The Indianapolis Colts are scheduled to make their first selection of the 2026 NFL draft on Day 2 at No. 47 overall. So what will GM Chris Ballard do with that pick?
Let’s make a prediction.
Rather than highlighting a player at 47th overall that I think the Colts could take, my guess is that Ballard trades back.
On several occasions this offseason, he’s hinted at wanting to do so.
“Don’t construe aggressive for moving up,” Ballard said in his pre-draft press conference. “Like to me, being aggressive can also be moving back and then moving around and acquiring more picks then moving — like I just think we’ll be active. That’s probably a better word.”
Along with Ballard saying he wants to move back, the way the board fell in Round 1 also seems to be conducive to a trade down taking place.
Many of the key positions of need for the Colts, like linebacker and defensive end, still have top talent available, potentially giving the Colts options when on the clock. That can be a recipe for a trade back.
Whenever the Colts do end up making their first selection, I expect them to pick a linebacker. That is the team’s most pressing need, and no linebacker prospects were taken in the first round either.
According to the consensus big board, CJ Allen (Georgia), Jacob Rodriguez (Texas Tech), Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas), Jake Golday (Cincinnati), Josiah Trotter (Missouri), and Kyle Louis (Pitt) are the top available linebackers.
Round 2 prediction: Colts trade down and pick Jake Golday.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: What will Colts do in Round 2? Predicting Ballard’s first move
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
