A.J. Haulcy NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Indianapolis Colts S

The Indianapolis Colts selected LSU S A.J. Haulcy with the No. 78 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

AJ Haulcy looks like a linebacker playing safety, but his zone instincts and impressive downhill click and close speed give him a unique skillset at the top of defenses. Best as a split-field safety or robber, he operates quickly and efficiently, moving toward the line of scrimmage with great instincts and play development eyes.

The former 3-star recruit and transfer from Houston and New Mexico has made a name for himself with his nose for the football. He's put up 347 tackles (203 solo), four tackles for loss, ten interceptions, 19 passes defensed, and four forced fumbles in his collegiate career. He's always around the football, and those instincts pay off in more ways than one.

Dan has covered the Kansas City Chiefs and the NFL Draft since 2019 while contributing for RGR Football. Most recently, he spent the 2025 draft cycle at The Draft Network and is entering his first season in our scouting department.

Highlights

A.J. Haulcy highlights

00:55

Scroll down for the full scouting report.

Where He Wins

Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

— Haulcy is a top-down playmaker who excels at reading out plays, exploding downhill, and playing through the whistle. He's a physical hitter and wants to set the tone early against the run or pass.

— His prowess as a zone defender is special to witness, with trust to pass off, track route concepts development, and instincts to trigger on throws with anticipation. He mirrors the quarterback's eyes and shows off his impressive ball skills and timing.

— The 5'11", 215-pound defender held many responsibilities for the LSU defense as a senior and never panicked, showcasing a "never say die" mentality. He showcased his leadership through communication and effort.

— He can play down around the line of scrimmage and isn't afraid to stick his nose into the fire. A willing participant in the run and screen game, Haulcy is always around the football.

—Showcased better ability to carry tight ends in man coverage while at LSU, and improved footwork to match quicker movements. There's upside as a big slot with his skill set.

Areas of Improvement

Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images

— Haulcy leads with his shoulder and tends to fall off tackles far too often. He has many shoestring tackles on tape and can take poor angles to the football. Needs to wrap up consistently to be a trusted last line of defense.

— His short area movement against quicker receivers sees him get stacked quickly and unable to keep pace down the field, particularly from the slot.

— He will out-leverage himself as a post safety, committing too much space to one side based on the quarterback's eyes and putting himself out of position with his recovery speed.

Grade, Rank and Pro Comparison

Sean Gardner/Getty Images

GRADE: 7.6 (Key Contributor -Second Round)

COMPARABLE GRADE: S Dante Trader Jr., Maryland (7.4 in 2025), S Javon Bullard, Georgia (7.4 in 2024), CB Deommodore Lenoir, Oregon (7.4 in 2021)

OVERALL RANK: 53

POSITION RANK: S5

PRO COMPARISON: Xavier Watts

Measurables and Testing Data

Derick E. Hingle/Getty Images

Height: 5'11 ⅝"
Weight: 215
Hand Size: 9 ¼"
Arm Length: 30 ⅞"
Wingspan: N/A

40-yard dash: 4.52
10-yard split: 1.62
Vertical: N/A
Broad: N/A
3 cone: N/A
Shuttle: N/A
Bench: N/A