Deion Burks selected by Colts in 7th round of 2026 NFL Draft: grade, analysis, stats

INDIANAPOLIS -- With the loss of Michael Pittman Jr. in a March trade to the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Colts put themselves in the market for another wide receiver to become the team’s new WR3 heading into 2026. Having picked up veteran big play threat Nick Westbrook-Ikhine – who caught just 11 pass in 15 games that included three starts a year ago in Miami – in free agency, Indianapolis entered this week’s draft still believed to be in the market for a receiver prospect.

The Colts’ final pick of the draft – former Purdue standout turned Oklahoma speedster Deion Burks – doesn’t quite profile as a replacement in Pittman’s role but Indianapolis brass believes his high-impact potential can leave a mark on an offense in need of a little more juice at receiver.

Burks was slotted in by some as a mid-round draft pick, so falling to the final picks of the draft altogether – he was taken No. 254 out of 257 picks – gives Indianapolis value in the third offensive player the team selected this Draft.

Colts draft grade: Oklahoma WR Deion Burks, C+

Presumed to be a slot receiver by many, given his 5-foot-9, 180-pound frame, the Colts see much more from Burks, who they were surprised to see fall to them late in the seventh round. With 4.3 40 speed, he offers deep threat potential on the outside, too – something the Colts will need increasingly from someone other than Alec Pierce as the team’s top wideout transitions more and more into a well-rounded WR1 role coming off his record-breaking free agent contract last month.