During his End of the Year Press Conference, Colts general manager Chris Ballard explicitly stated that the defense has to get younger. Here is how the Colts can acheive that.

The 2026 NFL Draft

By far the most obvious way for the Colts to get younger on defense to to draft guys straight out of college. The issue here is making sure that the Colts actually get players who can make an impact on day one. Without a first-round pick this season, this task will be quite difficult. It wont be impossible, but it will be difficult. Below are a couple of players that could be picked on day two, who could help the team on day one:

Jacob Rodriguez LB

Jacob Rodriguez is a top linebacker talent from Texas Tech. In 2025, he led the Big-12 in solo tackles with 63 and led the NCAA in forced fumbles with seven. He also received numerous collegiate awards in 2025. To name a few, he was the Big-12 Defensive Player of the Year, won the Vince Lombardi Award, and was a consensus All-American. Scouts are projecting that Rodriguez might be available in the 2-3 rounds. If that is the case, the Colts would have a chance to get him.

Deontae Lawson LB

Deontae Lawson is a very solid talent at linebacker from the University of Alabama. IN 2025, Lawson ranked sixth in the SEC in solo tackles with 48. He also ranked fourth in the SEC in total tackles with 89. The bottom line is that Lawson is a playmaker with incredible leadership skills. If the Colts end up moving on from Zaire Franklin, they will need someone to step in and fill Franklin’s big leadership abilities.

Darrell Jackson DT

Darrell Jackson is projected to be a 3rd round acquisition with a lot of promise. Coming from Florida State, Jackson brings massive strength and presence in the interior of a defensive line. He could definitely blossom into a formidable run-stuffer if put into the right defensive scheme.

Joshua Josephs DE

Joshua Josephs is an outstanding edge rusher from the University of Tennessee. By all accounts, with his talent, it could be a shock to see him available in the second round. However, stranger things have happened in the draft. If available, the Colts definitely pounce on this talent. His overall stats do not jump out, but it’s his overall capabilities that sets him apart.

In 2025, Josephs had four sacks, six tackles for loss, three passes defended, and three forced fumbles, including two fumble recoveries. What sets him apart is his quickness, agility, and explosiveness. All of those components are vital to producing an elite pass-rusher.

Trade and/or Cut Some Veterans

Another way for the Colts to get younger on defense is to remove some veterans to make room for younger guys. The Colts are projected to have only around $34M in cap space in 2026. Therefore, to try and free up space in their cap, cutting and/or trading players would be the way to go. Below are a few names that the Colts should consider moving on from:

Zair Franklin

One of the biggest voices and leaders on this Colts defense is linebacker Zaire Franklin. The goal is get younger, and Franklin will be 30 years old by the time the season starts. Overall, Franklin still has a lot of good football left, but his services would be best utilized somewhere else to make room for youth in Indianapolis.

Franklin finished the 2025 season with 62 solo tackles. In Lou Anarumo’s style of defense, he simply did not thrive, considering the previous three seasons, he posted well over 90 solo tackles. Needless to say, Franklin has not been a world-beater and could save the Colts about $5.7M in cap space.

Michael Pittman Jr.

Michael Pittman Jr. signed a big three-year, $70M contract back in 2024. 2026 would be the last year of that contract, and if the Colts cut ties, they could save $24M in cap space.

The reason why Pittman would be a cut candidate is due to his inconsistencies on the field. For a guy who has been in the league for six years, the production just hasn’t been there, and he certainly is not producing on par with his pay. He has never made a Pro Bowl, the most touchdowns he’s had in one season is seven, and he’s only been over 1,000 yards twice. Pittman is certainly a solid playmaker, but if the Colts can save money to obtain and/or pay someone else who can contribute more, that would the most advantageous thing to do.

Kwity Paye

The Colts picked up Kwity Paye’s fifth-year option in 2025, hoping he would finally be an impact player. Unfortunately, that did not happen. Paye is a first-round pick by the Colts in 2021 and has yet to blossom as a top pass rusher. The most sacks he has in his career is 8.5. If the Colts want to negotiate and potentially get a 5-6 round pick, or acquire a more promising player, Paye would be a good player to do that with.