With the 78th pick the Indianapolis Colts have selected LSU safety, AJ Halucy.

No. 78 pick is in: #Colts have selected LSU S AJ Haulcy, per sources. pic.twitter.com/ZYvcql4eWd

Halucy will slide right into a Colts team that already features Cam Bynum and Hunter Wohler set to play major roles at safety in 2026. It stands to reason Halucy will have a chance to compete for the starting strong safety spot vacated by Nick Cross who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency.

Here is what I said about about Halucy in my annual draft leak article:

A.J. Haulcy LSU- N/A RAS at nearly 6’ 215 Haulcy has the size to play in the void left by Nick Cross. He’s a noted playmaker and wood-layer willing to fill against the run and break up passes via violent contact. He’s the kind of guy you love to have on your team and hate on your opponent. Haulcy started his career at New Mexico before transferring to Houston and then on to LSU where he became a first-team All-SEC member in his only season in the conference. Not only is he a violent finisher he intercepted 8 passes total during his junior and senior seasons. He played in 48 career games and his football IQ seems to match that experience. He is noted as having deficiencies in man coverage and his acceleration and long speed are questionable.

As far as Nick Cross replacements go, this is about as good of a direct, one for one replacement you could find. Halucy is another name I wasn’t sure would be available for Indy when they were on the clock, but they find themselves getting great value out of each of their first two picks of the 2026 NFL Draft.