What did the Indianapolis Colts’ AFC South division rivals do in the first round of the 2026 NFL draft?
After trading their 2026 and 2027 first-round picks to the New York Jets at last year’s trade deadline for cornerback Sauce Gardner, the Colts were without a first-round selection this year.
They are now scheduled to have two picks on Day 2. But before Round 2 begins, here is how the rest of the AFC South fared on Day 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Like the Colts, the Jaguars were without a first-round pick after trading it in last year’s draft to Cleveland to move up and select Travis Hunter.
Tennessee Titans
With the fourth overall pick, the Titans picked Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate — the first wideout taken in this year’s draft. Tate totaled 733 receiving yards in 2024 and 875 yards this past season with 13 combined touchdowns. He also averaged 17.2 yards per catch in 2025.
The Titans then traded back into the first round, taking Auburn defensive end Keldric Faulk at 31st overall. Tennessee gave the Bills picks 35, 66, and 101 to move up in exchange for picks 31, 69, and 165.
Faulk has been one of PFF’s top run defenders at the defensive end position the last two years, and totaled 75 pressures with 11 sacks during that span as a pass rusher.
Houston Texans
The Texans moved up as well in Round 1, jumping from pick 28 to pick 26 to select Georgia Tech guard Keylan Rutledge. Houston traded away picks 28, 69, and 167 to the Bills.
This was one of the surprising picks in Round 1, with Rutledge ranked as the 59th overall prospect on Arif Hasan’s consensus big board.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: How did Colts AFC South rivals fare in Round 1?