Colts Preparing For All New Starters At LB

According to ESPN’s Stephen Holder, second-round rookie CJ Allen is expected to take over as the team’s new starting middle linebacker. The only linebackers returning in Indianapolis who saw any playing time in 2025 are Austin Ajiake, an undrafted free agent from 2023, and Jaylon Carlies, a fifth-round pick two years ago. Allen joins the Colts after a consensus All-American season at Georgia in which he tallied 88 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks. He’s an excellent tackler, he’s quick to diagnose plays, and he doesn’t commit penalties.

Allen wasn’t the only rookie linebacker the Colts drafted. They also selected Oregon’s Bryce Boettcher, a former MLB draft pick, in the fourth round. At the moment, Boettcher also appears to be in line for an impact role, potentially even as another rookie starter. Boettcher was a tackling machine for the Ducks. Over his last two seasons with the team, he totaled a combined 230 total tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks. Boettcher was expected to be an immediate contributor on special teams, but he may also end up being one the team’s top options to start as a rookie.

The only other player with a strong likelihood to start is veteran Akeem Davis-Gaither. Davis-Gaither spent the first five years of his career in Cincinnati, starting only four games in his first four years and earning seven starts in his final year with the Bengals two years ago. He signed a two-year deal to join the Cardinals last year and started 13 of 17 games, leading the team in playing time at the linebacker position and tallying 117 total tackles. He stands to add some veteran experience to a very young linebacking corps.

Holder pointed out that the youth does not end at linebacker. He reported that third-round safety A.J. Haulcy has an early lead in a battle for the starting strong safety role. Holder added that second-year nickelback Justin Walley and second-year defensive end JT Tuimoloau are also expected to to be featured prominently on defense this year. The Colts’ defense finished 21st in points allowed and 23rd in yards allowed last year, so there isn’t much harm in hitting the reset button. It appears the team will embrace youth as they attempt to retool the unit starting this year.