Colts Predicted to Add Physical Defender in 2026 NFL Draft
With this Indianapolis Colts team looking dangerous, they probably won't be drafting early in 2026. But that’s not going to stop Chris Ballard from doing what he does best — hunting value.
As the season progresses, mock drafts for the 2026 NFL Draft are starting to roll out — and a clear trend is emerging. One that Colts fans have been eyeing for quite some time.
CBS Sports analyst Ryan Wilson’s latest mock draft has Indianapolis focusing on improving the depleted secondary with their 2026 first-round pick. A move that makes perfect sense.
Wilson has the Colts selecting Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy with the 23rd overall pick.
McCoy, a 6’0”, 193-pound junior, was one of college football’s most physical corners before suffering a torn ACL in January of 2025. Even with that injury, he is still viewed as one of the top defensive backs in the nation.
Wilson has McCoy ranked as his number one cornerback prospect and sixth overall player on his big board for the 2026 NFL Draft.
McCoy's the kind of corner you can leave on an island and let him work against WR1s. He plays with swagger, attacks the ball in the air, and doesn’t shy from run support.
And McCoy’s production backs up the tape. Before his ACL injury in January, he posted an 89.6 PFF coverage grade, the second-highest among Power Four cornerbacks for the 2024 season.
He also earned a near-perfect 99.9 PFF Game Athleticism Score, showcasing elite movement and fluidity in coverage.
Opposing quarterbacks recorded just a 53.6 passer rating when targeting him, and he tied for second among Power Four corners with four interceptions and nine pass breakups.
Drafting McCoy would immediately strengthen this secondary, and given the injury, there’s a real chance he slips to No. 23 — the kind of value Ballard is always hunting.
There are other names that make sense for Indy depending on how the board shakes out, including Mansoor Delane (LSU), a senior corner with physical tools and polish. Colton Hood (Tennessee) also stands out as a versatile defensive back who can play inside or outside.
Beyond those two, Avieon Terrell (Clemson) brings elite short-area quickness and fluid movement, while A.J. Harris (Penn State) fits the Colts’ mold with length and athleticism.
Each pick would add needed depth and upside to a secondary still searching for stability.
If the Colts can land a player like McCoy — or any of the top corners in this class — it would mark another step in solidifying one of the AFC’s fastest-rising defenses.
With the offense already clicking, a strengthened secondary could be what pushes Indianapolis from playoff contender to legitimate Super Bowl threat.
Eagles All-Pro Shares Thoughts On Controversial OC After Loss
Philadelphia Eagles offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, watching the team against the Cincinnati Bengals during the preseason on August 7, 2025.
The Philadelphia Eagles experienced their most embarrassing moment of the past two years when they fell to the New York Giants on Thursday night by a three-score margin, 34-17.
As the Giants shut out Philadelphia’s attack in the second half, and put up a massive 21 unanswered points, fingers have started to be pointed towards Eagles offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo.
The Eagles have been receiving calls on social media to fire Patullo since Thursday night’s poor display, which saw quarterback, Jalen Hurts put up decent numbers, 24/33 for 283 yards with both one touchdown and interception apiece, despite the team struggling to convert it into points.
Although much of the negative energy surrounding Philly’s offense, both in the passing and running game, one player has emphatically come out in support of his offensive coordinator: All-Pro wideout, AJ Brown.
AJ Brown showed support for Kevin Patullo
He said Patullo is doing an “amazing job” trying to get the skill players the ball
Seems AJ thinks the issue is player execution
“He’s non stop. I think honestly he’s doing an amazing job.” Brown said to the media post-game when asked about the kind of job Patullo is doing in his first year as offensive coordinator. “He’s trying to get us the ball and talking about things that we may say, and ideas that he has – there is nonstop communication. I know he is getting a lot of scrutiny, but I think he is doing a good job in keeping this thing going.
Much of this was initially overshadowed on Thursday night when Brown said he “did not recall” the contents of a meeting that occurred between Hurts, reigning Defensive Player of the Year, Saquon Barkley and himself after the team’s week 5 loss to the Denver Broncos last Sunday.
And, whilst Brown cleared up much of the noise circulating about the implications of those comments on Friday, these comments singing Patullo’s praise bring the burden of responsibility back to him and the other players holding up the offense.
What Is The Solutions For The Eagles’ Offensive Woes?
The stats themselves don’t look too horrendous on the face of it, but there were clear, critical moments in the game that once again got the best of the Eagles.
Case in point, on 3rd and 6 with 12 minutes to go in the third quarter, Devonta Smith found himself wide open at midfield on a go route, due to a Giants busted coverage, as they trailed to the Giants by four points.
Hurts overthrew the former Alabama wideout by around a yard or so on what would have otherwise been a go-ahead touchdown, as Philadelphia settled for a punt – sacrificing seven points at a critical juncture of the game.
But it is not just Hurts and the passing game that is not firing properly on a consistent basis.
Saquon Barkley’s comparatively impressive 12 rushes for 58 yards on Thursday was his second highest yards-per-carry game of the season, at 4.8, on which he has averaged through week 6 just 3.4 – a career low, barring his 19-carry injury-marred, write-off year in 2020.
Hurts as well has not been the rushing force he has made himself out to be in the past, managing just 13 yards on 7 attempts on Thursday night.
Things are not in the dire stages yet, but head coach Nick Sirianni and Patullo will have to come up with answers quickly if they are to avoid further fan and media ire.
