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DETROIT, MI - APRIL 25: Fans of the Indianapolis Colts hold up a championship belt as they wait for their team to pick during Day 1 of the NFL Draft on April 25, 2024 at Campus Martius Park and Hart Plaza in Detroit, MI. (Photo by John Smolek/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images With the 135th pick the Indianapolis Colts have selected Oregon linebacker Bryce Boettcher.
Boettcher will slide right into a Colts team that already features Akeem Davis-Gaither and fellow draftee CJ Allen. With the position so up in the air after a disaster of a 2025 it makes sense that the Colts would add another player in this draft. Time will tell who plays what role for the 2026 defense but adding this much talent and potential to a position that desperately needed it is good to see.
Here is what Lance Zurlein said about about Boettcher leading up to the draft:
Two-sport standout at Oregon who passed on a chance to start his baseball career, choosing to pursue an NFL opportunity instead. The former walk-on plays like the chip never left his shoulder. He’s fearless in his downhill approach, which leads to feast-or-famine results in the run game. His size, speed and athleticism are average, but his competitive will and motor cover some of that up. Boettcher profiles as an NFL backup but his special-teams talent could be his ticket to a higher draft slotting.
If Zurlein’s take on Boettcher ends up being accurate or not, it’s unquestionable that he is at worst an upgrade to the depth the Colts had at the position a season ago.
With another pick in the books the Colts will be on the clock again soon. With as many holes as they have to fill, it’s good that this was one of six day three selections the team will make today. Make sure to stay tuned to Stampede Blue for draft pick announcements and analysis as picks keep pouring in.
