Colts GM Chris Ballard said the defense needed to get younger and faster. Second-round pick CJ Allen is both of those at linebacker

The Indianapolis Colts continued their major 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

With their first selection in the 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Georgia linebacker CJ Allen with the 53rd overall pick. The Colts originally traded down with the Steelers from pick 47 before making this selection.

Pat McAfee hypes up Colts' fans as he announces 2nd-round pick CJ Allen

After trading back, the Colts landed one of the cleaner linebacker fits in the draft with CJ Allen at pick No. 53. He is expected to step into Lou Anarumo’s defense next to Akee

With their Day 2 selections, the Indianapolis Colts selected linebacker CJ Allen in the second round and safety AJ Haulcy in the third round. GM Chris Ballard also accumulated some additional draft capital by initially trading down from pick 47.

After a brief wait, the Indianapolis Colts addressed their defense in the second round of Friday’s NFL Draft. The Colts traded back from No. 47 to No. 53 with the Pittsburgh Steelers and selected Georgia linebacker C.

Indianapolis Colts land a 2025 All-American after trading back in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The team adds former Georgia Bulldog linebacker C.J. Allen. So let's grade their pick.