During his post-Day 2 of the 2026 NFL Draft media availability, Indianapolis Colts longtime general manager Chris Ballard had high praise for rookie Georgia linebacker CJ Allen, who the Horseshoe traded down for in Round 2, only to still snag with the 53rd overall pick:
“CJ. I mean we’ve liked CJ through the whole process,” said Ballard late Friday night to the local media. “He stands for all the right stuff. He’s an athletic, fast MIKE. He’ll be a green dot guy for us from the get-go.”
“I mean he’s
a face of the program type of guy. He’s a really special dude now. Loves to play. Cares about football.”
“It’s evident when you watch Georgia tape. He shows up. And look, I mean Kirby (Smart) and Will both, Muschamp, who’s been (around) a long time, they were effusive in what kind of player this kid is, so. And it’s a good fit for us.”
Given the Colts once glaring hole at starting linebacker, Allen immediately projects to start alongside other projected starter Akeem Davis-Gaither, who was a veteran free agent signed earlier this offseason by Indy.
Not only that, but as the designated ‘green dot guy,’ Ballard has indicated that it will be the rookie Allen, who will be equipped with the one-way helmet speaker, allowing him to hear the defensive play-calling and coaching instructions from the sidelines (or press box) and decipher/delegate both to his teammates on the field. It seems like a key responsibility for a rookie, but that’s how high the Colts clearly regard Allen right now.
Given some draft experts projected Allen as a late first/early second round pick, the Colts initially appear to have gotten great value with the 53rd overall pick (and without having a first), but time will tell here in the long-run.
