INDIANAPOLIS — Linebacker was clearly the most glaring need for the Colts entering the draft.
Indianapolis traded away long-time middle linebacker Zaire Franklin, has allowed weak-side starter Germaine Pratt to remain a free agent and brought back only one linebacker, Austin Ajiake, who played more than 100 defensive snaps last season.
The Colts responded by taking two linebackers in their top four picks in the NFL Draft. Indianapolis opened the draft by taking Georgia’s CJ Allen, then drafted Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher with the 135th overall pick, the selection the team got from trading back in the second round on Friday night.
Boettcher, a two-sport athlete who also played baseball at Oregon, is an instinctive, run and chase linebacker who produced 136 tackles in his final year with the Ducks, the sixth-most in FBS.
When he was a junior, Boettcher won the Burlsworth Trophy as the nation’s top player who began his career as a walk-on.
Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher celebrates the Ducks' victory over James Madison at the end of the game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Dec. 20, 2025.Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher speaks to reporters during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon.Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher competes in the 40-yard dash during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon.Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates his win as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Feb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (LB04) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher knocks down a pass by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.Jan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team linebacker Bryce Boettcher (46) of Oregon practices during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn ImagesNov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) pressures Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn ImagesOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher wrangles Wisconsin running back Gideon Ituka as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.Oregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher forces a fumble from Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.Nov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn ImagesPenn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) is tackled by Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the second quarter in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.Jan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) reacts with linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) after an interception by the Ducks against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images1 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon’s Bryce Boettcher celebrates the Ducks' victory over James Madison at the end of the game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Dec. 20, 2025.1 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon’s Bryce Boettcher celebrates the Ducks' victory over James Madison at the end of the game at Autzen Stadium in Eugene Dec. 20, 2025.2 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher speaks to reporters during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon.3 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher competes in the 40-yard dash during Oregon Pro Day on March 17, 2026, at the Moshofsky Center in Eugene, Oregon.4 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher celebrates his win as the Oregon Ducks host the USC Trojans on Nov. 22, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.5 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherFeb 25, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher (LB04) speaks during the NFL Scouting Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images6 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher knocks down a pass by Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza as the Oregon Ducks face the Indiana Hoosiers in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 9, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.7 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherJan 28, 2026; Mobile, AL, USA; National Team linebacker Bryce Boettcher (46) of Oregon practices during National Senior Bowl practice at Hancock Whitney Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vasha Hunt-Imagn Images8 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherNov 8, 2025; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) pressures Iowa Hawkeyes quarterback Mark Gronowski (11) during the second quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images9 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher wrangles Wisconsin running back Gideon Ituka as the Oregon Ducks host the Wisconsin Badgers on Oct. 25, 2025, at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Oregon.10 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherOregon inside linebacker Bryce Boettcher forces a fumble from Texas Tech running back Cameron Dickey as the Oregon Ducks take on the Texas Tech Red Raiders in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1, 2026, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida.11 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherNov 22, 2025; Eugene, Oregon, USA; Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Southern California Trojans during the first half at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images12 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherPenn State Nittany Lions running back Nicholas Singleton (10) is tackled by Oregon Ducks linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) during the second quarter in the 2024 Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium.13 / 13Photos of Indianapolis Colts fourth-round pick in NFL Draft, Bryce BoettcherJan 1, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Oregon Ducks defensive back Jadon Canady (22) reacts with linebacker Bryce Boettcher (28) after an interception by the Ducks against the Texas Tech Red Raiders during the second half of the 2025 Orange Bowl and quarterfinal game of the College Football Playoff at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn ImagesColts draft grade: Oregon LB Bryce Boettcher, B+Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard said at the NFL owner’s meetings that he believed the draft was deep at linebacker, both at the top of the draft and throughout.
Ballard backed it up by taking two linebackers in the first four rounds.
Boettcher, at first glance, seems like another middle linebacker, potentially making him a backup to Allen, but it is unlikely Indianapolis sees it that way, considering that the Colts were willing to take both players in the top four rounds.
While his physical testing numbers were only middle of the pack, Boettcher’s instincts and smarts help him make up for it, and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo is the type of coach who will try to find adjustments for each player.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts take LB Bryce Boettcher in fourth round of 2026 NFL Draft: grade, analysis, stats