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Colts UDFA profiles: Can DE Mitchell Melton make 53-man roster push?
The Indianapolis Colts announced that they signed 12 undrafted free agents following the conclusion of the 2026 NFL draft. Let's take a closer look at these players and highlight why each could make a potential roster push.
Up next is Virginia defensive end Mitchell Melton.
Profile
- Height: 6-03
- Weight: 253
- 40-time: 4.63-seconds
Mitchell Melton's Virginia bio
Quick breakdown
Mitchell played 213 defensive snaps between the 2023 and 2024 seasons while at Ohio State. This past year, he transferred to Virginia, where he had a breakout season, logging 53 quarterback pressures, ranking tied for 15th among his position group in that category. Melton would also rank 33rd in PFF's run defense grade.
Mitchell Melton's athletic profile
Scouting report on Mitchell Melton
"A four-star recruit who spent his first five seasons at Ohio State, Melton finally came into his own during his lone year at Virginia in 2025. He has the measurables of an NFL edge rusher with good size and length. He needs more reps at the position, though. His explosiveness is average, but he plays with good awareness and works his way into the action. Melton is an average bender who does an adequate job of setting up his rush with foot fakes. He lacks high-upside traits as a rusher but should continue improving with better hand usage." - Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Could Mitchell Melton make a roster push with the Colts?
How a player performs throughout training camp and the preseason is the most important aspect when it comes to making a roster push. However, that player also has to be at a position where there is an opportunity to earn a roster spot. Looking at the Colts' defensive end position, that appears to be a crowded room. While the Colts still have to figure out who will be starting opposite of Laiatu Laut, GM Chris Ballard did add to this unit heavily in the offseason, signing Arden Key and Micheal Clemons in free agency, while drafting George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry. JT Tuimoloau is returning as well. That's already six roster spots accounted for. While not out of the question, rostering seven defensive ends isn't common around the NFL.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Can UDFA Mitchell Melton make Colts' 53-man roster?
