Ranking potential impact of Colts 8 draft picks during 2026 NFL season

After identifying roles for each of the Indianapolis Colts' eight draft picks, let's discuss the level of overall impact that each player could have this season.

So from No. 8 to No. 1, let's rank the level of impact we expect each of these Colts' rookies to have in 2026.

8. RB Seth McGowan

McGowan will be competing with DJ Giddens for the RB2 role. Given Giddens' experience, I'll give him the advantage for the time being, which would then make McGowan the third running back on the depth chart.

T6. DE George Gumbs Jr. and DE Caden Curry

My guess is that both players see the bulk of their playing time come on special teams, and that is where their greatest impact will come from.

5. LB Bryce Boettcher

Boettcher should have the opportunity to compete for snaps with Akeem Davis-Gaither, but in the early going, I will again defer to experience, expecting Davis-Gaither to be one of the starters at linebacker. Boettcher, however, could be the first option off the bench.

4. WR Deion Burks

Burks could have the opportunity to carve out a role in the return game, and even if he doesn't beat out Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine for the WR3 role, I could see Shane Steichen wanting to rotate him in on fairly regular basis.

3. OL Jalen Farmer

Farmer could be a backup, or he could end up starting at right guard or possibly even right tackle. GM Chris Ballard believes he can play both positions, potentially creating a competition with either Matt Goncalves or Jalen Travis. If Farmer ends up as a backup, he will likely be first off the bench at a position group that, league-wide, navigates a high attrition rate.

2. S AJ Haulcy

Haulcy will be competing for the starting role next to Cam Bynum. If he can earn those snaps, he brings added versatility and ball skills to the secondary, providing Lou Anarumo with additional flexibility as he builds out his game plans.

1. LB CJ Allen

Allen is the projected starting MIKE linebacker. In this role, he could be the signal caller for the entire defense and will fill a do-it-all role. At what was the Colts' biggest position of need going into the draft, the opportunity to provide a huge impact very much exists.

This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: 2026 NFL draft: Which Colts' rookies will have greatest impact?