Colts Prioritize Wide Receiver in Final 7-Round 2026 NFL Mock Draft

Indianapolis addresses offensive needs early in final 2026 NFL mock draft.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 10:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented football players, balls, and field elements in a chaotic, multi-angled composition using navy, white, and red colors.The Colts' 2026 draft strategy aims to build a more dynamic offense around star running back Jonathan Taylor.Indianapolis Today

In a final 7-round 2026 NFL mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts prioritize wide receiver early on, selecting Ole Miss wideout De'Zhaun Stribling in the second round. The Colts also address linebacker, safety, edge rusher, running back, and offensive line depth in the later rounds.

Why it matters

The Colts have several needs to address in the 2026 NFL Draft, including wide receiver, linebacker, and edge rusher. This mock draft provides insight into how the team may approach the draft to build a more well-rounded roster around star running back Jonathan Taylor.

The details

In the mock draft, the Colts select Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with the 47th overall pick. Stribling is an experienced receiver who has eclipsed 800 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons. The Colts then address linebacker with the selection of Pitt's Kyle Louis in the third round, and safety with the pick of TCU's Bud Clark in the fourth round. In the fifth round, the team selects Ohio State edge rusher Caden Curry, and they add depth at running back and offensive line with their final two selections.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft will take place from April 24-26, 2026.

The players

De'Zhaun Stribling

A wide receiver from Ole Miss who has been a productive player, eclipsing 800 receiving yards in each of the last two seasons.

Kyle Louis

A linebacker from Pitt who has been effective as a blitzer, recording 50 pressures over the last two seasons, and has also made plays in coverage with 5 pass breakups and 6 interceptions.

Bud Clark

A safety from TCU who has over 2,700 defensive snaps played and has been one of the higher-graded run defenders at his position, while also producing 15 interceptions and 20 pass breakups over four seasons.

Caden Curry

An edge rusher from Ohio State who saw a big jump in production last season, posting 46 pressures and 12 sacks, and was also one of the highest-graded run defenders at his position.

Rahsul Faison

A running back from South Carolina who the Colts may look to add depth behind star running back Jonathan Taylor.

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What they’re saying

“Stribling fits the mold of what Chris Ballard looks for in a wide receiver. He is a very experienced player. During the 2024 and 2025 seasons, Stribling eclipsed the 800-yard mark and has been able to generate chunk plays, averaging almost 16 yards per catch over that span, which includes averaging an impressive 7.0 yards after the catch.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL.com Analyst

“Edge rusher remains a need for the Colts, so not addressing this position until Round 5 feels like a missed opportunity. While receiver is a need, I would be prioritizing edge rusher over wideout at pick No. 47.”

— Chad Reuter, NFL.com Analyst

What’s next

The Colts will look to build on their 2025 season and make a deep playoff run in 2026. Their performance in the upcoming NFL Draft will be a key factor in determining their success.

The takeaway

The Colts' focus on addressing their offensive needs early in the draft, particularly at wide receiver, highlights their commitment to surrounding star running back Jonathan Taylor with more playmakers. However, the team may have missed an opportunity to bolster their pass rush earlier in the draft, which remains a key area of need.