Colts 2026 NFL draft superlatives: Biggest impact, most intriguing

Chris Ballard and the Indianapolis Colts ended up making eight picks in the 2026 NFL draft. For the most part, draft analysts very much like how things turned out for the Colts.

As we continue getting to know this year's draft class, let's take a look at this group through the lens of our post-draft superlatives.

Biggest impact: LB CJ Allen

Coming into the NFL draft, the linebacker position was a major roster hole for the Colts. The addition of Allen provides Lou Anarumo with a starting MIKE linebacker and someone who can impact both the run and passing games. Allen's presence will add needed stability at this position.

Best value pick: WR Deion Burks

Using Arif Hasan's consensus big board and comparing that to where each player was selected, Deion Burks was the best value by that metric. The Colts picked Burks at 254th overall, but on the consensus big board, he was the 96th-ranked player.

Biggest surprise: S AJ Haulcy

The surprise element is two-fold here. For one, this was another strong value pick for the Colts, with Haulcy being taken at pick 78, while being ranked at No. 56 on the consensus big board. But in addition to that, after an offseason where multiple additions were made at safety, while unknowns lingered at this position coming into the draft, I didn't necessarily expect Ballard to spend a top 100 pick on the unit either.

Head-scratching pick: None

Typically, there is a head-scratching pick in each draft class, but I don't see that being the case this year. Each pick made a lot of sense for the Colts, given where these players were taken and the needs that Indianapolis had on the roster.