INDIANAPOLIS -- Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters Monday afternoon that Indianapolis wouldn’t force selections on positions of need, no matter how big the void may be.
It would’ve been hard to argue coming into Friday’s second round of the NFL Draft that the Colts had no bigger needs than at linebacker and edge rusher after six weeks of free agency. In the third round of the draft, though, the Colts called an audible, holding true to Ballard’s promise.
A team that signed three free agent safeties in free agency – none of them sure-fire starters – seems to have found its new Week 1 starter at strong safety, alongside free safety Camryn Bynum, in LSU’s A.J. Haulcy.
Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesSafety AJ Haulcy 13 interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.Safety AJ Haulcy 13 interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 27: Dae'Quan Wright #8 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball during the first half against AJ Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers lines up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Nov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU safety A.J. Haulcy (13) walks the field before the game with Alabama at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn ImagesBATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 15: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers reacts with Mansoor Delane #4 of the LSU Tigers after breaking up a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 06: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers defends during the second half of a game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)TUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers lines up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Nov 29, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) and Louisiana State Tigers safety Tamarcus Cooley (0) react during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn ImagesFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images1 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images2 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcySafety AJ Haulcy 13 interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.3 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcySafety AJ Haulcy 13 interception as LSU Tigers take on the Texas A&M Aggies. October 25, 2025; Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA; at Tiger Stadium. Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025.4 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyOXFORD, MISSISSIPPI - SEPTEMBER 27: Dae'Quan Wright #8 of the Mississippi Rebels carries the ball during the first half against AJ Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium on September 27, 2025 in Oxford, Mississippi. (Photo by Justin Ford/Getty Images)5 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers lines up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)6 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyNov 8, 2025; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; LSU safety A.J. Haulcy (13) walks the field before the game with Alabama at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Cosby Jr.-Imagn Images7 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyBATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - NOVEMBER 15: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers reacts with Mansoor Delane #4 of the LSU Tigers after breaking up a pass during the fourth quarter of an NCAA game against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Tiger Stadium on November 15, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)8 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyBATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 06: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers defends during the second half of a game against the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs at Tiger Stadium on September 06, 2025 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)9 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyTUSCALOOSA, ALABAMA - NOVEMBER 08: A.J. Haulcy #13 of the LSU Tigers lines up against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the first quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium on November 08, 2025 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)10 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyNov 29, 2025; Norman, Oklahoma, USA; Louisiana State Tigers defensive back A.J. Haulcy (13) and Louisiana State Tigers safety Tamarcus Cooley (0) react during the first half against the Oklahoma Sooners at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images11 / 11See Colts NFL draft pick S AJ HaulcyFeb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; LSU defensive back AJ Haulcy (DB36) during the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesThe 22-year-old, a four-year starter at three different schools during his college career, finished as a Tiger, grabbing three picks in 2025 after snagging five as a junior in 2024 at Houston – managing First Team All-Big 12 and First Team All-SEC his last two seasons in college.
Haulcy, nicknamed Mr. Give Me That in high school, led LSU in tackles per game (7.3) and total interceptions (3) as a senior who arrives in the NFL with average speed (he ran a 4.52 40 at the Combine) but a big body (5-foot-11, 215 pounds) who played his final year in college up above 220 pounds at LSU.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts take S AJ Haulcy in third round of 2026 NFL Draft: Grade, analysis, stats