge rusher from Florida, was selected in the fifth round at No. 156, while Curry, an edge from Ohio State, joined in the sixth round at No. 214. These additions are intended to complement Laiatu Latu, who led the team with 8.5 sacks in 2025. The Colts tied for 14th in the league with 39 sacks in 2025 but ranked 30th in pass rush win rate at 29.1%, highlighting the need for these *Colts offseason* improvements. 2026 Indianapolis Colts Draft picks: RD2, 53 — CJ Allen (LB, Georgia) RD3, 78 — A.J. Haulcy (S, LSU) RD4, 113 — Jalen Farmer (G, Kentucky) RD4, 135 — Bryce Boettcher (LB, Oregon) RD5, 156 — George Gumbs Jr. (EDGE, Florida) RD6, 214 — Caden Curry (EDGE, Ohio State) RD7, 237 — Seth McGowan (RB, Kentucky) RD7, 254 — Deion Burks (WR, Oklahoma) Beyond the early picks, the Indianapolis Colts secured several other key players to deepen their roster. Safety A.J. Haulcy, drafted at No. 78, brings a ball-hawking presence with 8 interceptions and 12 pass breakups over his past two seasons, potentially challenging Nick Cross and Cam Bynum. Guard Jalen Farmer, selected at No. 113, was ranked No. 81 overall by Kiper and allowed zero sacks in 2025, bolstering the offensive line. Running back Seth McGowan (No. 237) and wide receiver Deion Burks (No. 254) add depth and potential playmaking ability to the Colts roster in the later rounds. More NFL news and rumors throughout the NFL offseason, along with the latest NBA rumors, can be found on Chat Sports social media pages - give us a follow today: Twitter:   / chatsports   Facebook:   / chatsports   You’ll find more YEAR-ROUND NFL/NBA/CFB news coverage at ‪@chatsports‬give us a follow across all social media platforms: Twitter:   / chatsports   Instagram:   / chatsports   Facebook:   / chatsports   TikTok:   / chatsportstv   #ColtsDraft #NFLDraft2026 #IndianapolisColts #CSDB #CSPP2026 #ad #CSCIN