Good news for Indianapolis Colts fans: your team might be getting a new franchise quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft.
But don’t rush to pull out those old No. 18 Peyton Manning jerseys just yet—at least not if NBC Sports’ early projections are accurate.
According to a way-too-early mock draft from Pro Football Talk, the Colts are projected to select Penn State quarterback Drew Allar with the No. 8 overall pick. Allar, who chose to stay in college instead of entering the draft after two standout seasons, has been rising among 2026 QB prospects. He posted a stellar 49-to-10 touchdown-to-interception ratio over the 2023 and 2024 seasons and helped Penn State rank 27th nationally in scoring last year.
Allar stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 236 pounds, boasting ideal NFL QB size. He also improved his completion rate significantly from 59.6% as a sophomore to 66.5% as a junior. He’s currently viewed as the third-best quarterback prospect for 2026 behind Arch Manning and Clemson’s Cade Klubnik.
Why the Colts Might Move On at QB:
Although the Colts used a top pick on Anthony Richardson in 2023 and still have two former top-10 picks at quarterback on their roster, instability at the position has limited their potential. With a top-tier running back in Jonathan Taylor and a strong receiving group including Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, and Josh Downs, Indianapolis has the supporting pieces. However, Richardson’s injury history and inconsistent passing—13 interceptions to just 11 touchdowns across 15 games—have raised concerns.
At 6-4 and 244 pounds, Richardson is physically gifted and a dynamic runner (635 rushing yards and 10 scores), but 2025 is shaping up to be a make-or-break season for him. First-round bust Daniel Jones may even challenge him for the starting job.
The Arch Manning Factor:
If the Colts want to make a splash at quarterback—something owner Jim Irsay would likely welcome—they might set their sights on Arch Manning. The Texas QB and NFL legacy is expected to follow his famous uncles into the league. However, with $6.6 million in projected NIL earnings for 2025–26, Arch might stay in college longer.
While Manning is the early favorite to be the top pick in 2026, the Colts might not be drafting high enough to land him. Both NBC and ESPN project them to pick in the top 10 (No. 8 and No. 9 respectively), but not at the very top. Still, with all their first-round picks and two compensatory seventh-rounders, Indianapolis could try to trade up.
That said, if Arch delays his NFL arrival, the Colts might have more than one shot at drafting him down the line.
