NFL Network analyst Daniel Jeremiah spoke with reporters ahead of the 2026 NFL Combine, sharing his thoughts on the strengths of this year’s draft class and potential strategies for the Indianapolis Colts, who do not have a first-round pick.
According to Jeremiah, the Colts currently hold the 47th and 78th overall picks. He described this year’s draft as having strong depth in several positions, especially for teams selecting outside of the first round. “It’s another exciting class, with some of the strengths of this draft really being along the defensive line, particularly the edge rushers,” Jeremiah said Thursday. “Another great group of wide receivers, a linebacker group that runs deep and a corner group that runs really deep. So it’s a good draft.”
When discussing specific position groups without a first-round pick, Jeremiah ranked wide receiver and cornerback as deeper than defensive tackle. “I would rank that wide receiver, corner, D-tackle in terms of depth,” he said. “But it’s not it’s not in bad shape at defensive tackle, it’s just much, much deeper at the other two. Wide receivers is really, really good. It’s comparable to the last several years…I think I had 19 guys with grades that would put them in the top three-round range, so that’s a really good group of wide receivers. Corners, we got a nice mix of outside guys and one of the really, really good group of slot corners that I’ve seen in the last few years. So good, not quite as deep as we’ve been in some other years, but really solid there with again a really nice mix of slot corners. And then the defensive tackles, it’s not as deep as the edge rusher group in this draft but there’s some real intriguing guys…second round to fourth round I think is a nice little sweet spot there you got some real big guys in there.”
Jeremiah identified wide receiver as an area where Indianapolis could focus its second-round selection: “There’s wide receivers galore that are going to be there,” he said. “There are really, really good players that I think – it’s literally all shapes and sizes.”
The team’s decision may depend on Alec Pierce’s future; Pierce is set to become a free agent unless re-signed or tagged by March 11. Jeremiah suggested Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) and Chris Brazzell (Tennessee) could provide size and speed if Indianapolis needs to replace Pierce. He also named Antonio Williams (Clemson), Zachariah Branch (Georgia), Germie Bernard (Alabama), and Malik Benson (Oregon) among possible options at various rounds.
If Pierce stays or if Indianapolis chooses another direction at receiver, linebacker or defensive end remain possibilities for their second-round choice.
Looking beyond team-specific analysis to broader prospects across college football programs: Ohio State safety Caleb Downs was highlighted by Jeremiah as one of his top-rated players—his latest mock draft places Downs tenth overall with Cincinnati Bengals: “Caleb Downs everything he does he just kind of does right,” Jeremiah said.
Indiana’s D’Angelo Ponds was projected by Jeremiah as a second- or third-round pick at cornerback; Omar Cooper Jr., also from Indiana University and considered for Cincinnati alongside Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase; Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love was noted as potentially fitting for Kansas City Chiefs at ninth overall while teammate Jadarian Price could be selected late in round one by Denver Broncos.
“I think he could be a number one back – if he was playing anywhere else he would have been,” Jeremiah said about Price. “Just happened to be playing with Jeremiyah Love…but he’s someone that I think has got a chance to be three-down complete back.”
Jeremiah also addressed Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza’s status as likely No. 1 overall pick: “Comparing Mendoza with the Bryce Young CJ Stroud draft I would have him – just off of college grades – just a tick above those guys for me,”he said.”I would put (Mendoza) behind the group we had a couple years ago those top three guys – for me it was Caleb (Williams) one (Drake) Maye two Jaden Daniels three He would slot in behind those guys But I think he’s excelled I think he’s ready to go He’s incredibly tough…you look at him in red zone you look at him in key moments and big games and I don’t really know how you could have too much concern there”
Many prospects mentioned will participate next week during events related to the NFL Combine held at Lucas Oil Stadium.
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