In just a few weeks, the Indianapolis Colts will be on the clock pressed to make a decision with the No. 26 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.
While circumstances are rarely ever the same year to year, looking at some of the history behind the recent selections made at that spot in the draft might give an idea of just what type of player the Colts could be getting if they choose to stay where they are.
Here’s everything you need to know about the last 10 players selected with the No. 26 overall pick:
Full list of last 10 players selected at No. 26
Here’s the full list of the last 10 players selected at the No. 26 overall pick:
- 2009: LB Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
- 2010: DT Dan Williams, Arizona Cardinals
- 2011: WR Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs
- 2012: LB Whitney Mercilus, Houston Texans
- 2013: DE Datone Jones, Green Bay Packers
- 2014: DE Marcus Smith, Philadelphia Eagles
- 2015: WR Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
- 2016: QB Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos
- 2017: DE Takkarist McKinley, Atlanta Falcons
- 2018: WR Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons
Top picks
2009: LB Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
The list starts off strong with the Packers’ selection of Matthews, who was a staple in their front seven since he arrived. Working as an outside linebacker, Matthews immediately became a threat to record double-digit sacks each season.
Since entering the league, Matthews has recorded four seasons with at least 10 sacks while earning five trips to the Pro Bowl and one All-Pro nod, which came in 2010. Over the course of his career, Matthews played 143 games while making 137 starts.
2012: LB Whitney Mercilus, Houston Texans
Mercilus has been a steady presence in the front seven for the Texans working as a pass rusher. He’s played 99 games (73 starts) while recording 42.5 sacks over seven seasons.
He hasn’t given them elite production, but he’s been a staple in their front seven since being drafted. Mercilus has dealt with some inconsistencies but has had a better career than most on this list.
Biggest Busts
2011: WR Jonathan Baldwin, Kansas City Chiefs
There are a number of players that didn’t live up to the hype with the pick in the back end of the first round, and Baldwin was among the worst to come out of the draft. Despite his pre-draft measurables, Baldwin was a major bust.
His time in Kansas City was rough, which included him breaking his wrist in a locker room fight with a teammate. After just two seasons, Baldwin was traded and quickly fizzled out of the league.
2015: WR Breshad Perriman, Baltimore Ravens
Another wide receiver pick at No. 26 that didn’t pan out, Perriman entered the draft having been noted for his ridiculous speed. The Ravens took a chance on him despite all of his other faults, and it backfired.
Perriman dealt with drops and injuries throughout his time with the Ravens, which ended when they released him before the beginning of his fourth year in the league.
2016: QB Paxton Lynch, Denver Broncos
Circumstances were a little different for Denver, who needed to find a potential future at quarterback following Peyton Manning’s final season, which ended with a Super Bowl victory.
Lynch dealt with a few injuries early on but never climbed the depth chart like they had hoped. He was released by the Broncos and missed the 2018 season before signing with the Seattle Seahawks this offseason.
Most recent picks have promise
There are major inconsistencies within the recent picks over the last 10 years at No. 26, but the last two have shown that there can be promise at two positions of need for the Colts.
In 2017, the Atlanta Falcons selected defensive end Takkarist McKinley at No. 26. While he hasn’t turned into a full-time starter yet for the Flacons, he has shown promise with 6.0 and 7.0 sacks over the last two seasons, respectively.
In 2018, the Falcons held the same pick and wound up taking wide receiver Calvin Ridley, who had a solid rookie campaign. He finished catching 64 passes for 821 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Conclusion
The Colts currently sit at the No. 26 overall pick in the draft, which should allow them to find some solid talent if they decide to stay there. When looking at the recent history of the selection spot, there are a few things that jump out.
There is inconsistency among players taken at No. 26. There are players that wound up having great careers and those that have started off their careers on a solid note. However, there is extreme volatility in that there are also a handful of severe busts with a few players.
The majority of players selected at that spot are pass rushers and wide receivers. Of course, Chris Ballard won’t pay that any mind, and he will simply draft who they want, but it is something to make note of.
From all of the information, there is a chance the Colts wind up getting a solid player at No. 26, but there is also a high risk that the selection could backfire.
