ESPN NFL analyst Mike Clay recently highlighted the “biggest weakness” for each team ahead of the 2026 season. His choice for the Indianapolis Colts is a fairly obvious one — linebacker.
GM Chris Ballard said early on in the offseason that he wanted to get younger and faster on defense, and that’s very much the direction the Colts took at linebacker.
Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt, who led the team in snaps at this position in 2025, are no longer on the team. To reshape this room, the Colts signed Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency and then drafted CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher. Also returning from last year’s team are Jaylon Carlies and Austin Ajiake.
“The Colts weren’t as aggressive as expected in upgrading their linebacker room on a defense that ranked 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) and 25th in run stop win rate (29.2%) last season,” Clay wrote. “Davis-Gaither has worked as a situational player during most of his six NFL seasons, but he and the rookies will battle for every-down work in 2026.”
Relying on rookies and a player in Davis-Gaither, who has made just 24 starts over six seasons, is going to come with its uncertainties. However, assisting this unit should be a very good Colts’ secondary, and a defensive play caller in Lou Anarumo, who is very good at disguising and throwing different looks at opponents.
As of now, the expectation is that Allen will be the Colts’ MIKE linebacker, but the starting spot next to him is up for grabs. During offseason programs. Davis-Gaither, Boettcher, and Carlies all saw snaps with the ones. That said, Boettcher may be the name to watch.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: ESPN analyst identifies Colts’ biggest roster weakness for 2026 season
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
