Two defensive end prospects in the 2026 NFL draft that have been mocked to the Indianapolis Colts relatively often may be long gone. GM Chris Ballard is on the clock.
According to ESPN’s Jordan Reid, Illinois’ Gabe Jacas and UCF’s Malachi Lawrence are receiving a “heavy amount” of first-round buzz from NFL scouts.
“Lawrence can accelerate up the field in a hurry, posting a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the combine,” Reid wrote. “Teams love his upside as a pass rusher but also recognize his need to develop as a run defender. Jacas could be one of the biggest surprises on Day 1. Scouts pointed to his age (21 years old), heavy hands as a run defender and the flashes that he showed as a pass rusher en route to 11 sacks in 2025.”
Jacas is listed at 6-3 – 270 pounds and is an experienced player with nearly 2,300 career defensive snaps. Over the last two seasons, Jacas has surpassed 40 quarterback pressures and totaled 20 sacks, according to PFF. Out of 100 eligible edge rushers last season, Jacas ranked 32nd in pass rush win rate.
Lawrence, meanwhile, has been a steady presence along the UCF defensive front for the last three seasons, totaling 1,306 snaps. He is listed at 6-4, 250 pounds.
Each season, Lawrence’s production has increased, going from generating 25 pressures in 2023, to 28 in 2024, to 40 this past season. He has 20 total sacks during that span as well.
Although the Colts added to the defensive end unit this offseason, signing Micheal Clemons and Arden Key, Ballard shouldn’t be done adding to this unit. Ideally, both would be rotational players, just as Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis were. We still do not know what the Colts have in JT Tuimoloau either.
The good news is that there is a good amount of depth at this position in this year’s draft. However, finding a high-end presence to pair with Laiatu Latu without a first-round pick won’t come easy — especially if Jacas and Lawrence are off the board.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2 popular draft prospects mocked to Colts getting ‘first-round buzz’
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
