The Indianapolis Colts just made a statement about the direction of the franchise. After shipping out several established starters and collecting future draft capital, Indianapolis has a chance to rebuild with purpose. The challenge now is to turn those picks into players who can help Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones compete when the team is ready to make another run. With needs on both sides of the line of scrimmage and across the receiving corps, the 2027 NFL Draft offers an opportunity to address the damage.
Agonizing season
The necessity of this drastic roster reset was written in the agonizing box scores of a fractured 2026 campaign. Through nine weeks, Indianapolis has stumbled to a 2-7 record. A season that opened with playoff aspirations has been undermined by an anemic passing attack. They have also seen injuries to perimeter weapons such as Alec Pierce, and late-game collapses. The franchise dismissed general manager Chris Ballard in October. Assistant general manager Ed Dodds has taken over on an interim basis. Rather than cling to veterans on expiring deals, Indianapolis moved Quenton Nelson, DeForest Buckner, Keenan Allen and Josh Downs. The four trades brought back six picks while sending one selection out. This has left the Colts with 10 picks in 2027 (none in the first round) and eight in 2028.
OL Kade Pieper, Iowa
Trading Quenton Nelson was painful, but replacing his impact cannot be an afterthought. Iowa’s Kade Pieper should be firmly on Indianapolis’ radar. His Hawkeyes background carries the physical identity the Colts should want to restore. His versatility could provide value across the interior.
Pieper plays with leverage and can hold his ground against power. He has shown the technical discipline to handle pass-rush contact while working effectively in the run game. Those traits matter in an offense built around Taylor. Indianapolis needs blockers who can create movement on early downs and keep the pocket clean when Jones drops back. Pieper offers a logical fit. He would not instantly replace Nelson’s leadership or All-Pro production. However, he could become a cost-controlled building block and help reestablish a dependable interior. With multiple picks available, Indianapolis can target value without forcing a reach.
DL Xavier Gilliam, Tennessee
Buckner’s departure created a major hole in the heart of the defensive front. His ability to command attention and disrupt quarterbacks from the interior was central to Indianapolis’ defensive identity. Tennessee defensive tackle Xavier Gilliam could help rebuild that presence.
Gilliam brings the size and quickness to make life uncomfortable for opposing guards. At more than 300 pounds, he has the frame to hold up inside. His first-step burst gives him a chance to penetrate gaps before protection can settle. He can also shed blocks and pursue laterally. That would add a different dimension to a defensive line that cannot expect one player to replace everything Buckner provided. Pairing Gilliam with Laiatu Latu could give Indianapolis a foundation for generating pressure from multiple levels. Latu can threaten off the edge; Gilliam would push the pocket inward. He has been mocked anywhere from the teens to the 30s, so it'll be interesting if the Colts can indeed land him in the second round.
WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
This is the minor miracle target. Becker can go as high as the top-10. If that's the case, the only way Indi gets him is if they trade up. That means another series of calls and moves from the front office.
Objectively speaking, though, the Cotls' receiver room needs an overhaul. Moving Downs and Allen stripped Indianapolis of two reliable targets. Pierce remains an important vertical threat when healthy. However, the Colts need another outside option capable of winning contested catches and producing beyond the occasional deep shot. In that case, Becker makes plenty of sense as a best case scenario.
He offers an appealing combination of size, speed, and ball skills. At 6-foot-4, Becker gives Jones a broad target and the ability to challenge defensive backs downfield. His contested-catch ability and capacity to stretch coverage make him an attractive fit for Indy's offense. Becker would not need to carry the passing attack immediately. He could complement Pierce, give Jones another boundary target, and make defenses think twice about loading the box to slow Taylor.
Looking ahead
Indianapolis has accepted that its 2026 season is no longer about chasing a playoff spot. The deadline deals admitted that the roster needed more than minor repairs. Now comes the harder part: converting draft capital into foundational talent. Pieper could stabilize the offensive line. Gilliam could restore interior disruption. Becker could give the passing game a much-needed weapon. The Colts have plenty of work ahead, but these three prospects offer a sensible starting point.