With their third-round selection in the 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected LSU safety AJ Haulcy.
Here are four things to know about this selection.
How does AJ Haulcy fit in the Colts’ defense?
Haulcy will immediately be in the mix for playing time, competing with Jonathan Owens, Junayeh Thomas, and Hunter Wohler for snaps next to Cam Bynum. Haulcy has the skill set to fill the role that Nick Cross left behind after signing with Washington in free agency. This addition adds another strong coverage defender to the Colts’ secondary.
AJ Haulcy’s athletic profile
AJ Haulcy’s draft profile
For more on Haulcy’s game, here is what NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein wrote in his pre-draft scouting report:
“Haulcy, aka Mr. Give Me That, is a throwback safety with a compact, densely muscled frame and a pro feel for reading the field. He’s a rare blend of ballhawk and enforcer who can scurry into passing lanes for takeaways or run through a receiver to break up a pass. His pattern recognition and instincts are top-notch and he’s decisive in his reactions. A lack of sustained top-end speed could create mismatches in man coverage. He’s more effective playing forward than he is at guarding large spaces in deeper coverages. He’s rock-steady as a finisher but sees the missed tackle total tick higher as an open-field tackler. Haulcy’s frame and game are pro-ready, though. He projects as a good NFL starter in a zone-heavy scheme.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 3 things to know about Colts’ third round pick LSU S AJ Haulcy
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
