ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr.: Anthony Hill Jr., LB, TexasDespite what Bill Tobin’s mailman will tell you, Kiper Jr. has been at this NFL Draft game for a long time for a reason.
Can’t forget former Colts GM Bill Tobin absolutely cooking Mel Kiper on live TV during the ‘94 draft https://t.co/1FAqlfWgKf pic.twitter.com/SgieoaQOES
The ESPN NFL Draft coverage figurehead has the Colts taking Anthony Hill Jr. in Round 2 to shore up the Colts beleaguered Linebacker core that is lacking both starters and depth. Colts get a 3 down Linebacker with a blend of range, downhill thumping, coverage ability, and instincts to be a starter at either WILL or MIKE.
Jordan Reid opts for two popular picks for the Colts. Rodriguez’s coverage skills and punch out for turnovers are atop this talented Linebacker class. He flies all over the field and if he is there at 47 he will be very tempting to take so he can slide at WILL.
Colts Coach Cato June’s Linebackers for the National Team:– Texas Tech Jacob Rodriguez– Pitt Kyle Louis– Oregon Bryce Boettcher– Texas A&M Scooby Williams– TCU Kaleb Elarms-OrrA fun group of playmakers that June has reportedly made a strong impression on (and vice versa) https://t.co/wyYvZc3bxq
Stribling brings a blend of reliable hands, powerful blocking, and strong sustained speed that makes him a threat at a variety of levels at the Z WR spot. Reggie Wayne also worked out with him and coached him up a bit during the Ole Miss Pro Day, which is a good sign of the Colts interest in him. Both have been commonly mocked to the Colts as strong fits.
Dane Brugler has the Colts getting a different LB, the Bearcat Jake Golday. Golday is a larger LB who is a former Defensive Tackle but has surprising athleticism and range with coverage instincts on top of his clear block shedding skills.
Jake Golday was playing WHERE? pic.twitter.com/iCs93RJBvA
Chris Brazzell II is a downfield threat that has a lot of speed and size at the Z spot to take some of the heat off of Alec Pierce on vertical routes as he expands his role in the offense.
Not every analyst is having the Colts take a LB in Round 2. Bleacher Report’s Sobleski has the Colts get a power rusher in Gabe Jacas who has a vicious bull rush and can set a hard edge to help replace the role that Kwity Paye held for the Colts defense.
I'm irrationally in on Gabe Jacas. Hoss. Not twitchy enough to be an elite sack guy but he's a great power rusher with good football IQ and spectacular effort. Gimme gimme gimme. pic.twitter.com/1ysKjO1PE8
He also has a double dip in the Defensive Line with Gracen Halton, a penetrating 3 Technique Defensive Tackle with a quick first step and nice set of finesse moves inside to get interior pressure. The Colts haven’t had back to back first picks in their class go on the defensive line since 2021 with Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo. Colts embrace another strong commitment to their defensive line to try to build the unit back up.
Renner is another expert mocking Golday to the Colts, though he might not make it to the Colts at Round 2. The big surprise though is Caleb Banks falling to Round 3 after his foot injuries and 2025 inconsistent play.
Caleb Banks ➡️ Minnesota VikingsA player-to-team fit that makes a lot of sense. pic.twitter.com/LkKy4Z5MOl
Banks is a highly athletic 1 Technique who has rare length, strength, and burst but is a highly risky pick with his injury history. If he falls to Round 3 he might be worth the risk, but for a Colts team with a GM on the last year of his deal and on the hot seat with limited resources, the risk could be too great.
NFL’s Chad Reuter gives the Colts Stribling in Round 2 instead of Round 3, then get Kyle Louis in Round 3.
Kyle Louis (Pitt) is the kid you are thinking of when you say coverage linebacker. Tape is low-key rare for the LB position. > phasing & jumping leverage> busy eyes> quick triggerMet with at least Steelers for top 30 pic.twitter.com/9Vq0zmXKIv
Louis is another high end coverage LB who would be a great fit at Weakside LB for the Colts with his range, fluidity, zone and man coverage ability. He is a reliable tackler despite his undersized weight, and for a Colts team that has struggled to cover the middle of the field this change at Weakside LB is sorely needed.
Iver gives the Colts their first Corner in these mocks with Arizona State nickel Corner Keith Abney II. Abney is a physical corner with reliable mirroring ability, good press ability, and strong speed to keep up with receivers downfield. He also has clutch ball skills.
ASU CB Keith Abney II is a sticky corner can be deployed in press man or off man, but shows his twitch and fluid transitions allow him to break on passes with ease. Disrupts the catch point well pic.twitter.com/nA5zfpNlyz