Chris Ballard hints at Colts' approach to 2026 NFL draft

When speaking with the media at the NFL combine, Indianapolis Colts' general manager Chris Ballard provided some insight into how he may approach the 2026 NFL draft.

As he said in his end-of-season press conference, Ballard reiterated the importance of getting younger and faster on defense this offseason, and this time, specifically mentioned doing so within the defensive front seven.

"The draft we think it's good on the defensive side of the football, especially in the front seven," Ballard said. "But it's a definite area that we need to address."

With Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis hitting free agency, the defensive end position needs to be reshaped. A more consistent pass rush is needed from this unit as well.

At defensive tackle, rotational depth is needed, not to mention that DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are entering the final year of their current deals.

At linebacker, the Colts are short on experience and need an added coverage presence alongside of Zaire Franklin.

From the sounds of it, these three position groups will be top priorities for Ballard this offseason.

Now, when it comes to making any selections at those positions, the Colts are without a first-round pick this year. Including compensatory picks, Indianapolis is set to have seven picks in total, with only two being in the top 100.

In an effort to accumulate more picks and opportunities to bolster the roster, trading back at some point in the draft is very much in play.

"We like to acquire picks," Ballard said. "I'm not saying we wouldn't move up in the draft because that's always a possibility, but there's a good chance we end up moving back, and we have plenty of -- like we're going to end up getting I think two comp picks, so we're at seven. I would anticipate having more when it's all said and done."

None of the information shared by Ballard should come as a surprise, but it provides some additional insight into how the draft may unfold for the Colts.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Chris Ballard on top priorities for Colts