Colts 3 Round Draft Prediction Addresses Monumental Needs

After the prominent wave of free agency for the Indianapolis Colts, multiple areas are still desperate for more talent, with the NFL draft just weeks away.

Without a first-round selection this year, the Colts will need get creative to address three pressing areas: defensive end, linebacker, and wide receiver.

Using the Pro Football Focus draft simulator with ultra-realistic settings, here is the path I took for Indianapolis' first three picks.

Round 2, Pick No. 47 | Gabe Jacas - Defensive End (Illinois)

Defensive end Gabe Jacas forces a fumble. — Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Illinois Fighting Illini linebacker Gabe Jacas (17) swats the ball from Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) during the second quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

It's as stale as day-old popcorn at this point, but the Colts pass-rush was wildly underhwelming in overall pressure rate and sacks in 2025.

Outside of promising young star Laiatu Latu, this room needs more punch, power, and consistency. Look no further than Illinois' Gabe Jacas.

Jacas played four years with the Fighting Illini and only got better throughout that time frame.

Jacas looked excellent during the 2024 and 2025 seasons, especially. However, his final year in FBS is where he displayed just what he can bring to a defense, especially one that needs a defensive end as bad as Indy.

I don't love the edge rusher options on day two for the immediate impact that the Colts need, but if they need ti grab one, I'd be cool with Illinois' Gabe Jacas.

Shows some power on film and can be a base down guy. Absolutely dominant vs. USC last season pic.twitter.com/ixsYohylKM
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 27, 2026

Jacas was an animal off the edge, logging 11.0 sacks, 13.5 tackles for loss, three fumbles forced, and 43 tackles. He also applied 3.4 pressures per contest and was capable as a run defender.

Indianapolis couldn't get Trey Hendrickson in free agency, and signing Arden Key was a good step in the right direction for depth, but adding Jacas is arguably the best-case scenario for a Week 1 starter in this draft for the Colts.

If this plays out, Lou Anarumo and new defensive line coach Marion Hobby should have smiles across their faces.

Round 3, Pick No. 78 | Anthony Hill Jr. - Linebacker (Texas)

Texas linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. gets ready to pursue the QB. — Jan 10, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns linebacker Anthony Hill Jr. (0) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Pittsburgh's Kyle Louis was available here, but recently in an interview with Colts reporter Larra Overton, general manager Chris Ballard brought up that Jaylon Carlies could be a capable inside linebacker.

Carlies is a coverage specialist, so if he joins Akeem Davis-Gaither, Indianapolis will want more of a downhill presence that can stuff running plays and be a blitzer. That's where Anthony Hill Jr. comes in.

Hill was electric in 2024, posting 16.5 tackles for loss, 113 tackles, 8.0 sacks, and four forced fumbles. He was much of the same in 2025, but missed some time with a broken bone in his hand.

This likely tanked his draft stock a bit, which is music to the ears of Indianapolis. Hill played 10 games in 2025 and logged 69 tackles, 7.0 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, and two picks.

Anthony Hill Jr. + Akeem Davis-Gaither + A Day 3 rookie will be perfectly fine at linebacker https://t.co/OGsfVJ0KyX
— Zach Hicks (@ZachHicks2) March 18, 2026

If Carlies is truly a starter-level linebacker, he'll take care of that coverage aspect the group lacked with Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt.

This beautifully opens the door for a guy like Hill, who can develop while rotating in consistently to potentially become a serious contributor as soon as his debut campaign.

Round 4, Pick No. 117 | Eric McAlister - Wide Receiver (Texas Christian University)

TCU wide receiver Eric McAlister celebrates. — Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs wide receiver Eric McAlister (1) comes off the field during the game between the Horned Frogs and the Bearcats at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

With the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers via trade, Indianapolis needs a replacement. It was a good idea to pad receiver depth with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, but he's more of a red zone threat.

Texas Christian's Eric McAlister is an excellent pick if he's available at the 117th pick for what Indianapolis needs.

McAlister was spectacular for the Horned Frogs and put up fantastic numbers during his 2025 season. This was his second with TCU after starting his collegiate career with the Boise State Broncos (2022 and 2023).

McAlister secured 72 catches for 1,190 receiving yards and 10 scores. He stands around 6'4" and weighs close to 200 pounds, which makes him a mismatch in most situations.

He's a volume-type receiver with big play capabilities, as indicated by his 18.2 yards per catch career average.

1. Eric McAlister, TCU

McAlister is a unicorn: very efficient at forcing missed tackles while playing out wide.

His 0.30 MTF/Rec is the best recent mark for a non-slot WR.

He also crushes both man and zone.

4.01 career man YPRR
2.64 career zone YPRR

My favorite day 3 WR. pic.twitter.com/P5D4YyzWCb
— Ethan Kreager (@EthanKreagerFF) March 31, 2026

While it could be risky to rely on a Day 3 option to slot in as a possible WR3, McAlister possesses all of the necessary traits to become that type of weapon.

Edge rusher and linebacker are more pressing, so if McAlister can land in the Colts' hands in Round 4, it gives them plenty of leeway for the rest of the draft while securing a talent wideout with high upside.

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