Indianapolis, IN
Early 2026 Mock Draft Predicts Colts Fix Defensive Issues
The Indianapolis Colts will walk into high-level hostile territory tomorrow afternoon when they face the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.
If Indianapolis can win and move to 9-2, while sending the Patrick Mahomes-led Chiefs to 5-6, it will give them a massive momentum boost as they embark on the rest of their tough schedule.
Recently, the Colts added superstar Sauce Gardner to Lou Anarumo’s defense, removing their first-rounders for 2026 and 2027. However, in Pro Football Network’s early mock draft from James Fragoza, Indy still feels defense is a need to add to.
Here are the picks in Fragoza’s mock for the Colts.
Round 2 – Pick 60 | Safety Dillon Thieneman, Oregon
“From effort to instincts to feel in zone, Dillon Thieneman is a defensive coordinator’s dream in the deep third. He may not have the jaw-dropping athletic abilities of others in the defensive backfield, but he’s nearly always in the correct position.”
Oregon Ducks safety Dillon Thieneman is a perfect fit for Lou Anarumo’s defense, if the veteran coordinator remains with Indianapolis in 2026.
Thieneman started his college career with the Purdue Boilermakers, putting up 210 tackles, six picks, nine pass breakups, and two fumbles forced during his 24 games with Purdue.
However, after joining the Ducks, he’s continued his defensive efficiency. This year, Thieneman has put up 49 tackles, a pick, and four pass breakups.
Thieneman has also displayed fantastic Pro Football Focus grades of 84.1 overall, 78.7 tackles, 89.2 coverage. and 10 stops (constitutes a ‘failure’ for the offense.)
If the Colts decide to select Thieneman, he adds much-needed coverage ability to the safety room with Nick Cross and Cam Bynum. Given that Indy also has seventh-rounder Hunter Wohler, adding Thieneman gives them a complete safety room.
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Round 3 – Pick 92 | Linebacker Whit Weeks, LSU
“Although Whit Weeks isn’t as hyped as Harold Perkins Jr., he’s delivered big-time results as LSU’s rangy linebacker, racking up 125 tackles last year and staying productive despite a late-season leg injury this season.
His speed and instincts pop off the tape, and he’s tough enough to stack blocks and cover ground.”
The Colts have starting linebackers Zaire Franklin and Germaine Pratt, but neither excels in pass coverage. The Colts do have Jaylon Carlies, but he’s hardly played and remains injured.
Enter LSU linebacker, Whit Weeks.
Weeks has covered pass-catchers well this year in his six games, as well as stacked 29 tackles, 2.5 tackles or loss, and 1.0 sacks. Even with his ankle injury, Weeks is a solid add to any defense.
Last year with the Tigers, Whit led the NCAA in solo tackles with 61, but also looked fantastic in stopping ball carriers in the backfield with 10.0 tackles for loss.
This would be an excellent addition to Indy’s defense and gives more depth to a linebacker position that desperately needs more help in pass coverage. Keep an eye on for the Colts to be interested in a player like Weeks.
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ICYMI: Top 5 IndyStar business stories in May 2026
A busy month at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reignited debates about hotels and the downtown heliport. Plus, Eli Lilly celebrated 150 years.
May came and went, and with it, we saw the closest Indianapolis 500 finish in history, the 150th anniversary of Eli Lilly and a contested primary election day.
There’s also been some movement in retail news ahead of the summer shopping season. On the north side, a new women’s clothing store opened while a piercing studio set up shop in Speedway. Meanwhile, an indoor children’s play place opened on the near north side.
Read on for four spots that recently opened and one in Broad Ripple that said farewell.
Openings
Monkee’s
8659 River Crossing Blvd., monkeesofindianapolis.com, opened in March
Monkee’s of Indianapolis, a high-end women’s clothing store, opened recently on the north side in the Shops at River Crossing near the Fashion Mall. The brand Monkee’s started in the South three decades ago and has since grown to nearly 70 locations. In Indianapolis, Missy Llewellyn and Whitney Schmitt started the franchise to bring the clothing brand to the Circle City.
The Nest Play Cafe
515 E 22nd St Suite 101, indynestplaycafe.com, opened early May
The Nest Play Cafe opened at the corner of Central Avenue and 22nd Street, offering an indoor space for parents and caregivers to bring their children to play. Caregivers can book 90-minute play sessions for $15 per child over the age of one. Tickets for additional siblings run $10. The cafe sells coffee and snacks, too.
Open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Friday 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m. to noon. Closed Tuesdays.
Forget Me Not Piercing Studio
5324 W. 16th St., jessflowerspiercings.square.site, opened May 27
A new piercing studio opened in Speedway at the end of May just days after the Indianapolis 500. Forget Me Not Piercing offers traditional lobe, helix and conch piercings along with nostril and septum piercings. Artist Jess Flowers opened the one-woman shop on 16th Street.
Open Sunday and Thursday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Black Orchid Barbers Fountain Square
1201 Prospect St. Suite 100, blackorchidbarbers.com, opened in May
Black Orchid, a local barbershop known for its sharp haircuts with a side of humor, opened its Fountain Square spot, marking the company’s seventh brick-and-mortar location. Walk-ins are welcome but Black Orchid recommends grabbing a time slot online for your preferred service.
Open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Closures
Vitality IV Bar
6302 Guilford Ave., vitalityivbar.com
An IV-wellness spot in Broad Ripple shut its doors last month. Vitality IV Bar was located next to the Thieves cocktail lounge, formerly the Broad Ripple Starbucks location, before it went out of business.
Vitality IV still operates an Indianapolis-area location on Mass Ave downtown at 749 Massachusetts Ave where customers can book a variety of infusions with vitamins.
See a store opening or closing near you? Contact IndyStar reporter Alysa Guffey at alysa.guffey@indystar.com.
Forty-one names comprised the 11th layer of Springer’s “The Forgiving Sea VI,” an interactive painting that invites people to wr
Elizabeth Gabriel, Mirror Indy
(MIRROR INDY) — The Garfield Park Conservatory will host multiple family-friendly events throughout June. The events include plant shows, kid’s story time and Dollar Menu Night, which allows residents to harvest and eat veggies from a community garden.
Events at the Garfield Park Conservatory, 2505 Conservatory Drive, range in price and some require advance registration.
The Indianapolis Bonsai Club will have displays and answer questions about a variety of bonsai. Vendors will have items for purchase.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 6, 1-5 p.m. June 7
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Preschoolers ages 2-5 can participate in nature-themed storytime and crafts.
🗓️ 10-11 a.m. June 9
🎟️ $6 per child
Residents of all ages can harvest and eat veggies from Blakes’ Garden. Advance registration is preferred.
🗓️ 6-7 p.m. June 10
🎟️ $1 per person
Focused on ages 2-8, participants will listen to a nature-themed story and explore Blakes’ Garden. Attendees will relocate to a classroom if there’s inclement weather.
🗓️ 10 a.m. June 12
🎟️ Free
Up to 15 neighbors ages 10 and up will learn to ferment kimchi. Registration is required.
🗓️ 1-2 p.m. June 13
🎟️ $15 per person
Kids ages 2-5 can plant and harvest crops in the Children’s Garden. Registration is required.
🗓️ 11 a.m. to noon June 24
🎟️ $6 per child
The Indiana Insectivores will display tropical and native Indiana predator plants. Plants will also be available for purchase. Those who attend the plant show will also have free entry to the Predatory Plants Presentation 1-2 p.m. June 27.
🗓️ 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 27, 1-5 p.m. June 28
🎟️ $7 per person, $15 per family (maximum of two adults per family)
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Elizabeth Gabriel covers the south side of Marion County. Contact her at elizabeth.gabriel@mirrorindy.org. Follow her on X at @_elizabethgabs.
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