Locked On Colts - Daily Podcast On The Indianapolis Colts - COLTS SQUAD SHOW: Playing FAVORITES | Our Most-Liked Picks from The Colts' Draft Haul and Reactions!

Episode Date: April 27, 2026

We talk about our favorite individual selection from the Colts' 2026 draft haul! Also, the guys debate how many of the Colts' rookies can win starting jobs or playing significant snaps, discuss the concerns that still remain - mainly at second edge rusher - and Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore II's status still being unresolved post-draft. Find and follow Locked On Colts on your favorite podcast platforms: 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-colts/ 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLdpxJspi1hMh5HL7ExpWOQ Give the squad a follow on X/Twitter @Schultz975, @JakeArthurNFL, @ZachHicks2, @allenpinkett, @LockedOnColts, and @ColtsOn_SI, as well on TikTok and Instagram! Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/lockedoncolts Everydayer Club  If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub  Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel.Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COMto get started — Play Your Game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Rugiet Get 15% off your treatment → https://rugiet.com/lockedonnfl Rugiet. Performance medicine for men. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Well, I'm the Colt Squad Show. I'm your host, Derek Schultz, and only three months until training camp, boys. And I'm Zach Hicks, and the Colts certainly got younger and faster in this draft. I'm Jake Arthur, and now that the draft is over, what do we do now? I'm Allen Pinkett, former Euler. And with this hall of draft picks, let's see how many are really a good fit for the Shane Stuyken system. Colts Nation rise up. It's the Colt Squad, everything Indianapolis Colts every week. Covering all the big hits and game changing plays from the Circle City the way only the locked on podcast network can. It's time to squad up. The Colt Squad Joe starts now. Welcome to the Colts Squad show. Thanks so much

for joining us on this Sunday. I'm Derek Shultz, longtime indie sports talker and columnist for the Indianapolis Business Journal. I'm joined by an her name legend and longtime NFL running back Alan Pinkett, along with the dynamic locked on Colts duo of Jake Arthur and Zach Hicksh, your first listen every day. As Jake had mentioned, the draft is finally in the rearview, which besides allowing him and Zach to actually maybe get some sleep, it also allows us to talk about players who are actually Colts, right? Which is always a fun thing to do after weeks and months of speculation on this edition of the

Colts Squad show. We'll share our favorite picks from their 2026 draft haul. which was just recently completed yesterday, five potential starters out of this group or at least five players that are going to battle to be starters or have frontline roles on this team. We'll talk about that in segment number two. The concerns met, the concerns still not address.

And then in segment number four, to tie a bow on this thing, we'll kind of pick up the pieces as far as UDFAs. We'll allow Zach to nerd out as we usually do. I mean, we always allow Zach to nerd out on this show, right? when it comes to the undrafted guys, but also what Chris Bowers said about not trading Anthony Richardson and Kenny Moore, who are still, at least where we said today, Sunday night, April 26th, currently Indianapolis Colts.

But guys, I think there was a lot to like about this draft class and I understand that some folks are rolling their eyes, right? Zach, like, oh, we do this every April, right? Bowers in his bag and then everybody's disappointed in January. But, you know, you can only operate with kind of what you have and the Colts didn't have a first round pick because of the sauce gardener deal. Didn't end up actually with a top 50 pick because of a tradeback, which I think we expected them to do.

But was there one standout player from this draft hall that you said, yep, that's the guy. That's my favorite of this group. Yeah. So I think as the draft nerd on here, Derek, I think I should limit myself not to pick one of the first two. And that's kind of what I'm doing here because if I had to say, I would say my top two guys would be C.J. Allen and A.J. Halsey,

I absolutely love those picks, but I'll let other people tackle those big ones there. But we know how I am on here. I talk offensive linemen all the time. Even though Jalen Farmer wasn't a guy that I was like super, super high on in this draft, I think just giving him to this system and giving him to Tony Sparano Jr. That one does excite me quite a bit. So Jalen Farmer is who I'm going to go with here. The Colts fourth round selection in the Tony Sparano Jr. round of the draft there in round four.

and, you know, I think he's going to come in and be a very competitive player in training camp. You know, he can compete to start at right guard where he started a lot in his college career. But also, I think they were kind of hinting at potentially being a guy that could work at tackle, a guy that could work at backup center who has still a bit of a void right now. And I think the best thing about this selection is it gives the cold six offensive liniment they feel good about, right? Going into this draft, they had five that they felt good about. And they had nobody behind those five that they felt. very good about. So now getting a player like Travis where, let's say, or getting a player like Farmer,

excuse me, let's say that he is the backup, right, to start the season. If Consolvis were to go down, right? You could slide him right in at right guard. If Travis were to go down, you could put Consolvis back out at right tackle and put Farmer in at right guard. And same thing on the other side, right? You have that six guy who could just slide in perfectly and you could still get five guys you feel good about on the field. So this one player changed the perception of their depth on the offensive line. And then just talking about Farmer as a player, big, athletic, physical player. When you watch him in pass protection, he jumps guys a lot. He's physically, like he's just aggressive as his, as a pass blocker. There's still some things that he needs to clean up,

but he does attack players, which Tony Sprono Jr. teaches his guys to do. It's what McDonovus was at his best doing last year as well. So yeah, giving Tony Sparano Jr. a very athletic, physical, like guy with the right mindset that you're looking for. Of course I'm going to love that. It's kind of the same as last year when I had Jalen Travis with a fifth round grade, and they took him in round four. And I was like, you know what? Perfect. Tony Sprono General make it work.

He made it work with Jalen Travis. I think he's going to make it work with another Jalen as well. So Jalen Farmer, if I had a bet on one that's going to be a good player immediately outside of the first two guys, I think Jalen Farmer is going to be that guy for the Colts. Yeah, like the Jalen Farmer pick makes all the sense in the world. He's a guy who's got multi-spot utility for the Colts. You see the plan there. You see Tony Spirano Jr. was really eager to get him.

We saw kind of some clips afterward of him, you know, telling the rest of the guys, draft him and I'll figure out the rest. We'll get something out of him. But for me, I'm going with Dionne Burks, and this really was not one I anticipated being all that high on. When I looked at Berks being like an option for the Colts in like the third or fourth round, I wasn't really that into it. He's 5-9-180. he's a little guy.

He's not, he, you can't just drop him in that same bucket of little guys who were fast and that's all they are. You know, they're either vertical or gadget guys. That's not really his game. But getting him for the value you did at 254, right there at the end of the draft, like dang near undrafted. I think it's incredibly valuable. Arguably one of the steals of the entire draft.

So this is a guy who, again, he is. He's 5-9-180. He's got the speed that you want to see out of a guy like that. And the athleticism, the explosion, that's all there. But what separates him from being like a John Ross or a Corey Coleman, like the very small, undersized fast guys who do nothing, he's got play strength. And I also think he's got the ability to diversify his route tree as well. And I think he's going into a really good situation with Reggie Wayne. So any concerns you may be. be had about this guy. I think he's going into a very good situation where he doesn't have to be thrust into a significant role necessarily right away. He can grow into a decent role. But he's going to be in a mixture there with the Colts, with that Z receiver spot, him and Ashton Doolin and, you know, LaQuan Treadwell and Josh Downs.

They're all going to kind of absorb more bits and pieces of this receiver court that are left behind by Michael Pitman Jr. and Ad. Mitchell. And I think he's really going to threaten Anthony Gould because they're going to try and get him involved in the kick return game as well. Like, he used to be involved when he was at Purdue. So I think his play strength is something that's a bit of an X factor. The smaller guys don't normally have the, I don't want to say stout, but he's just, he's got good balance through contact and things like that because he's, he's more powerful than the normal little guy is. I think if he is able to do more than just like the crossers and, you know, the corner routes and things like that,

if he can broaden that over his first couple years, then you'll get more into him being like a T.Y. Hilton type versus, again, one of those little guys that just falls flat because they have nothing else to hang their hat on other than I'm fast and I run downfield. I do see more in his game than that. So I'm a big fan of that move. I do wish they would have addressed receiver a little earlier. Like there was a couple, there was a couple picks they made that are hard pills for me to swallow because of what they left behind. Like Bryce Betcher going over Kyle Lewis,

for example, who Kyle Lewis is like my favorite player in the draft. But you have to realize what the Colts vision was. I don't think they would view those two in the same role. and then the same with with with with with burks here at the end like skyler bell i would have really really like skyler bell probably around again the fourth round or so but he winds up going in the fifth round i don't know maybe like 50 picks later than a lot of us would have anticipated so um you still just got a role with what they went with uh jeline farmer is is that guy they would have really liked in that spot over where they would have taken skyra bell so again you get all the way to

the end of the draft and you assume, all right, they're going to have to try and sign a receiver and free agency and figure this out, which they still could do. But getting a guy like Berks with the potential and like what he has already shown, I do feel a little bit better about receiver with them being able to kind of stop the need a little bit with someone at the very end of the draft. All right. So I would, before I disclose my favorite pick, I wanted to comment. I wanted to comment on the two guys that you picked, starting with Dionne Burks. And I'm going to test your football knowledge. But when I watch him run routes, he reminds me so much of a guy I played with named Drew Hill. I don't know if y'all remember Drew Hill, but he's about the same size.

But Drew was just so dynamic at running routes and very, very strong hands. And and was very dependable. Of course, we had that run and shoot. So most of our receivers were small. We had one big receiver, Haywood Jeffries. But I used to call the receivers pencil necks because they were so small. But they were fast. And this guy, Dionne Burks, I like the fact that he ran a 4-3-1-40 at the combine.

I also like the fact that he put up two. 25, 26 times. I think I either put it up 22 or 22 or 23 times, you know, so dude is stronger to stronger than me, you know, but I like what I see when he, when he runs his route. He just looks so under control when he's running his routes. It doesn't look like he's really straining, but he's flying. So I do like that pick. The thing I like about Jalen Farmer is the fact that he's a better run blocker

than he is a pass blocker. And I guess you guys recall me saying that I hope that when they go get an offensive lineman that they get one that's going to be a better run blocker because I think Daniel Jones will make these guys be better pass blockers because of how fast he gets the ball out. So I wasn't concerned with getting a great pass blocker.

But when it's time to run the ball, I do like that heavy dude that can go and knock somebody out across the line of scrimmage. And I guess, you know, thank you, by the way, for giving me that draft tracker that I was able to watch. and I guess the guy who wrote the commentaries on that draft tracker was Lance Zerline. I actually know Lance Zerline. Remember when I was in Houston, he worked for a local radio station. And reading his comments only made me appreciate you two guys even more about all the depth that you have to go into when you're writing your stuff. So, congrats on writing that. I know that was a hell of an effort.

But now I can finally get to who I liked in the draft or their draft. And I have to say A.J. Halsey. And the reason I like him, he was characterized as a throwback safety. But when I watch the tape, he reminds me of a bigger Bob Sanders, you know, or a smaller Steve Atwater. And the Steve Atwater are the physical traits that he has. He's not afraid to come up and hit you. And Bob Sanders, to me, I remember watching him.

He was just so cagey. He was always in the right place. He was Palomalu before Palomalu was. And so he reminds me, of that guy. You know, he's both a ballhawk and an enforcer, according to Lance Surline. But I also like the fact that you're getting a guy who played the SEC,

and although our national champion didn't come from the SEC, week in, week out, those guys are playing NFL talent. You know, all they're doing is beating each other up. You know, so I don't think he would be, afraid in the least making the move to the NFL because he's used to covering, you know, great athletes in the SEC. So he should have high confidence coming in here. And I also think that in a Lou Anarumo defense, he does a lot more with his safeties than he does with the linebacker. I think linebackers, he wants them, you know, to sort of be in charge, but they don't have to be

dynamic playmakers. I see A.J. Halsey is a guy who can be very active defending the run, using them on various blitzes, and being a great person in the defensive secondary to sort of be an enforcer. So I really like that pick with A.J. Halsey. Well, man, I mean, if no one is going to take C.J. Allen, then twist my arm a little bit here. I got. I understand what you said, Zach about it, right? It's easier to, I think, talk about the first pick off the board for the Colts. But I just sort of like that, just like Tyler Warren or like when they drafted Ryan Kelly all those years ago, you just do it. And then you, you know, set it and forget it, right?

Plug and play. And that's what they can do here with Allen. And then we, we don't have to worry about it. We don't have to talk about these like low level free agent signies and, and talk ourselves into them. right. Like C.J. Allen fits what the Colts need. He's, you know, Green Dog, talkative leader. He largely backed up that talk in Athens where he had just a fantastic final season there. I understand with the injury and things like that. And maybe that's a reason, part of the reason that he fell or, you know, past coverage. Like all these guys have holes in their games, right? But a lot of the draft Knicks seem to feel,

including you guys, that he was a top 30 level talent. And you get him at 53. After trading back, and adding a four. I think that has to be added into it as well. You know, not only do you get a player of Allen's caliber, but you do so by also adding another pick in the process. And I love that move. There were other things that I liked about the draft class, but if you're asking me what I loved about it, it was that. Yeah, I mean, let me be honest here. I pick Jaylen Farmer for the sake of this discussion. So we each had someone different. It's CJ Allen for me as well. I've watched so much of his filmed the last couple of days.

Outstanding player. I think he's an awesome football player. My type of linebacker, Bryce Betcher is more of Jake's type of linebacker. Kyle Lewis is more of Jake's type of linebacker. C.J. Allen is my kind of linebacker. He defends the run at a high level. The patience you're looking for. I'm so excited for him. So hopefully I can talk about him more later on in this show.

But I'm glad that Derek was able to speak on him there. You know, I also like the fact that he was a captain. So he's already a leader. coming in having to assume a leadership role, which he should be able to do. Yeah, but the Colts leaned heavily into leadership in this one, which I think was intentional. Like, I asked Chris Ballard about that, and he said it just worked out that way, but I don't know, because, like, you, you kind of lost some leadership this offseason with Michael Clinton, even Tyquins, like, there was a lot of guys who were prominent voices in that locker

room who are no longer there. So a lot of these got like C.J. Allen, known for being a great leader, AJ Halsey, same thing, Bryce Petcher, same thing. Like they invested a lot in team captains and guys who are on like leadership councils and stuff like that on their team. So I think that was pretty intentional on their part because you do need a locker room that police itself and holds everybody accountable and things like that. So I do think that's something they definitely are going for.

How many of these rookies can step into starter roles or at the very least significant snaps right from the get-go? We're going to talk about that when the cold squad show returns next. This portion of the cold squad show brought you by Ruggiet. The NFL draft is here where preparation meets opportunity and every decision matters. It's all about being ready when your moment comes. And that's mindset is what applies off the field too. And that's where Ruggiet comes in. Ruggiet offers treatment designed to help you feel ready and confident when it

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and get 15% off your ED treatment. That's Ruggiet.com slash locked on NFL. R-U-G-I-E-T dot com slash locked on NFL for 15% off. Bruget, Performance Medicine for Men. And we're back on the locked on Colts squad show. Former NFLer Alan Pinkett is here. Zach Hicks is here.

Jake Arthur, I swear, is here. I know he's having a mic problem there. And we'll come back and get Jake back on the show here a little bit as we are recapping the Colts draft class from three days in Pittsburgh, adding some new players. Now the question is, and there are some obvious ones here, Zach. You know, we had just mentioned one in C.J. Allen. I think you say the same thing, Alan, about Halsey being the second safety, right? So those two guys that you envision as being day one starters, but you look around the rest of this group,

you know, could Betcher get in for the second linebacker spot? Could Farmer pass Gonzalez or, you know, or at least play significant snaps at some point because of that critical role? Because we know that offensive linemen get hurt all the time, right? You know, you have to prepare for something like that or even, and I'm probably reaching a little bit here, Zach, you know, Dionne Brooks, at the very least, getting snaps as, as the Z or either of these rookies as edge two may be working their way into the rotation. What do you think in there with some of these new names and bodies at these positions? Yeah, I think every player they drafted is going to have a chance to fight for a role in this next season, like in terms of like a role

on offense or defense. But I do think, like you said, Derek, four to five guys might have a chance to earn starting roles or like semi-starting roles, right? So to go into detail with that, C.J. Allen and AJ Halsey are going to be starters for this team this next season. It would be a major disappointment if A.J. Halsey's not starting at strong safety. Because like, who's beating him out, right?

Hunter Woller, who is more of a dime linebacker than a strong safety or some of these other guys they have in that room, like probably not. Halsey is going to slide in as you're starting strong safety. They've already basically said C.J. Allen is going to be their Mike linebacker. They said he's going to be our green dot from day one and be good to go. But then looking at the other three guys on day three of the draft, you know, Jalen Farmer, I think, is going to be in that three-man battle for the two guys, the two spots on the offensive line.

Right tackle and right guard. It's going to be those three guys competing to see who the best two are and how they can get those guys on the field. Now, I think it's going to be Gonsolvis and Jailen. Travis, but I do think that those guys are going to, you know, have that competition and training camp. When you look at Dionne Burks, like you mentioned there, Derek, I think he's going to be in that battle for the starting outside Z and 11 personnel. So it's a very specific starting role that we're talking here because I do think from everything the Colts have said recently, when they're in

12 personnel, it's going to be Josh Downs out there at that Z wide receiver spot. I've already kind of penciled him in as the starting Z wide receiver. in those 12 personnel looks. But when they go to 11 personnel, you know, Ashton Doolin, does he get out there? Nick Westbrook Aquina, Laquan Treadwell maybe gets in there. And then you have Dian Perks competing for that spot. So, you know, it's not the biggest role in the world.

I mean, they do play a lot of 11 personnel, but Doolin's going to get his snaps. And we'll see if Berks can also get his snaps in there. But he's going to be competing for that. And then Bryce Vetter, you know, I don't think he's a Mike linebacker in this league, but he can compete for a Will linebacker spot. And I think that's going to be a really interesting competition between him and Akeem Davis Gather. And even if he doesn't win that role, being the third linebacker in a league where linebackers are playing so many snaps.

Like there's going to be some nicks and bruises. You're going to get on the field. Look at how many guys the Colts rotated through as that third or fourth linebacker last year. I mean, also Nijika had over 200 snaps last season. Joe Botcha, I know he started early last year, but he was getting a bunch of snaps early in the season. So, yeah, I think that we're going to see Betcha. regardless of what role he wins, we're going to see him on defense at times next season. But he's going to have a chance to compete for a starting job.

So, yeah, when you look at this draft class, like two guys are going to be day one starters. And upwards of three could be out there. Three more could be out there as well. But it's going to be good competition for a couple of those spots in training camp. Yeah, sorry. We're just having some audio issues there with Jake's Mike sign-up about one. Alan, you go ahead. Yeah, as I always say, technology is a lot.

wonderful thing when it works. But anyway, I would venture to say every single one of these draft picks will have an opportunity to make this team. You know, a long time ago when I played, it was usually, if you got drafted past the fourth round, you maybe, maybe had a shot. It was more of like a 30% shot of making the team. But because there's only seven rounds, I think these guys. have a shot. And I got to tell you, there's a guy that sort of sticks out to me of making the team.

And that's the running back, Seth McGowan. And, you know, the one thing I just want to say about him, I think it's just a great story because he's a guy who went to Oklahoma and gotten a little trouble, got arrested, but, you know, has paid his debt, spent some time in prison. and, you know, sometimes bad things happen to good people, but I just like the perseverance that he's had to come back, you know, going to a couple different schools and fighting and clawing his way back. And I think from a personnel standpoint,

he sort of fills that role that I've wanted the Colts to have of being a big bruising back, you know, sitting at 6 feet, 223 pounds. You know, and I don't necessarily think that you need a big back for short yardage. You need a big back for a change of pace because all you need is an open hole. You don't need a big back to go through an open hole on third and one, fourth in one. But I think from a diversity standpoint of having a bruising back and having a shifty back, that's what you want to have because, you know, that's the type of, you know, you create on defense when you have linebackers that that choose pursuit angles to go get these

running backs and when you switch up the running back it sort of screws up you know how they're going to pursue that other back that comes in and it just so happens oh that running back might be a little bit slower but he'd knock you on your ass because he got some lead in his in his hind parts You know, so when I look through a Bryce, uh, uh, Bajer, Betcher, Betcher, thank you. All right. I see him as a standout special teams player. And, you know, I know the Colts are serious about special teams. You cannot have enough of those guys on special teams.

So I think he, he starts on special teams. If you could call that, I know you have starters on offense and defense, but I see, better as a starter, especially, you know, watching them at Oregon. And I think he's ideal for the NFL just because of his will, you know, because of his, you know, overcoming odds. And I think that that sort of permeates through, you know, most of the draft picks that I see on here. In regards to starting, it could be four or five guys that I would see starting. But definitely C.J. Allen, A.J. Halsey. You know, I think like you guys, when I saw Dionne Burks being drafted,

I'm like, okay, well, he's going to move over to the spot that Josh Downs took, and they're going to move Josh Downs outside. So you can't coach speed, and I think he's one of those guys that he was a fifth-year player, So it's not like you're getting a dude who just got done with puberty. You know, he does have some experience as a fifth-year player. So he's coming in the league kind of old. And that maturity helps, you know, when you're playing in this game in terms of understanding coverages, learning the route tree, you know, just, I guess one of the things that Indiana figured out is,

and I had this told to me because Notre Dame had their legacy weekend this weekend, so I got to see all my former players. But they said the thing that Signetti figured out was a 25-year-old three-star player will beat the heck out an 18-year-old five-star player. And so I look at Dionne Burks as having some age on him where I think he can come in, step in, and compete right away. Yeah, no, for sure. One thing I want to say real quick about the running back battle,

I don't care how these guys carry the football. Sit both of them down and say, hey, running back two will be decided about how you pass block. That's the only thing you're working on this whole off season. If you can't pass block, you're not making our team. So that's the only thing you need to work on. So I don't care if you fumble 20 times in the off season, I don't care if you are breaking off 100-yard runs

because the only reason you're getting out there instead of Jonathan Taylor is if you could pass block better than him. So show me that you can do that. So whatever you want to say about these two running backs competing for RB2, just show me someone who can pass block. And then you'll get on the field. That's the only thing that matters to these guys because you're not touching the football when you get out there. Jonathan Taylor's touching the football when they get out there.

You're getting out there just to put your nose in a linebacker's chest and put them on the ground. What's the saying? No block, no rock. Right, right. They're not getting the rock regardless. So just pass block. That's the whole thing you're getting. No block, no nothing.

Right. I do think that, you know, this conversation as excited as I am that you have this rookie class and you're like, yeah, like, I could see this person playing here and this person really helping out there. You know, kind of the flip side of that coin is that doesn't it also shows that how many holes this roster really had that we're having these conversations, right? I mean, you know, the Colts without a top 50 pick and we're saying, yeah, we think as many as four guys can be starters on this team. it kind of shows the state of things, right, for where this roster was left going into this draft. Yeah, and we haven't talked about edge rusher at all right now, right? I mean, they drafted two guys on day three. And I mean, outside of Jalen two and a low-wow,

like who's going to be the starter alongside Al-Tu-Latu. That's the biggest question on this roster right now. And I know it's kind of a segue into our next segment, Derek, so I won't go too crazy into it. But it's like, yeah, like, I think we're going to feel a little disappointed after this draft, no matter what because we can sit here and say like, yeah, linebacker looks great right now. I feel really good about linebacker.

I feel very good about the safety room right now, right? Because they drafted those too early, but because they had so many needs that couldn't fill all of those on day two, so there still are a couple needs that we don't feel very comfortable about. So yeah, I mean, I love the linebacker additions. I love, but like unless they were somehow going to get like four or five day two picks, they weren't going to fill all these needs. in this draft.

Well, go ahead, Alan. Yeah, I was just going to say that two years ago on eight and nine, you got to shake some stuff up, you know. And so I think these guys have a legitimate shot at starting because you've had experience there and lost nine games, you know, so, you know, new blood, new leadership, and maybe that can be the thing that turns them around. There were concerns addressed.

there are several concerns that we still have on this panel, and we're going to get into that. We'll talk about both of them, in fact, when the Colt Squad Show returns next. This portion of the Cold Squad Show brought you by our friends at Indeed, workplace chaos, deadlines, stacking up, inbox overflowing, and the one person you have to fill is still sitting open when the pressure is on and you need the right hire.

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move things around Wednesday, and then, you know, being able to put together sort of a true recap squad show of the draft class on Sunday. So I appreciate you being here. We've got a lively comment room as we usually do, but lots to discuss. And thanks so much for making us a part of your day and locked on Colts every day for your everydayers out there. Speaking of the everydayer club. Don't forget about that. You want to take advantage of that for ad-free episodes and access to a group chat with Jake, Zach, and other listeners of Lockdown

Colts. Tap the link in the show notes or go to Locked-onpodcast.com slash everyday club. So, Zach, you sort of alluded to it. Some needs address, linebacker in particular address, but two big ones and at premium

positions, you still really don't have any clarity. You got more bodies, but you don't really have any clarity. two. And look, I really liked Dionne Burks. I think he's probably underrated as a seventh round pick, probably more like a round five type guy. But is, is that really your solution for outside receiver and an undersized guy like that? You know, I know he's athletic fast and all of that, but, you know, that doesn't strike me. Whereas, you know, we talked about there was a potential of them taking, even with their first pick, a wide receiver that could come in and play right away

and fulfill that role. And now you still sort of have that open as well. And Alan, I know you had mentioned, you know, moving some things around and down here. I just worry about the Colts weakening multiple spots if they tried to get kind of too cute about doing that. It just there doesn't strike me a real good option for the Colts at OutRine receiver or second edge with where we sit today, Zach. Yeah, when it comes to wide receiver, I'm not like horribly concerned there. Like, obviously you'd love to have a better player more. suited for that Z wide receiver spot on the outside.

But most of their offense is going to roll through Jonathan Taylor, Josh Downs when he's in the slot, Tyler Warren. And of course, you're not your brand new, but your expensive shiny toy and Alec Pierce on the outside, right? So we're talking about that Z receiver being of, you know, a three, four target, a game guy at best, right? Like it's not going to be someone heavily involved in the offense. So I'm not terribly concerned there.

Like if they can't add somebody else there, I think they can get by this season. Shane Steichen's shown that he can make a lot of things work. I mean, very limited player in Michael Pittman, Jr. He was able to squeeze a lot of juice out of him. I'm not saying Pittman's a bad player by any means, but he was able to squeeze a lot of production out of him last season. So I think they'll be fine at wide receiver, but yeah, edge rusher, certainly concerning.

You guys heard me on here and also on the daily show, talking a lot about how I was not a fan of double dipping at edge on day three or even taking edge rushers on day three because odds are they're not going to contribute on defense at all in their career when you take an edge rusher there. It's just, it's a position that requires so much development and so much playing time and you're not going to get the grace needed to develop on the field as a day three edge rusher. And it's why we rarely see these guys work out. So I'm hoping that George Gumbs Jr. can figure it out, right? He's got a lot of potential. I'm hoping Caden Curry can bring the energy and hustle to the NFL and be a good

defender as well, but I'm worried about how many cooks are in the kitchen right now with edge, right? Because let's say that, because they still have money, right? They can go out and sign an edge rusher, right? But you're probably got to cut one of these guys then, right? You're not going to go into the season with like seven defensive ends, right, that can only play defensive end. And, you know, maybe in another world, you can move JT to a lowout down to play like three tech. But all their defensive tackles are three tech, right? So you can't put him in there at three tech. So pretty much every edge rush you have is going to be exclusively on the edge. So currently on the roster, we're looking at Lottu.

Jalen, too and Malo. I know I said JT there again accidentally, but Jalen to and Maloowal, we're looking at Michael Clemens, Arden Key, Caden Curry, and George Gumbs, Jr. That's six guys already, right? So you're either going to carry seven into the season if you signed a veteran and probably scratch the two rookies, or you carry six in, and then there's six of the guys they currently have, which we don't think is good enough right now.

So yeah, I'm a little concerned about edge. Like if they took one edge rusher, I could have been like, okay, cool, they're going to go sign a veteran on the open market. But as of right now, I'm like, they kind of have a lot of people already in that room. I don't feel great about the room, but I don't know what they're going to do with edge rusher.

So I'm very concerned about Ed right now. And we'll see there's still plenty of time. They still have a lot of money. They still have some moving to do on the roster. So it's not complete panic time. Like I'm not going to sit here and panic all the way up until training camp. But I will say as up right now, I'm a little bit concerned when it comes to edge rusher. I share your concern at Edge.

And Derek, I agree with you. Got a lot of bodies in there. But how many players do you really have? And you really need players. But, you know, the feeling that I get is they're still going to go out and find an experience. experienced edge rusher, you know, because having a bunch of bodies in there, especially at edge, which is more specialty. Teams aren't throwing every, every down, you know, the reason we wanted edge is to have a pass rush. Well, what are you going to do with a team that runs a ball a bunch

of times? You know, now you're going to get exploited because you got an edge guy sitting over there that can't run defend. So I still think that they're going to go and find an experienced edge rusher with some of that cap money that they have left. Felt a little better in the wide receiver department. You know, they still got a couple undrafted. But if they're undrafted, it's for a reason, you know, in terms of the talent you need. And then contemporary NFL football nowadays,

it sort of favors the taller wide receivers, although, you know, my ass is short. So I'm happy to see any short guys in the NFL have success. So I'm going to be cheering hard for Dionne Burks. But, you know, there was that run on receivers. I think it started in the second round where a bunch of, I think like 12 receivers just came off. the board right away. And I was thinking, oh, are the Colts going to get caught up in that?

Or are they going to stay true to what their needs were? And they did stay true to what their needs were. And I was a little disappointed when I saw Malachi Fields go to the Giants. Because I thought, you know, his comp was Michael Pittman, Jr. And that was a spot where they could have gone and got him and have Malachi Fields here. But I'm happy with Dionne Burks. But to sum it all up, lots of bodies, not in my opinion a lot of players. Anywhere else that there are any concerns, you feel okay about the rest of it, guys, you know, depth-wise, maybe.

You know, edges, I think, the most obvious one. but anything else that still feels, with the caveat, as Alan, as you mentioned, there are still potentially moves to be made, and especially when we forecast out right after team cutdowns and things like that, there are always some moving and shaking involved there. Yeah, I think when I look at the roster, I would have liked a backup center at some point, at least an undrafted free agency. I don't think they've currently signed one, although Jimmy Morrissey, who came out a couple

years out of Pittsburgh is currently their backup center. I thought he was a good prospect a couple years ago, so maybe I should hang my hat on that. At least, he's an athletic player at least. So we'll see how he looks in training camp. And I'm curious to see if Farmer does get some snapping in training camp too, because that will like lessen my concern there a little bit. Looking at some other positions, corner depth because they're making, because, you know, they're making that move with Justin Waller to be in the slot. Like, I'm a little bit concerned about outside corner. Now, I know they like a lot of those guys probably a little bit more than I do. And I'm still hoping that Jonathan Edwards can take that step, but I wouldn't really bet on that.

So, yeah, I think that outside corner, I could probably say that I need a little bit more help. And then one tech defensive tackle was one I really wanted them to address in the draft. Like, just get me a 320, 330 pound guy. You know, I'm always begging for it every single draft season. And they did sign a guy an undrafted free agency in Cam Ball, who will talk about a little bit more, I think, in the next segment that I'm really intrigued by. But I wanted more of competition for Derek Nottie because I don't want him on the football team, not because I hate Derek Nottie as a person.

I really hope for the best for him as a person. But as a player, I'm more of a hater there. So I do like Cameron Ball a good bit, though. So we'll see if that one kind of fills it out. But, yeah, I mean, the rest of it I think you can live with. It's just the edge rusher is really the big one for me. And I would say the same that edge rusher sort of sticks out. I'm happy with what they did at linebacker.

I think that you've got an unquestioned starter. Now let's make sure we have some depth. But I think that the linebacker position has been taken care of just because linebacker's not that important in a room and a defense. You know, you just need an adequate run stopper, but you need somebody more so in the secondary and can cover and is going to be dependable. And those are the traits that C.J. Allen has. I was happy at defensive back. Happy with offensive line.

You know, I'm glad that they went and got somebody in the fourth round, a stud offensive lineman. because let's face it, a lot of those undrafted guys are going to be at best practice squad. You know, they're not going to play in any games, you know, because, you know, a first round offensive lineman compared to an undrafted offensive lineman, that's a huge, huge gap. And if you can get, you know, more draftees as linemen, I would feel much better about the officer. offensive line and filling it with undrafted players. But for the most part, I'm happy with it. Yeah, I think they did a decent job filling out some of the depth, but I still think much still remains to be seen as far as, you know,

what these guys can produce as front line players, not only some of the free agent acquisitions, but some of these rookies that were already projecting into either starting rules or major roles. but when we come back, one thing that was left unresolved, it's pretty glaring, and you might have forgotten about it when watching the coverage in Pittsburgh. I'll tell you what that is when we return next. And we're back on the Locked on Colts Squad Show.

Appreciate you joining us, making us a part of your Sundays. Zach Hicks this year, half of the Locked on Colts Daily Duo for you every dayers, Alan Pinkett, former NFLer, and Notre Dame legend. I'm Derek Schultz. So as I mentioned, and even I fell into this trap, I didn't really think of it. And then, you know, Saturday evening rolled around. I was like, wait a minute. I was expecting Anthony Richardson to get traded.

That didn't happen. I was also thinking Kenny Moore the second might get traded. That didn't happen either. And here we are on Sunday night and both of those situations are still unresolved. Chris Bower was asked about exactly that and kept it pretty short and sweet. He almost gave a no comment more than anything else. He said, quote, it's the same as it was. Yeah, nothing's really changed.

So, you know, here we are two guys that probably are going to continue to not be with the team during workouts and things like that and are still standing on their trade requests. And, you know, I still do think that the Colts are doing everything that they can. I don't think they just, you know, forgot about it. I'm sure they made some phone calls. And I'm sure that was part of some of the discussions. But, you know, Zach probably shows also just sort of where those guys are on the open market. you know, Kenny Moore, the second, no offense, a really nice player, but a 31-year-old slot corner. And then Anthony Richardson, just because, you know, the track record, say what you want about his age and his potential and his athleticism and all of that.

There's a lot to fix for any team that was willing to sign up to take that on. Yeah, I mean, they kind of hurt themselves with the Kenny Moore one because they released it so late in the process, right? Teams are already feeling, like, pretty good about their rosters or at least they know. know where their holes were going into the draft. Now all of a sudden, like, oh, Kenny Moore's available. It's like, well, let's see what we get in the draft. And we're not going to trade during the draft because we've got to see what we can get in the draft.

And then we're going to, you know, the comp pick formula. I think tomorrow at 4 o'clock is when you can start signing free agents and them not affect the comp pick formula. So instead of trading a pick for Kenny Moore, go sign a free agent corner that you've been waiting on all offseason. So it was a really weird timing to say that he's on the trade block. And I don't know if they're going to get anything for. him. So we'll see with that one. Richardson, look, I know you don't want to give him away,

but he can't be on this team come training camp because they're going to have Riley Leonard get the backup snaps. And I don't even know if he's going to show up to training camp at this point. And I'm not even trying to say that to disparage his character or anything like that. It's just it's very clear he doesn't want to be here. It's clear the Colts are trying to move him. So like they got to move him at some point, right? It's got to be done by training camp because he wouldn't even be the backup for them right now. they're going to have Riley Leonard as a backup. And Shane,

whenever Shane Stuyken has asked a question about the quarterback room, he doesn't even talk about Richardson. He talks about Leonard being the backup and getting all the snaps in OTAs and in training camps. So he's not in the plans whatsoever. They're going to have to find some way to move on from him. Like Kenny, Kenny's going to get cut or he's going to get traded, whatever it's going to be,

probably going to get cut at some point. But when it comes to Richardson, like, find your trade. I mean, again, it can be a pick swap. Just like, there has to be something. Yeah, there has to be a separation here because he's not in the plans and you can't just have him be your QB3 when he doesn't even want to be here, you know? So, like, yeah, like, let's just move on and and do your thing and get ready for the next season. You know, I think one of the things that a lot of teams took into the evaluation of Anthony Richardson is, is he better than the guys that we can pick up in the draft right now?

You know, and so I think his value is low. And sometimes, you know, these other teams know that you have to make a move. And so they're going to hold on to whatever draft capital they have because they're trying to give away as little as possible for what they might consider a project. I mean, Anthony Richardson's not going to go someplace and start. you know, at best, he's probably, you know, with the damage that's been done, go and compete for a backup job, which is unfortunate to say, knowing that he was, what, the fourth pick in the draft,

but has gone downhill that much, but it also speaks to the need for a top-rated quarterback. And the quarterback position busts more. in the NFL than any other position. You know, so I guess at this point, they would have to either get a pick for next year or just be watching all the teams. Somebody's going to get injured, and they're going to need a competent backup.

And that might be where they can do a trade. As far as Kenny Moore goes, you know, 31. is not old, but in the NFL, you know, it unfortunately is. But different positions, it's definitely 31 is old for running back. 31 is not old for offensive line or defensive line. Now, 31 might be old for a corner, but I don't know if 31 is old for safety. But the infusion of youth that you're bringing in. And unfortunately, you know, the fact that Kenny Morris played so long and makes so much money, he may have priced himself out of having to not take a pay cut. He's probably going to have to take a pay cut wherever he goes, which is unfortunate. I don't agree

with it, you know, because if you had an attorney, yeah, I've been on the soapbox far too often. had an attorney who was doing an adequate job and was bringing money into the firm, what are they going to say, oh, we're going to cut your salary. Even though you're bringing money into the firm, we're going to cut your salary because you're a little older now and we want to bring in some young whippersnapper. So that's my own personal great that sometimes you get penalized because you're very good, but you get paid too much. So I got my own issues with that.

Yeah, I highlighted this comment from jokes just because we love jokes. We love everybody that's in our comment section. I've heard this from people, you know, not only, you know, why not, hey, what the heck, why not just keep him around? Why not, you know, he knows the system, right? He's been here for a couple of years. You know, you got Jones coming off in Achilles. Why not just keep him around?

It's just kind of one of those situations where it's just, it's not fair to anybody to keep this thing going. Like it's it's over. It's been over for a long time, probably more over than the Colts have said publicly because they, and Richardson too, because they don't want to, you know, harm their own value on either side. And so at that point, once it's over, you're just going to have to move on, even if it's a cut. And, and I just think it would be very disappointing to just have to, you know, straight cut them, you know, even a pick swap would be saving face at some point here. but it's just you can't kind of continue with with where it is right now they reached the breaking point on both sides it's only fair to Richardson to allow him to go elsewhere it's only fair for the Colts to just get this weight off their shoulders and for everybody to just sort of to move on but Zach let's move on ourselves I'll be honest I was out today literally baseball for a nine year old and was busy Saturday night as well so I didn't see this like the rush of the UDFA list come in but um Any of those names, I know you did, jump out to you and guys that you think,

you know, not only can make the roster, but maybe eventually play into some sort of a role on this team, maybe even as early as 2026. Yeah, no, it's funny. Last night I put out my tweet or whatever saying, like, I'm logging off for the night, I'm relaxing the rest of the night, like, we're going to call it a night. And then I was like, I'm so curious about the undrafted free agents, though. So I kept logging back on and seeing them. And I couldn't fully say away because I get just so intrigued.

by the undrafted free agency stuff of it all. So when I looked at the Colts undrafted free agent class, I actually didn't expect it to be as big a class. So they're going to have to cut a lot of guys here soon because they're probably close to like 100 players currently. If they were to sign their entire draft class, you're only supposed to have 90. So they will start cutting some of the futures contract guys,

obviously, to make room for these undrafted free agents here in the next couple of days. But there were five guys that really stood out to me for varying reasons. First one, I have three guys here at the course. Colts signed that I actually had draftable grades on. I thought it could have been drafted guys. Nolan Rucci, the offensive tackle from Penn State. I had a fifth round grade on him. Actually compared him in the Indy draft guy to Luke Tanuda,

who is on the Colts roster as one of their depth offensive tackles. So clearly that was a high fit for this team. Like he was a guy that they liked because they brought him in. They liked that archetype of player. Big player, kind of the shorter arm archetype, but a guy that can reach blocks at the second level. and I think he plays with a certain edge that you're looking for. I really like him as a potential swing offensive tackle,

so I'm excited to see what he can do in training camp. Cameron Ball, who I mentioned earlier, defensive tackle from Arkansas, dealt with some injuries in college, and I think that's why he went undrafted. But was a team captain this past year at Arkansas, beloved player in that locker room, very explosive, gap shooting, one tech, 320 pounds as well.

So I was a big fan of Cam Ball throughout the process. And then West Week, the linebacker from LSU, a guy who can come in here and compete for some special teams reps, played with his brother at LSU, which I thought was kind of cool. I think they were both linebackers there, West and Whitweeks.

I saw some people saying they signed Whitweeks, but I think it's actually West Weeks is the one that they signed. But yeah, I think he's got some talent to play special teams in the NFL. And then two more guys who I didn't really get a chance to watch in the pre-draft process, but they caught my eye. The first one is Austin Brown, the safety from Wisconsin. One, we know Chris Ballard loves signing Wisconsin players. because that's his alma mater.

So you always knew there was going to be somebody from Wisconsin brought in here. But I think they gave him like $250,000, which up until about three to four years ago, the Colts never really went over $100,000 when it came to undrafted free agents. And then Ballard made a shift to start paying a little bit more for their high priority guys. It started with Ryan Vandemark a couple years ago. And then like last year, Jonathan Edwards made like $280,000, I think $280,000. So usually with the NFL, follow the money. If a guy is getting paid $250,000 guaranteed and undrafted free agency,

that means they view you at worst as like a practice squad guy. Like there is a view that this guy can compete for a roster spot. So I know that he is their 11th safety currently on the roster, but he's going to have a chance to compete to make this team. And at worst, be a special teamer because, again, follow that money when it comes to NFL players. And then one more guy here for Allen, Jordan Vaughn, I believe it was from Abilene Christian,

the college he comes from. Really cool profile, 6 foot, like 230 pounds, ran a 4-4. I have not watched a lick of his film because Abilene Christian just didn't pop up my radar. It was not in my library of film to watch. But if you just told me a guy was 6 foot 230 and he played running back and he ran a 4-4, I'm all about it. So I'm curious to see what he has. I remember a couple years ago falling in love with Xavier Scott.

who was a running back out of Maine that the Colts signed. And he ended up being, you know, he didn't make the Colts, but he ended up making some other team, like the Minnesota Vikings. And he's been a rostered guy in the league for a couple years now. So, you know, sometimes these small school guys just need a shot. And I'm excited to see what Vaughn can bring in training camp. And heck, look, man, if you can bring your 230 pounds to pass block

and you can just drive some linebackers in the ground, you can make this team. Amir Abdul made it at like 32 years old last year. So come in here and block your butt off. and maybe you can make the team. So those are the five guys I'm excited about, but especially Nolan Rucci and a little bit of trivia. I think I had it here.

Let me see if I can find it real quick. His grandfather played for the Baltimore Colts back in the day. I have it here. It's in my notes. Grandfather Thomas Gilberg played for the Baltimore Colts back in the day. So a little bit of indie trivia there, you know, a little bit of the family keeping it there with the Colts. So Nolan Rucci, I hope he can make the team.

He's a guy I really did like in the pre-draft process. Well, you already blew my mind because I forgot that there was indeed a Witt Weeks. You know, when I saw West Weeks, I was thinking that was who I was thinking of. But now I'm not sure. But the only way I'm sure is which one is Dayton Lane Kiffin's daughter. Is it West or is it Witt? It's one of them. I know one of them is.

I don't know. Dase Lane Kiffin's daughter. But, you know, any linebacker from LSU, I have a little bit of favor with because of, you know, how important that linebacker position is at that school. So I think you're usually getting a quality player. If you can get a starter from an SEC team in a camp, usually you're getting somebody. good. Cam ball, I got the opportunity to watch Notre Dame just shoved the ball down Arkansas's throat. They did any and everything they wanted to, to Arkansas. So hopefully, you know, they burned that tape so Scouts couldn't see that particular game. Maybe that was a game that

he was hurt. We're going to hope that was a game that he was not in there. Yeah. So I just know, Notre Dame beat him so bad. They fired their head. coach the following day. But, you know, the undrafted free agents is you need some bodies for camp, but usually they will leave room on the roster for one of these guys. You know, they leave room for somebody that can surprise them. and it also helps that, you know, they're good for the payroll also. You know, that that does come into consideration. If two guys are equal and one is making, you know, two million and one is making $2,000,

they would tend to go with the $280,000 player. So a couple of these are going to make it by virtue of the fact that it's good, But economics, I guess, for a football team if talent is equal. But don't really see much on the UDFAs that impresses me. Real quick, Witt Weeks is the one who's dating Lane Kiffin's daughter. Okay. And actually, it's funny, now we have two Lane Kiffin connections on here. I believe one of the assistant coaches worked under Lane Kiffin.

So no dating with that one. but he worked under Lane Kiffin in college. And now we have someone who's brothers with Lane Kiffin's daughter's boyfriend. So there we go. A lot of Lane Kiffin connections on this team here. Yes, everyone's favorite, Lane Kiffin. Right. Universally beloved Lane Kiffin.

Right. Unlike gosh, universally beloved turn the lockdown cold squad show. Thanks so much for joining us on this latest edition. We'll be back to our regular offseason cadence this week, starting with Tuesday's show at 930. So get your calendar set for that. As always, the Colts new cycle never ends. So keep it locked on Jake and Zach every day on Locked on Colts.

Be sure to follow at Lockdown Colts on socials. And check out our other great content on YouTube and TikTok. And we'll see you next time right here on the squad show.