The Indianapolis Colts selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen with the 53rd pick in the 2026 NFL Draft after trading back from the 47th pick. This move aligns with GM Chris Ballard's strategy to acquire more draft picks.
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CJ Allen selected by Colts in 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis stats
INDIANAPOLIS — The Colts ticked off the most glaring need on their roster with their first pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, following a script that general manager Chris Ballard has used time and time again during his time as general manager.
Indianapolis picked up an extra fourth-round pick by trading back from the No. 47 pick, then took Georgia middle linebacker CJ Allen with the No. 53 pick.
Ballard has spent months telegraphing his desire for more picks. The Indianapolis general manager said he wanted more picks at the NFL scouting combine, then said earlier this week that he believes the strength of the draft is in the third and fourth round.
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
The Colts selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen with the 53rd pick.
The Colts traded back from the 47th pick to acquire an extra fourth-round pick before selecting CJ Allen.
The Colts traded back to gain more draft picks, a strategy emphasized by GM Chris Ballard.
CJ Allen plays as a middle linebacker.
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
CJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers
Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide
Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Christen Miller (52) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrate after a victory over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) on the field against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Georgia linebacker CJ Allen (LB01) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
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Nov 28, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) in action against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the fourth quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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CJ Allen of the Georgia Bulldogs sacks Jackson Arnold of the Auburn Tigers
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Oct 12, 2024; Athens, Georgia, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Davon Booth (21) is tackled by Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Malaki Starks (24) and linebacker CJ Allen (3) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
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Sep 6, 2025; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) makes a tackle against the Austin Peay Governors in the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) walks into Mercedes-Benz Stadium before the 2025 SEC Championship game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs looks on during the first quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Sanford Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
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Jul 15, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs line backer CJ Allen answers questions from the media during SEC Media Days at Omni Atlanta Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Jordan Godfree-Imagn Images
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CJ Allen #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs celebrates during the third quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide
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Dec 6, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker CJ Allen (3) celebrates after the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the 2025 SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
With a handful of linebackers still available, Ballard saw an opportunity at No. 47. Only Ohio State’s Sonny Styles, Texas Tech’s Jacob Rodriguez and Missouri’s Jeremiah Trotter were off the board at the time.
Minnesota took a fourth linebacker, Cincinnati’s Jake Golday, at No. 51.
When Indianapolis got on the clock, the Colts decided it was time to take Allen, a player who instantly projects as the replacement for Zaire Franklin at middle linebacker.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts take LB CJ Allen in second round of 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis, stats