The Indianapolis Colts selected Ohio State defensive end Caden Curry with the 214th overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.
Here is a full breakdown of that selection with everything you need to know.
Profile
Caden Curry’s Ohio State bio
Quick breakdown
Playing behind other future draft picks while at Ohio State, Curry had to wait for his opportunity defensively. That came in 2025, and he took advantage, with Curry seeing a big jump in production as he posted 46 pressures and 12 sacks, according to PFF. Among defensive ends, he ranked 40th in pass rush win rate and was also one of PFF’s highest graded run defenders at this position group.
Caden Curry’s athletic profile
Scouting report on Caden Curry
“The tape doesn’t quite match the production, but with only one season as a starter, Curry’s play should continue to improve. He has good size and can play edge in even or odd fronts. He uses lower-body power to help access the pocket but his rush lacks explosiveness and a healthy set of go-to moves to open the protection up. He can rush from the interior, allowing teams to get more speed on the field. He’s built to hold up at the point but would benefit from an uptick in aggression to better command both his positioning and the block. Curry is athletic dropping into space and fits the mold of a stand-up edge with special-teams value.” – Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
They said it
Colts’ scout Tyler Hughes: “Just looking at his history early on, he produced on special teams there, something he took pride in. Should project well to our level as well. And I mean there was guys in front of him. You’re talking about whether it’s second-round picks, third-round picks, there’s always guys in front of him, but whenever he had an opportunity, he made a play. And then finally this year, he had the starting opportunity. 11 sacks this year. I think over 40 pressures. I mean, it doesn’t always look great, but this kid is going to give you everything he’s got and he’s going to be productive and he’s going to bring pressure to the quarterback.”
GM Chris Ballard: “We came back and took Curry, who’s local, I actually watched Caden play in the state championship game against Westfield and he was pretty dominant there. And to watch him go to Ohio State play his whole career and wait till his fourth year then get his chance and have a really big senior season, but he’s a really good, hard playing football player local guy.”
Caden Curry’s fit with Colts
Presumably, four spots in the defensive end rotation are already accounted for between Laiatu Latu, JT Tuimoloau, Arden Key, and Micheal Clemons. That leaves just a few snaps potentially up for grabs as the fifth member of the rotation, or it’s possible the Colts will go with just four regular contributors at defensive end. Curry’s impact as a rookie may be felt more so on special teams.
Caden Curry highlights
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts draft pick profiles: Everything to know about DE Caden Curry
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
