With the 237th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Kentucky running back Seth McGowan.
Here is a full breakdown of that selection with everything you need to know.
Profile
Seth McGowan’s Kentucky bio
Quick breakdown
McGowan rushed for 730 yards in 2024 while at New Mexico and then totaled 824 yards in the SEC with Kentucky this past season, according to PFF. He has 64 targets in the passing game between those two seasons, but he will have to improve in pass protection.
One stat to know
For his career, McGowan averaged 3.22 yards after contact, highlighting his ability to stay on his feet and pick up extra yards. In 2025, he ranked 42nd among running backs, generating 35 missed tackles. McGowan did that on 166 carries as well. A number of the players in front of him had over 200 carries.
Seth McGowan’s athletic profile
Scouting reports on Seth McGowan
“McGowan is a good-sized, coordinated athlete with adequate vision and run strength, although his lack of explosive traits and inconsistent third-down value will make it an uphill climb to prove his worth on an NFL roster.” – Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“McGowan is quick to process and has enough wiggle to create when needed. However, his lack of explosive carries and fumble totals are concerning. McGowan is effective in short-yardage situations and flashes the skill to handle backup carries, but his age and lack of third-down value could work against him on draft day.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
They said it
GM Chris Ballard: “Seth is a guy we’ve been watching here for a while. He had the incident when he was at Oklahoma, which we know, and we vetted hard. His relationship with our running back coach, our relationship with coaches at Kentucky and at New Mexico State. I’ve known the head coach at New Mexico State for a lot of years, and they all speak very highly of the young man and who he is and how he works, but he adds a real physical element at running back.”
Colts’ scout Tyler Hughes: “I think the first thing with Seth is just you have to project kind of his running style and the toughness that he brings and the size he has and how smart — it’s kind of a projection-based. He’s never played special teams, as you said. So it’s going to be a valuable thing for him to develop throughout his time here to get to that active roster and make an impact right away for us.”
Seth McGowan’s fit with the Colts
McGowan will compete with DJ Giddens for the backup running back role. Special teams contributions and ability to hold up in pass pro will be important factors in deciding this competition.
Seth McGowan highlights
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts draft pick profiles: Everything to know about RB Seth McGowan
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
