Colts Boost Roster with Impactful Draft Haul

Indianapolis adds key pieces on defense and offense without a first-round pick.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 9:13pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting various football elements like players, a ball, and field lines, all broken down into sharp, angular shapes and planes in a vibrant color palette.The Colts' patchwork draft class aims to provide a geometric boost to the team's roster ahead of a pivotal 2026 season.Indianapolis Today

The Indianapolis Colts had a busy 2026 NFL Draft, addressing major roster needs despite not having a first-round selection. The team landed an edge rusher, wide receiver, defensive tackle, running back, offensive lineman, and more to bolster their squad ahead of a critical season.

Why it matters

With veteran stars like DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart aging, the Colts needed to infuse young talent on both sides of the ball. This draft class gives them an influx of playmakers to complement their existing core and prepare for the future.

The details

The Colts kicked off their draft by selecting UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence, a freakish athlete who can provide immediate pass-rushing help. In the third round, they traded back and landed Georgia State wide receiver Ted Hurst, a dynamic playmaker. Ole Miss defensive tackle Zxavien Harris, Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton, Kentucky center Jager Burton, and BYU linebacker Jack Kelly were other key additions.

  • The 2026 NFL Draft takes place April 24-26.
  • The Colts' first pick came in the second round, No. 44 overall.

The players

Malachi Lawrence

A defensive end prospect from UCF who was a dominant pass rusher and run stopper in college.

Ted Hurst

A wide receiver from Georgia State who put up huge numbers and could provide a spark to the Colts' passing attack.

Zxavien Harris

A defensive tackle from Ole Miss who will help shore up the interior of the Colts' defensive line.

Nicholas Singleton

A running back from Penn State with an impressive college resume, including 45 rushing touchdowns.

Jager Burton

A versatile offensive lineman from Kentucky who can play center and guard, providing depth up front.

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What they’re saying

“Malachi Lawrence is a freak athlete who will be a perfect fit in our defense. We're excited to see what he can do.”

— Chris Ballard, General Manager, Indianapolis Colts

“Ted Hurst might get overlooked because he played at Georgia State, but he's a playmaking machine that we couldn't pass up.”

— Frank Reich, Head Coach, Indianapolis Colts

What’s next

The Colts will hold rookie minicamp in early May to get their draft class acclimated before organized team activities and training camp.

The takeaway

This draft class gives the Colts a solid foundation of young talent to build around as they look to compete in the AFC South. While they lacked a first-round pick, Chris Ballard and his staff made the most of their selections to address key needs on both sides of the ball.