Colts Must Have Draft Contingency Plan

The Indianapolis Colts have arrived at draft day with much on the line for general manager Chris Ballard. There can't be any misses in round one with the 14th overall pick, as whoever they pick will be one of the cornerstones for their future.

Many believe the tight end has to be addressed, but there's always a scenario possible where both top players like Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland aren't available. In this case, Indianapolis has to have a plan B.

ESPN has a solution in case the tight ends aren't there at 14, which comes in the form of Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell.

Here's what the contributors had to say about Campbell and his talent, warranting teams to select him.

"Alabama linebacker Jihaad Campbell. He is extremely well regarded by teams and could go higher than expected if some team (Cowboys? 49ers? Colts?) loses out on its Plan A on Thursday night."

Campbell has been linked to the Colts at times, and with good reason, despite a torn labrum. Campbell's 2024 was great, as he compiled 117 tackles, 12 stops for loss, 5.0 sacks, a pick, and two forced fumbles.

The Colts might need a tight end, but they also need another linebacker after losing E.J. Speed to the Houston Texans. This now leaves Zaire Franklin and Jaylon Carlies as the prominent names in the linebacker room. Given that Lou Anarumo is in his first year as the Colts' defensive coordinator, it only makes sense to add to the stop troops' side of the football.

Campbell also posted some solid Pro Football Focus metrics, highlighted below:

-Overall | 81.6

-Coverage | 80.1

-Run Defense | 81.0

-Tackle Grade | 88.2