Caden Curry NFL Draft 2026 Scouting Report for Indianapolis Colts Edge

Matt HolderFeb 2, 2026

The Indianapolis Colts selected Ohio State Edge Caden Curry with the No. 214 overall pick in the 2026 NFL draft.

Caden Curry is an athletic pass-rusher who is coming off a very productive final season at Ohio State. His combination of quickness, athleticism and bend should translate to the next level and make him an intriguing early Day 3 developmental pick.

The 6'3", 260-pound edge defender entered the Buckeyes' program as a 4-star recruit in the 2022 class.

However, he didn't see the field much during his first three years in Columbus, primarily contributing on special teams while sitting behind JT Tuimoloau (Colts' 2025 second-round pick) and Jack Sawyer (Steelers' 2025 fourth-round pick).

This past season, Curry experienced a breakout campaign, where he ranked second in the Big Ten with 11 sacks, while also collecting 66 tackles, 16.5 tackles for loss, two passes defended and a forced fumble. The effort was good enough to earn first-team All-Conference honors.

Matt Holder has been a part of B/R's Scouting Department for four seasons. He also writes about the Las Vegas Raiders and NFL draft for SB Nation's Silver and Black Pride, and co-hosts a YouTube Channel, Tape Don't Lie, providing film breakdowns and more draft prospect analysis.

Highlights

1 of 5

Scroll down for the complete scouting report.

Where He Wins

2 of 5

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 06 Big Ten Championship Game Indiana vs Ohio State

Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

- Curry has solid burst off the line of scrimmage to threaten offensive tackles with speed around the edge.

- Decent rip move and good bend to corner at the top of the rush.

- Recognizes when he reaches the top of the quarterback's drop back and flashes a decent spin-move to win inside, thus avoiding getting run past the quarterback.

- Good agility to take efficient paths as the looper in line games.

- As a run defender, he has good block recognition to place himself in a position to take on blocks. Also is quick to sniff out screens.

- Quick and agile to make offensive linemen miss when slanting.

- Good at catching blockers leaning and using their momentum against them to defeat blocks.

- Experience dropping into coverage and a good enough athlete to spot-drop occasionally.

- Hustle player who will factor into gang-tackles down the field.

Areas of Improvement

3 of 5

James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

- Curry started one year at Ohio State, not seeing the field much until this past season.

- Lacks the strength to anchor and consistently set the edge against NFL offensive tackles.

- Also, he isn't strong and violent when shedding blocks, leading to him getting stuck when facing linemen with good technique.

- Has very short arms, limiting the extension he can get on blocks and allowing offensive tackles to make the first significant contact when rushing the passer. The latter also limits his pass-rush arsenal.

- Doesn't work the hands well as a pass-rusher, resulting in linemen hanging onto him and making it difficult to get clean wins.

- Change-of-direction skills are subpar, preventing him from effectively turning speed-to-power or beating offensive tackles across their faces when rushing the passer.