B
Indianapolis Colts
Grand theft in pick 249: the Colts steal Thomas and grade out a B.
by grady.s ·
2026 NFL Draft
· 7 picks
· 5 steals
· 1 reaches
This is the pick they will still be bragging about in July: Zavion Thomas, the No. 218 name on the board, stolen at pick No. 249.
They will answer for taking cornerback early while quarterback, running back and other spots went begging. The quarterback hole is the one line item this class does not answer.
If Barton pans out, nobody remembers the price. If not, this is the pick they hear about.
Solid rather than spectacular, and there is nothing wrong with that.
Pick-by-Pick
They read the board right and Chris Johnson was the payoff at Round 2, Pick 15. A minor need, but a need all the same.
They bypassed pressing needs at quarterback, running back and other spots to take D'Angelo Ponds, a cornerback that was not the priority.
Good price on Keylan Rutledge in pick 113, a hair ahead of his grade with no real quibbles. A sensible fit for a spot that needed help.
Circle this one: Eli Raridon at the 156th overall pick is a fall that decides a draft. It also answers one of the loudest questions on the roster.
The board had cheaper options than Lander Barton at No. 214, and it noticed. A real hole, addressed with a reasonable pick.
The board fumbled Zavion Thomas all the way to pick No. 249, and they scooped it up. Top of the wish list, and they did not leave without it.
They stopped a slide they were happy to see, landing Trey Zuhn III in the Round 7 slot. It plugs a real leak on the depth chart.