Indianapolis, IN
Colts draft grades: Indianapolis gets mixed reviews, to say the least
The Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 NFL Draft class got mixed reviews to say the least as some rankings and grades have them at the top and others in the mid-20s. Here’s a selection of the analysis from the national media.
The Colts didn’t pick in Round 1, a product of their deadline deal with the Jets to land Sauce Gardner in November. They were 7-2 at that point with Daniel Jones playing great ball, but after an overtime win the following week in Berlin, they became the first NFL team to ever be six games over .500 and still finish with a losing record (per ESPN Research). Jones tore an Achilles in Week 14, and 44-year-old Phillip Rivers, signed out of retirement, was unsurprisingly unable to right the ship.
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The CJ Allen pick is going to be huge for the defense. He was a steal at No. 53 — I had him 28th on the board. He has three-down attributes that allow him to impact the game in coverage, as a run stopper and as a blitzer. Just look at his stat line from 2025: 97 tackles, seven tackles for loss, nine run stops, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, 3.5 sacks. Paired with free agent signing Akeem Davis-Gaither and Day 3 pick Bryce Boettcher, the linebacker unit should take a step forward.
Despite tying for 14th with 39 sacks, this team was 30th in pass rush win rate (29.1%) last season. George Gumbs Jr. and Caden Curry chip in with Laiatu Latu (who is looking like a promising young pro after 8.5 sacks in 2025) to get after more AFC South quarterbacks, but Indy could have used a little more here. A.J. Haulcy enters as a potential Nick Cross replacement next to Cam Bynum, with eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups over the past two seasons. And Jalen Farmer was a strong value in Round 4, as I ranked the 6-foot-5, 312-pound guard at No. 81 overall. He didn’t allow any sacks last season.
Without the first-round pick, the Colts did pretty well here overall, getting a borderline first-round talent on Day 2.
The Indianapolis Colts gave up their first-round pick as a part of the Sauce Gardner trade. Given the lack of elite cornerback prospects in this year’s draft — after Mansoor Delane, who was taken sixth overall — the Colts will probably stand by their position.
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Gardner will only turn 26 in August, and he may prove to be more valuable than prospects who would have been available with Indy’s 16th pick, like Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and USC receiver Makai Lemon.
GM Chris Ballard picked up a little extra capital by trading down in Round 2 — flipping the 47th and 249th picks for the 53rd, 135th, and 237th selections — before grabbing Georgia linebacker CJ Allen.
Allen was considered one of the top off-ball linebackers in the 2026 class and should immediately boost Indy’s second-level defense. With their second pick on Day 2, the Colts added safety A.J. Haulcy, another talented defender who should make an early impact.
Haulcy was the 53rd-ranked prospect on the B/R board.
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Linebacker Bryce Boettcher could also push for early playing time. He and Allen have the potential to reshape Indy’s linebacker group, and Jalen Farmer will provide valuable depth along the interior O-line.
GM Chris Ballard could have afforded to address the team’s need at edge-rusher earlier in the draft, but he largely did a good job of adding defensive help without a Day 1 selection.
The Colts addressed their defensive needs on Days 2 and 3 after watching from the sidelines on Thursday. That has to feel good for Lou Anarumo after his group put up some real stinkers in the second half of last season.
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Inside linebacker help was a necessity for Indianapolis, and it found some in the second and fourth rounds. If not for positional value, Allen would have been a first-round pick. For him to still be on the board at 53 was a win. Allen is a hard hitter who will help establish a tough culture on the defensive unit. And if recent history tells us anything, it’s that there is nothing wrong with taking a linebacker out of Georgia.
Bryce Boettcher is just as exciting. He has two-sport experience after playing both baseball and football at Oregon and boasts a motor that separates him from most prospects in this class.
Second-round LB CJ Allen (53rd overall pick) and third-round S A.J. Haulcy (78th) seem like sweet value picks given where these talented defenders were selected – and both could start as rookies. They’re also the secondary story of this draft. In a win-now move made at least year’s trade deadline, Indy surrendered this year’s first-rounder (and next year’s even more valuable one) to the Jets for CB Sauce Gardner, who – through no fault of his own really – wasn’t able to help the cratering Colts win now in 2025. But if Gardner, who hasn’t been the same player the past few years that he was earlier in his career, doesn’t revert to All-Pro form – maybe even Deion Sanders form – history is not going to look kindly upon GM Chris Ballard’s very expensive gambit.
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Analysis: The Colts, without a first-rounder, still made this draft solid with the combination of Allen and Haulcy early to fill defensive needs. With no glaring holes, GM Chris Ballard did the best he could to bolster depth with Curry being the best later pick.
Allen: Allen is a physical, reliable middle linebacker with strong run-defense ability. His length limitations are notable, but he flashes enough in coverage to project as a starter.
Haulcy: Haulcy is a true deep safety with strong range, ball skills and an aggressive playmaking mentality. He projects as a starter in systems that keep him in a traditional backend role.
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Farmer: Farmer put together a solid but unspectacular 2025 season, earning a 69.8 PFF overall grade that ranked 93rd among guards. His best work came in pass protection, where his 72.4 PFF pass-blocking grade ranked 256th, while his 67.4 run-blocking grade ranked 113th. Across 818 snaps, he allowed 14 pressures, including three sacks and no quarterback hits, and committed one penalty.
Boettcher: Boettcher is a high-energy, multi-sport athlete who plays with physicality despite a smaller frame. He could carve out a role in an attacking defensive scheme.
Gumbs: Gumbs brings intriguing size and length (6-foot-4, 245 pounds, 33 5/8-inch arms) alongside developing production, and entered draft weekend at No. 211 on the PFF Big Board. He logged 345 snaps in 2025 and earned a 66.0 defensive grade, with solid marks in run defense (69.2) and pass rush (68.2). His 13 total pressures and 12 run stops point to flashes of impact, though five missed tackles and inconsistent efficiency highlight a still-developing profile.
Curry: Curry generated 46 pressures and 12 sacks along Ohio State’s defensive front while also excelling against the run, earning an 86.7 PFF run-defense grade. However, his lack of ideal size and length could limit his defensive role, making his extensive and productive special teams experience a key path to a roster spot.
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McGowan: McGowan has the build and athleticism to be a starting-caliber back at the NFL level. His explosiveness in short areas and long speed, paired with quick processing and play speed, make him a difference-maker between the tackles in power-run concepts.
Llewellyn: Llewellyn brings effort and a variety of pass-rush moves but is an average athlete who must improve strength to earn consistent snaps.
Burks: Burks’ size and production do not clearly point to a future NFL contributor, but his athleticism and strength make him difficult to dismiss. He offers intriguing upside as an explosive slot receiver, though he may not fit every scheme.
Joel A. Erickson and Nathan Brown cover the Colts all season. Get more coverage on IndyStarTV and with the Colts Insider newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts draft grades: Colts get high marks from some, very low from others
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Alex Palou will start the 2026 Indianapolis 500 from the pole.
Alex Palou returned to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this May as if he never left the famed racetrack. The four-time NTT IndyCar Series champion is a force to be reckoned with once again, and he showcased his raw ability once again on Sunday.
Rain plagued Indianapolis on Saturday, postponing qualifying for the 110th Indianapolis 500. The series had to fit in both the main time trials and the Fast 12 on Sunday, and that was no issue for Palou, who has been fast throughout the entire month in Indianapolis.
The Chip Ganassi Racing driver, who won the 2025 Indianapolis 500, won his second career Indianapolis 500 pole (the first was in 2023).
Palou’s No. 10 DHL Honda soared around Indianapolis with a four-lap average of 232.248 mph during the Fast 12. He will start next Sunday’s Indianapolis 500 alongside Ed Carpenter Racing’s Alexander Rossi and Team Penske’s David Maukas.
“You could see the celebration was really high (after winning the pole) because this morning when we woke up, we did not expect this speed,” a humble Palou said.
Alex Palou’s IndyCar Series Dominance
Since Palou joined Chip Ganassi Racing, he is the most dominant driver in America’s premier open-wheel division. He joined CGR in 2021 and besides his four championships, he’s won a series-leading 22 races in that span.
Last year, Palou won eight of 17 races on the calendar, including the 2025 Indianapolis 500. This year, the CGR driver is showing no signs of slowing down. Through six races, he has three victories and is the series points leader once again. Though Palou has showed extraordinary talent, he remains committed to the IndyCar Series and has denied rumors that he will attempt to move to Formula 1 like Colton Herta.
Palou, who is only 29 years old, has plenty of runway left in his career. A second Indianapolis 500 victory on Memorial Day Weekend could certainly catch the attention of team owners outside of IndyCar.
The 2026 Indianapolis 500
The Indianapolis 500 is shaping up to be one of the most competitive spectacles in the history of the historic race. The entire 33-car field was separated by just six mph during qualifying.
Among the highlights of this year’s field is the return of three Indianapolis 500 champions: Helio Castroneves, Takuma Sato and Ryan Hunter-Reay. Sato will start 13th next Sunday, with Castroneves in 15th and Hunter-Reay in 23rd.
Katherine Legge, who will be attempting The Double between the Indianapolis 500 and the Coca-Cola 600, will start the 500 in 27th.
“Very few drivers ever get the opportunity to attempt ‘The Double,’ and I do not take that opportunity lightly,” Legge said. “This challenge is about pushing through perceived limits, betting on yourself, taking risks and trying to do something unique. I am so incredibly grateful to e.l.f. Cosmetics for believing in what this moment represents and for building a community around it.”
All three CGR cars qualified for the Fast 12, with Kyffin Simpson starting in seventh, while veteran Scott Dixon will start 11th. One of the shockers in qualifying was the lack of speed out of Penske’s Josef Newgarden, who will start in 24th in the Indianapolis 500, which will air on Fox.
Joseph Wolkin Joseph Wolkin is a motor sports expert, focusing on telling the untold stories inside of Nascar, Formula 1 and the IndyCar Series. He is currently working on a new book about team leaders turn racers into champions. Follow Joseph on X at @joewolkin. More about Joseph Wolkin
Indianapolis, IN
Who won Indianapolis 500 pole position? Qualifying, time trials schedule, format, starting grid
Indianapolis 500 qualifying is on, finally, as the entire 33-car field for the May 24 race will be determined today, May 17.
Rain washed out Saturday’s session at Indianapolis Motor Speedway, postponing all the work on the 2.5-mile oval to today.
There are three rounds of time trials: 33 cars will get one attempt each, with the top 12 advancing to the second round; the 6 fastest from that round will compete for pole position.
We will have every qualifying attempt and more, so please remember to refresh.
9:45 a.m.: There aren’t many takers. The Team Penske and Chip Ganassi Racing teams are content to wait until qualifying to get on-track, according to the Fox Sports broadcast.
On Fast Friday, Penske drivers Scott McLaughlin (1st), David Malukas (9th) and two-time race champ Josef Newgarden (14th) fared well on no-tow laps (qualifying conditions). CGR drivers were 2nd (Alex Palou), 11th (Scott Dixon) and 23rd (Kyffin Simpson).
- 9 a.m.: Gates open
- 9:30 a.m.: Full-field practice
- 10:45 a.m.: Enlistment ceremony
- Noon: Qualifying; each driver gets one attempt with the 12 fastest advancing
- 3:15 p.m.: Monster Jam world record attempt
- 4:30 p.m.: Top 12 qualifying
- 6 p.m.: Fast 6
(Each driver will get one 4-lap attempt starting at noon ET; the session should last approximately 3 hours)
- Scott Dixon
- Christian Lundgaard
- Ryan Hunter-Reay
- Ed Carpenter
- Rinus VeeKay
- Scott McLaughlin
- Nolan Siegel
- Graham Rahal
- Josef Newgarden
- Will Power
- Felix Rosenqvist
- Santino Ferrucci
- Marcus Ericsson
- Conor Daly
- Mick Schumacher
- Romain Grosjean
- Marcus Armstrong
- Pato O’Ward
- David Malukas
- Alexander Rossi
- Dennis Hauger
- Sting Ray Robb
- Kyle Kirkwood
- Caio Collet
- Helio Castroneves
- Takuma Sato
- Christian Rasmussen
- Louis Foster
- Kyffin Simpson
- Jack Harvey
- Alex Palou
- Jacob Abel
- Katherine Legge
(All times ET; all IndyCar sessions are on IndyCar Live, IndyCar Radio, Sirius XM Channel 218 and the Fox One app)
- Sunday, May 17
- 9:30-10:30 a.m.: Indy 500 practice, FS2
- Noon: First round of qualifying, FS2
- 4 p.m.: Top 12 qualifying, Fox (session begins at 4:30 p.m.)
- 6 p.m.: Fast 6, Fox
- Sunday: Cloudy in the morning and partly cloudy skies in the afternoon with a high in the mid 80s.
Indy 500 qualifying predictions from IndyStar’s Zion Brown
- Who wins pole position, and at what 4-lap speed average? “Takuma Sato will win his first Indy 500 pole with an average speed of 233.6 mph.”
- Who is the surprise driver advancing to Top 12 qualifying? “A.J. Foyt Racing’s Caio Collet has looked faster than expected throughout practice and the open test.”
- Who will be left out of the top 12 unexpectedly? “Kyle Kirkwood. Andretti Global’s cars have been surprisingly slow this week, and Kirkwood has started on the front four rows just once.”
FoxSports.com, Fox Sports app
Watch Indy 500 action on Fubo
Indy 500 qualifying tickets start at $30
Zion Brown is IndyStar’s motorsports reporter. Follow him at @z10nbr0wn. Get IndyStar’s motor sports coverage sent directly to your inbox with our Motor Sports newsletter. Subscribe to the YouTube channel IndyStar TV: IndyCar for a behind-the-scenes look at IndyCar and expert analysis.
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Bottleworks District has announced two new additions to its growing retail and dining lineup: Amorino Gelato Al Naturale and Bobbles & Lace Indianapolis.
Amorino Gelato Al Naturale will bring an upscale Italian-style dessert experience to the district, featuring handcrafted gelato, signature flower-shaped presentations, warm desserts, and premium beverages in an elegant boutique setting.
Owner Sal Abci said Bottleworks District’s vibrant atmosphere and experience-focused visitors made it the ideal location for the brand’s Indianapolis debut.
Bobbles & Lace is a boutique that offers personalized, styling-focused fashion experiences centered on accessible luxury and community. Owner Amanda Logan-Athmer said the energy and destination appeal of Bottleworks aligned perfectly with the boutique’s vision as it enters the Indianapolis market.
Bottleworks says the new additions are set to open later in 2026.
Scott Pruden, senior vice president of leasing at Hendricks Commercial Properties and Bottleworks District, said both businesses will bring fresh concepts to the district’s evolving retail and dining scene along the historic Mass Ave corridor.
Bottleworks District, a redeveloped Coca-Cola bottling plant, has become one of the Midwest’s premier mixed-use destinations, featuring hotel accommodations, restaurants, entertainment, office space, and retail.
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