The Indianapolis Colts‘ linebacker room is a bit thin heading into the 2026 NFL season.
Indy traded Zaire Franklin to the Green Bay Packers to create cap space this free agency. Germaine Pratt was on a one-year deal and recorded 101 tackles in the 2026 season — there have been no talks of Pratt returning to Indy.
The duo combined for more than 226 tackles last season and both were in the top 3 in tackles for the team.
Needing an answer to the linebacker group, the team is reportedly “very high” on a prospect in the upcoming draft.
Colts Interested in TCU Linebacker
GettyThe Colts are interested in a Big 12 linebacker
The Indianapolis Colts are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with seven total selections, but won’t make their first choice until Day 2 with the 47th overall.
Addressing the linebacker spot is a priority for the Colts as the team remained quiet through free agency and looks towards the draft to fill the gap.
According to Tony Pauline of Essentially Sports, Indy is reportedly “very high” on Texas Christian linebacker Kaleb Elarms-Orr.
“Elarms-Orr is a pure off-ball linebacker whose game and draft stock have taken off over the past nine months. Entering the season graded anywhere from the late rounds to the middle of Day 3, Elarms-Orr turned in a terrific senior campaign and then stood out in pre-draft scouting events such as the Senior Bowl and combine. He’s cemented himself as a Day 2 pick and could slide into the initial 60 picks,” Pauline wrote.
“The Indianapolis Colts [and four other teams] are very high on Elarms-Orr and have interviewed him through different mediums since the Senior Bowl.”
Elarms-Orr logged 130 tackles (11 for loss) and 4 sacks in his final season with the Horned Frogs. Across his collegiate career, the linebacker has accrued 276 total tackles and 7 sacks.
Pro Football Focus gave Elarms-Orr an 82.5 grade for his performance in the 2025 season, ranking him the 51st-best player at his respective position across the country.
What Kaleb Elarms-Orr Brings to Indy
GettyLou Anarumo is entering his second season with the Colts
If the Indianapolis Colts were to take Kaleb Elarms-Orr with the 47th or a third-round selection, the linebacker would likely become a starter right off the bat due to the lack of defense options.
Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo will have a new option on his team that could help develop him into a quality starter. Anarumo helped develop Logan Wilson (also a linebacker) into a quality starter when both were with the Cincinnati Bengals.
“Elarms-Orr is a well-built linebacker with above-average athleticism but problematic instincts. He has the speed and athleticism to get to the football from sideline to sideline,” analyst Lance Zierlein wrote about the linebacker.
“However, he frequently struggles with recognizing blocking schemes and too often loses track of play development. He’s rangy but average in zone coverage, with talent as a blitzer worth continued exploration. He will need improved processing but should dial in as a backup with a full-time role on special teams.”
With a training camp with the Indianapolis Colts, Kaleb Elarms-Orr could develop into the next long-term option at linebacker, such as Zaire Franklin, who was a seventh-round choice for Indy back in the 2018 draft.
Colts “Very High” On 276-Tackle First-Team Big 12 Linebacker