Multiple analysts predict the Indianapolis Colts will focus on linebackers and wide receivers in the upcoming NFL Draft, with notable names like Anthony Hill Jr. and De’Zhaun Stribling highlighted. The Colts aim to strengthen their defense and receiving corps as they prepare for the 2025 season.
Key points
Colts expected to draft linebackers and wide receivers
Anthony Hill Jr. and De’Zhaun Stribling are key prospects
Jake Golday is another linebacker being considered
Caleb Banks' injury history could lower his draft stock
Indianapolis ColtsAnthony Hill Jr.Jacob RodriguezDe’Zhaun Stribling
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN - APRIL 25: Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor announces a pick during the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft on April 25, 2025 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Perry Knotts/Getty Images) | Getty Images
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas
Despite what Bill Tobin’s mailman will tell you, Kiper Jr. has been at this NFL Draft game for a long time for a reason.
Can’t forget former Colts GM Bill Tobin absolutely cooking Mel Kiper on live TV during the ‘94 draft pic.twitter.com/SgieoaQOES
— SleeperColts (@SleeperColts) April 22, 2026
The ESPN NFL Draft coverage figurehead has the Colts taking Anthony Hill Jr. in Round 2 to shore up the Colts beleaguered Linebacker core that is lacking both starters and depth. Colts get a 3 down Linebacker with a blend of range, downhill thumping, coverage ability, and instincts to be a starter at either WILL or MIKE.
ESPN’s Jordan Reid: Jacob Rodriguez, LB, Texas Tech & De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Jordan Reid opts for two popular picks for the Colts. Rodriguez’s coverage skills and punch out for turnovers are atop this talented Linebacker class. He flies all over the field and if he is there at 47 he will be very tempting to take so he can slide at WILL.
Colts Coach Cato June’s Linebackers for the National Team:
– Texas Tech Jacob Rodriguez
– Pitt Kyle Louis
– Oregon Bryce Boettcher
– Texas A&M Scooby Williams
– TCU Kaleb Elarms-Orr
A fun group of playmakers that June has reportedly made a strong impression on (and vice versa)
— Jay Robins (@TheJayRobins) January 29, 2026
Stribling brings a blend of reliable hands, powerful blocking, and strong sustained speed that makes him a threat at a variety of levels at the Z WR spot. Reggie Wayne also worked out with him and coached him up a bit during the Ole Miss Pro Day, which is a good sign of the Colts interest in him. Both have been commonly mocked to the Colts as strong fits.
Q&A
Who are the top linebacker prospects for the Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft?
Top linebacker prospects include Anthony Hill Jr. from Texas, Jacob Rodriguez from Texas Tech, and Jake Golday from Cincinnati.
What wide receivers are being mocked to the Colts in the 2025 NFL Draft?
De’Zhaun Stribling from Ole Miss and Chris Brazzell II from Tennessee are popular picks for the Colts' wide receiver needs.
What positions are the Colts expected to prioritize in the 2025 NFL Draft?
The Colts are expected to prioritize linebackers and wide receivers to enhance their defense and offensive options.
How might Caleb Banks' injury history affect his draft position?
Caleb Banks' injury history may cause him to fall to the third round, making him a risky but potentially valuable pick for teams.
Related Articles
NHL
3 burning questions for Florida Panthers entering 2026 offseason
Florida Panthers Face Key Decisions Ahead of 2026 Offseason
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
El Stuttgart defenderá corona en Berlín ante el Bayern
El Stuttgart gana 2-1 al Friburgo y se prepara para la final de la POKAL en Berlín.
Marca··1 min read
NFL
Why is Mike Vrabel at the NFL Draft? Explaining Patriots coach's counseling timeline and pending Day 3 absence
Mike Vrabel will miss Day 3 of the NFL Draft to seek counseling after recent photos with a reporter.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Soccer·Recap
Stuttgart reach DFB-Pokal final after extra-time victory over Freiburg
Stuttgart secures spot in DFB-Pokal final with extra-time win over Freiburg.
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
Sports
Cowboys, Jerry Jones make bold George Pickens call before NFL Draft
Jerry Jones and Cowboys Talk George Pickens' Future Ahead of NFL Draft
Yahoo Sports··1 min read
MMA·Preview
PFL heads to San Diego in June; A.J. McKee faces unbeaten foe in headliner
PFL heads to San Diego on June 27 with A.J. McKee facing unbeaten Salamat Isbulaev!
See every story in Sports — including breaking news and analysis.
The Athletic’s Dane Brugler: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati & Chris Brazzell II, WR, Tennessee
Dane Brugler has the Colts getting a different LB, the Bearcat Jake Golday. Golday is a larger LB who is a former Defensive Tackle but has surprising athleticism and range with coverage instincts on top of his clear block shedding skills.
— NFL Stock Exchange (@NFLSEshow) April 11, 2026
Chris Brazzell II is a downfield threat that has a lot of speed and size at the Z spot to take some of the heat off of Alec Pierce on vertical routes as he expands his role in the offense.
Bleacher Report’s Brent Sobleski: Gabe Jacas, DE, Illinois & Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Not every analyst is having the Colts take a LB in Round 2. Bleacher Report’s Sobleski has the Colts get a power rusher in Gabe Jacas who has a vicious bull rush and can set a hard edge to help replace the role that Kwity Paye held for the Colts defense.
I'm irrationally in on Gabe Jacas. Hoss. Not twitchy enough to be an elite sack guy but he's a great power rusher with good football IQ and spectacular effort. Gimme gimme gimme. pic.twitter.com/1ysKjO1PE8
— Benjamin Solak (@BenjaminSolak) March 25, 2026
He also has a double dip in the Defensive Line with Gracen Halton, a penetrating 3 Technique Defensive Tackle with a quick first step and nice set of finesse moves inside to get interior pressure. The Colts haven’t had back to back first picks in their class go on the defensive line since 2021 with Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo. Colts embrace another strong commitment to their defensive line to try to build the unit back up.
CBS Sports’ Mike Renner: Jake Golday, LB, Cincinnati & Caleb Banks, DT, Florida
Renner is another expert mocking Golday to the Colts, though he might not make it to the Colts at Round 2. The big surprise though is Caleb Banks falling to Round 3 after his foot injuries and 2025 inconsistent play.
— Jordan Reid (@Jordan\_Reid) March 4, 2026
Banks is a highly athletic 1 Technique who has rare length, strength, and burst but is a highly risky pick with his injury history. If he falls to Round 3 he might be worth the risk, but for a Colts team with a GM on the last year of his deal and on the hot seat with limited resources, the risk could be too great.
NFL.com’s Chad Reuter: De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss & Kyle Louis, LB, Pitt
NFL’s Chad Reuter gives the Colts Stribling in Round 2 instead of Round 3, then get Kyle Louis in Round 3.
Kyle Louis (Pitt) is the kid you are thinking of when you say coverage linebacker.
— ZeeBee (@BellinoZee) April 4, 2026
Louis is another high end coverage LB who would be a great fit at Weakside LB for the Colts with his range, fluidity, zone and man coverage ability. He is a reliable tackler despite his undersized weight, and for a Colts team that has struggled to cover the middle of the field this change at Weakside LB is sorely needed.
The Sporting News’ Vinnie Iver: Keith Abney II, CB, Arizona State & Gracen Halton, DT, Oklahoma
Iver gives the Colts their first Corner in these mocks with Arizona State nickel Corner Keith Abney II. Abney is a physical corner with reliable mirroring ability, good press ability, and strong speed to keep up with receivers downfield. He also has clutch ball skills.
ASU CB Keith Abney II is a sticky corner can be deployed in press man or off man, but shows his twitch and fluid transitions allow him to break on passes with ease. Disrupts the catch point well pic.twitter.com/nA5zfpNlyz
— Billy M (@BillyM\_91) March 15, 2026
Still Abney can get a bit grabby downfield and has issues shedding blockers. Still his coverage skills are impressive and the Colts could snag him to get a replacement for Kenny Moore who is on the trade block.
Destin Adams has the Colts going for Safety AJ Haulcy. Haulcy can be a Free or a Strong safety and has occasionally played nickel. His blend of speed, hard hitting run defense, football IQ, and zone coverage ability is an exciting mix that could make him a Best Player Available on the board.
— jeremiah🐦⬛ (@NewEraMiah) March 29, 2026
Skyler Bell has quick feet and nice cuts with a strong vertical threat but needs to continue to develop his hands. He is an inside out threat who can line up wherever and can be used in a variety of route depths.
Roundtable Sports’ Jake Arthur: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, Texas & De’Zhaun Stribling, WR, Ole Miss
Jake Arthur has another mock of Hill and Stribling to the Colts, showing that there is a strong sense of their fit to the Colts.
