INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The Indianapolis Colts continued their defensive overhaul Friday by selecting former Georgia linebacker CJ Allen at No. 53 overall in the NFL draft, ending a long wait to make a selection.
Indy did not have a pick Thursday night because it sent its first-round pick to the New York Jets in a trade deadline deal for two-time All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner. The Colts then traded back six spots to acquire an extra Day 3 pick.
At 6-feet, 230 pounds, the Colts believe Allen can fill the void left by Zaire Franklin, who was traded to Green Bay in March. Franklin topped the 100-tackle mark in each of his four seasons as a full-time starter and ranked among the league leaders with 167, 179 and 173 from 2022-24.
Indy already has lost three starters — defensive end Kwity Paye and safety Nick Cross in free agency, in addition to Franklin, who landed with Green Bay. A fourth starter, former Pro Bowl cornerback Kenny Moore II, has requested a trade.
General manager Chris Ballard beefed up his defensive line by signing ends Arden Key and Michael Clemons and, tackles Derrick Nnadi and Jerry Tillery in free agency. He also acquired defensive tackle Colby Wooden from the Packers.
The Colts also added depth in the secondary by signing safeties Jonathan Owens, Cam Taylor-Britt and Juanyeh Thomas and linebacker Akeem Davis-Gaither in free agency. They've also convinced safety Nasir Adderley to make a comeback after he retired before the 2023 season.
The Colts still have one more pick, a third-round selection, Friday and six more picks Saturday.