The Indianapolis Colts will be on the clock for the first time in the 2026 NFL draft on Day 2 after not having a first-round selection.
Holding picks 47 and 78, what do the Colts need to accomplish with these selections?
The margin for error is small for Chris Ballard
Hitting on Day 2 picks is always important, but it’s a must for the Colts this year. With only two picks in the top 100 and several needs to still address, including linebacker, defensive end, wide receiver, and others, the Colts have limited capital to attack their needs with. That puts a premium on getting these Day 2 picks correct and finding immediate help.
The Colts should look to trade back
We already know that this is on Ballard’s radar, but given how the draft board fell after Round 1, the likelihood of that happening may have increased. With a potentially strong board, the Colts will have options when picking and are therefore afforded the luxury of moving back while still getting one of their guys. This would also give them more at-bats, with additional draft picks.
Of course, don’t trade back just for the sake of doing so — the board has to dictate that decision. But doing so makes a lot of sense, given the Colts’ needs and how Round 1 unfolded.
Address the front seven right away
As we and many others have talked about throughout the pre-draft process, addressing the front seven has to be a priority for the Colts. The linebacker position needs added competition throughout that position group, while Ballard should still be looking to add more pass-rush juice to pair with Laiatu Latu.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Colts must do these 3 things with Day 2 selections