Grading The Athletic’s Dane Brugler Colts’ 2026 Mock Draft: Chris Ballard’s Seven-Pick Scramble
Let’s be real, Indianapolis Colts fans. You look at a draft board showing a measly seven picks, and you immediately break out in nervous hives. General Manager Chris Ballard probably wakes up in a cold sweat just thinking about making fewer than nine selections. But right now, that is the stark reality facing this franchise.
The Athletic’s draft guru, Dane Brugler, just dropped his magnum opus—the seven-round 2026 mock draft—and we desperately need to talk about what it means for Indy. With only two measly picks in the top 100, Ballard is going to have to pull a rabbit out of his proverbial hat, or at least flip some picks like pancakes on a Sunday morning. Let’s dive into this seven-player haul, analyze the chaos, and see if this mock draft actually fixes the glaring holes on a roster that is absolutely desperate for a spark.
Pick 47: Jake Golday, Linebacker, Cincinnati
Right now, the Colts’ linebacker room is basically Akeem Davis-Gaither and a whole lot of crossed fingers. It’s a massive, terrifying blind spot. Enter Jake Golday. The Cincinnati product isn’t just another warm body in pads; he’s a heat-seeking missile against the run. PFF loved him last year, grading him as one of the elite run defenders at his position. Frankly, the Colts desperately need someone who can blitz the A-gap with bad intentions. He brings immediate, unapologetic violence to a defense that simply got pushed around way too often last season.
Pick 78: Chris Brazzell II, Wide Receiver, Tennessee
Who is the WR3 in Indianapolis right now? Anyone? Bueller? Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Ashton Dulin are out there fighting for scraps, but this offense is crying out for some genuine juice. Brazzell gives them a legitimate, terrifying big-play threat. He’s got that coveted SEC pedigree and the kind of ridiculous catch radius that makes horribly inaccurate throws look completely intentional. You can never, ever have enough weapons in the modern NFL. Giving this offense a guy who can actually stretch the field and make defensive coordinators sweat on 3rd-and-long is an absolute no-brainer.
Pick 113: Genesis Smith, Safety, Arizona
Ah, the strong safety spot. A position that currently resembles a frantic game of musical chairs played by Jonathan Owens, Juanyeh Thomas, and Hunter Wohler. We have no earthly idea who will win that job, and it’s deeply unsettling. Genesis Smith steps right into this chaotic void.
He’s a guy who plays with a massive chip on his shoulder, which is exactly the kind of unhinged energy you want from a Day 3 defensive back. Best case scenario? He steals the starting job in training camp and never looks back. Worst case? He’s an absolute demon on special teams coverage, blowing up punt returners for a living.
Pick 156: Anthony Lucas, EDGE, USC
You knew Chris Ballard wasn’t leaving this draft without taking an edge rusher. The man just can’t help himself; it’s a sickness. Yes, they signed Arden Key and Michael Clemons in free agency, but let’s be honest, those guys are rotational pieces at best. And JT Tuimoloau is still a massive question mark hovering over the defensive line.
Anthony Lucas is raw—like, still-mooing-on-the-plate raw—but you simply cannot teach his physical traits. Ideally, you want a sure-thing pass rusher here, but beggars without a first-round pick can’t be choosers. You take the unformed clay and pray your defensive line coach is a master sculptor.
Pick 214: Drew Shelton, Offensive Tackle, Penn State
The Colts’ starting five offensive linemen are etched in thick, black Sharpie. But the depth chart behind them? Written in a fading dry-erase marker. If a starter goes down, you’re looking at Luke Tenuta or Blake Freeland stepping up to protect your fragile quarterback. That thought alone is terrifying enough to keep you awake at night.
Drew Shelton brings some much-needed, battle-tested Big Ten experience to the bench. It’s not a sexy pick. You absolutely will not buy his jersey. But when it’s late November, and your starting left tackle rolls an ankle in freezing rain, you’ll be thanking the football gods that Drew Shelton is in the building.
Pick 249: Lorenzo Styles, Cornerback/Safety, Ohio State
We have officially entered the scratch-off lottery ticket portion of the draft program. Lorenzo Styles is an absolute freak athlete who hasn’t quite figured out the finer points of actually playing defensive back yet. And you know what? That’s totally fine! In the seventh round, you aren’t drafting finished products; you are drafting traits and hoping for a miracle. He’s got the blinding speed and explosion to be a terrifying gunner on special teams, buying the coaching staff time to try and unlock his untapped defensive potential behind closed doors.
Pick 254: Le’Veon Moss, Running Back, Texas A&M
Let’s have a frank conversation about Jonathan Taylor. We love him, the city loves him, but the man cannot take 400 brutal touches a year and survive in this league. The depth behind him needs serious fortifying. Le’Veon Moss gives Indianapolis a physical, bruising, downhill runner to spell Taylor when he desperately needs a breather on the sideline. It’s a classic, low-risk late-round running back dart throw, but one that makes a ton of practical sense for a team that desperately wants to establish undeniable dominance in the trenches.
Final Verdict on the Colts’ Draft Haul
Look, without a war chest of early picks, this draft was never going to feature the glitz and glamour of a blockbuster trade. But if this mock draft is any indication, the Colts can still walk away with guys who hit people hard and fill critical depth issues. Will Ballard actually stand pat with only seven picks?
Not a chance in hell. But if the board somehow falls this way, Indianapolis survives the weekend and plugs the leaks on a sinking defensive ship. The overall grade for this mock draft from me is a B-. This draft will have to be one that really helps save Chris Ballard’s job if he gets this draft wrong it could be the end of him in Indy.
