The Colts are coming off a season where they were likely the best team in their conference when they had a healthy starting QB. They however failed to keep their starting QB healthy, while also failing to keep his primary backup healthy, and they lacked the presence of capable backup QBs to begin with. The defense being very inconsistent also was a part of their demise this past season as despite the defense showing a very high ceiling, it finished below average in terms of both points and yards allowed per game. As the defense heads into year 2 under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, not only his coaching but also the Colts’ defensive personnel will need to be better if Indianapolis plans to improve defensively. Here I will go into detail assessing the secondary personnel of the Colts heading into next season.
Set to start at the first of the two primary cornerback spots is Sauce Gardner who is one of the best overall players in the NFL and perhaps the premier cornerback if not the premier overall secondary player in the entire league. Gardner was acquired midseason last year from the Jets and immediately began to thrive in Indianapolis. Gardner has made two first team All-Pro’s in just four seasons and will provide the Colts with an elite starting player in their backend defense.
2026 third rounder A.J Haulcy is set to start at the strong safety spot for the Colts and is a highly decorated college player. Haulcy received first team All-American and first team All-SEC honors during his last season collegiate season in 2025 with LSU. While also receiving first team All-Big-12 honors in 2024 playing for Houston. Haulcy was a superstar in college for multiple teams playing in multiple conferences and projects to be a very strong professional player, he however will likely see his rookie growing pains in the NFL.
Former 4th rounder Camryn Bynum is set to start at the free safety spot for the Colts and is a very good player who has seen his inconsistencies in the NFL, however. Bynum performed at an elite level as a rookie in 2021 albeit in limited snaps but then had a sophomore slump type of season grading below average among players at his position in terms of an overall defense grade according to Pro Football Focus in his first season taking starter snaps in year 2. Bynum in the following season played well taking starter snaps, grading in the well above average range among players at his position. Before of course dropping off the following year, grading slightly below average in that department taking starter snaps. Bynum continued his inconsistency but still his high ceiling in year 1 with the Colts in 2025 where he graded in the top 25% among qualified players at his position as a starter. Perhaps Bynum can find consistency in his game as he heads into year 2 with the Colts which will also be his second year under defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
Veteran Charvarius Ward is set to start at the other primary cornerback spot for the Colts and is a highly productive although at times very inconsistent NFL starter. Ward has made a second team All-Pro on one occasion and has graded as a top ten overall cornerback according to Pro Football Focus three separate times, including being graded in the top five once as well. Ward however sometimes has trouble maintaining elite play and is not in the same class as someone such as the likes of his teammate Sauce Gardner but is likely the next closest thing.
2025 3rd rounder Justin Walley rounds out the Colts’ starting secondary and is set to start at the nickel cornerback spot for the team. Walley was drafted quite high but did not see the field at all as a rookie due to injury. Although head coach Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo seem to still be high on him to list him as the starter, he remains the biggest question mark in the Colts’ starting secondary as of now.
From a depth standpoint in their backend defense the Colts have some notable names that could provide the team with some high-end reserve play and/or could become full-time starters. Safety Juanyeh Thomas was listed as a starter at safety for much of the offseason and has shown a high ceiling in the NFL although lacking consistency. Safety Johnathan Owens has also shown a high ceiling in the NFL although being very inconsistent. Former 2022 2nd round cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt was drafted very highly and has played well at times in the NFL, although really underwhelming in totality. While 2023 3rd round cornerback Mekhi Blackmon had an elite rookie year, did not play in 2024, and played at a well below average rate in 2025. If Blackmon can build off his rookie season, he could be a lethal option off the bench for the Colts.
In totality the Colts have one of the most talented secondaries in the NFL but one that has its concerns. They are starting a rookie, another player in year 2 who did not see the field as a rookie, along with another talented but inconsistent player. If the young players and the inconsistent players can play well, then the Colts can have among the premier secondaries in the NFL next season, as they also have decent depth in addition to their electrically talented starting five. A breakdown of the Colts’ secondary heading into the 2026 season can be found below.
2026 Projected Colts’ Starting Secondary
LCB – Sauce Gardner – A to A+, arguably best cornerback in the NFL
SS – AJ Haulcy – 2026 3rd rounder, first team All-American and first team All-SEC in 2025
FS – Camryn Bynum – B to B-, high ceiling, inconsistent
RCB – Charvarius Ward – B+ to A-
NB – Justin Walley – 2025 3rd rounder, DNP as rookie due to injury
2026 Notable Colts’ Reserve Secondary PlayersÂ
S – Juanyeh Thomas – C+ to B-, elite rookie year in very limited snaps in 2023, has dropped off since
S – Jonathan Owens – C+, high ceiling, inconsistent
CB – Cam Taylor-Britt – 2022 2nd rounder, C so far in NFL, has looked decent at times as former high draftee
CB – Mekhi Blackmon – C+ to B-, 2023 3rd rounder, very strong rookie season, DNP in ’24, struggled in ’25
