Colts Draft Pick Profiles: Everything to Know About RB Seth McGowan

In the labyrinthine world of the NFL Draft, the seventh round is often where diamonds are found in the rough, or where teams take a calculated swing on a player whose tape screams “more than just a late-round pick.” For the Indianapolis Colts, that swing came at pick No. 237 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft when they selected Kentucky running back Seth McGowan.

On paper, it’s a depth addition. But for a Colts backfield that has been searching for a reliable, explosive complement to Jonathan Taylor, McGowan represents a fascinating puzzle piece. He is not a household name, but his production over the last two seasons—spanning two different conferences—tells a story of a back who is just scratching the surface of his potential. Let’s dive into the full breakdown of this selection, from his statistical résumé to his athletic ceiling.

The Journey: From New Mexico to the SEC Spotlight

Seth McGowan’s path to the NFL is not a straight line, which is exactly why he was available in the 237th spot. After a productive stint at New Mexico in 2024—where he rushed for 730 yards—McGowan made a bold move to the Southeastern Conference (SEC) to play for Kentucky. The jump from the Mountain West to the SEC is one of the steepest in college football, and McGowan did not just survive; he thrived.

In 2025, his lone season with the Wildcats, McGowan totaled 824 rushing yards, according to Pro Football Focus. That figure is even more impressive when you consider the context: Kentucky’s offensive line dealt with injuries, and the passing game was inconsistent. Defenses knew the run was coming, and McGowan still found ways to churn out yards.

What stands out immediately is his dual-threat capability. Over his final two collegiate seasons (2024 at New Mexico and 2025 at Kentucky), McGowan saw 64 targets in the passing game. That is not a small sample size. For a Colts offense that loves to get its running backs involved in the flat and on screen passes, this is a skill set that offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter will want to exploit immediately.

Key Career Stats at a Glance

• 2024 (New Mexico): 730 rushing yards, strong efficiency in a zone-blocking scheme.
• 2025 (Kentucky): 824 rushing yards, SEC competition, 64 total targets over two seasons.
• Missed Tackles Forced (2025): 35 missed tackles on 166 carries (ranked 42nd among all FBS running backs).
• Yards After Contact: Career average of 3.22 yards after contact per carry.

Breaking Down the Tape: Yards After Contact and Elusiveness

If you are looking for a one-word summary of Seth McGowan’s style, it is physical. But not in the “run through a brick wall” sense. McGowan is a patient runner who lets his blocks develop, then uses a combination of vision and raw power to finish runs. His career average of 3.22 yards after contact is a telling metric. It means he is not going down on first contact. He is a finisher.

Dig deeper into his 2025 season, and the numbers get even more compelling. On 166 carries, McGowan generated 35 missed tackles. To put that in perspective, many of the running backs ranked ahead of him on the missed-tackle leaderboard did so on 200+ carries. McGowan’s rate of forcing a missed tackle every 4.7 carries is elite-level efficiency. This is a back who makes defenders miss in the hole and in the open field.

This is where the Colts see a clear role. Jonathan Taylor is a home-run hitter who thrives on explosive runs, but he also carries a heavy workload. McGowan can step in on third-and-medium situations and provide a change of pace. He is not a burner in the 4.3-second range, but his lateral agility and ability to stop and start on a dime make him a nightmare for linebackers in space.

The Pass Protection Question

No profile is complete without addressing the elephant in the room: pass protection. The Colts have a franchise quarterback in Anthony Richardson (or whoever is under center), and keeping him upright is non-negotiable. McGowan’s scouting reports consistently note that he will have to improve in this area. While he is willing to engage blitzing linebackers, his technique is raw. He tends to lunge rather than anchor, which can lead to whiffs in the backfield.

However, this is a teachable skill. The Colts have a strong running backs coach who has worked with players on blitz pickup before. If McGowan can show even average proficiency in pass protection by training camp, he could easily leapfrog other depth options on the roster.

Physical and Athletic Profile: What the Numbers Say

At the NFL Scouting Combine, Seth McGowan measured in at a compact 5-foot-11, 215 pounds. That is ideal size for an NFL running back—thick enough to absorb punishment but with enough lower-body mass to drive through arm tackles. His athletic testing was solid, if not spectacular, which is why he fell to the seventh round.

Here is a breakdown of his athletic markers:

• 40-Yard Dash: 4.52 seconds (respectable, shows good burst but not elite top speed).
• Vertical Jump: 35 inches (shows explosive lower-body power).
• Broad Jump: 10 feet, 2 inches (excellent for his size, indicates ability to generate force).
• 3-Cone Drill: 7.08 seconds (good change-of-direction agility, which matches his tape).

What these numbers tell us is that McGowan is a linear athlete with suddenness. He is not going to run away from NFL secondaries, but he will consistently fall forward, pick up 4-5 yards on first down, and make the first defender miss. His 3-cone time suggests he can cut without losing speed, a trait that translates directly to zone-running schemes.

Expert Analysis: How McGowan Fits the Colts’ System

The Colts have long favored a zone-blocking scheme under offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. This scheme relies on running backs who can read the flow of the defense, make one cut, and get vertical. McGowan’s film at Kentucky shows he is a natural one-cut runner. He does not dance. He presses the hole, commits, and runs with forward lean.

Furthermore, the Colts have been searching for a reliable third-down back. While Taylor is the bell cow, the team needs a player who can catch passes out of the backfield and provide a safety valve. McGowan’s 64 targets over two seasons suggest he has the hands to handle that role. He caught 48 of those targets, dropping only a handful. His route tree is simple—mostly flats, angles, and swing routes—but he catches the ball away from his body, which is a non-negotiable for NFL quarterbacks.

Prediction for 2026 Rookie Season

I expect Seth McGowan to make the Colts’ 53-man roster out of training camp, but his role will be defined by his ability to learn pass protection. If he struggles early, he may be a healthy scratch for the first few weeks. However, by mid-season, I predict he will carve out a niche as the RB2 or RB3.

Look for him to get 40-60 carries in 2026, primarily in relief of Taylor and in garbage time. Where he will truly shine is on special teams. McGowan has the frame and willingness to be a core special-teamer, covering kicks or returning them. The Colts value versatility, and McGowan offers it in spades.

Conclusion: A Seventh-Round Steal in the Making?

Draft analysts often overuse the term “steal,” but in the context of the 237th pick, Seth McGowan has the profile to outplay his draft slot. He has proven he can produce against SEC defenses. He has a career average of 3.22 yards after contact, which is a metric that translates to the NFL. He forces missed tackles at an elite rate. And he has legitimate hands out of the backfield.

The only question mark—pass protection—is a fixable flaw. If McGowan can put in the work with the Colts’ coaching staff, he could become the kind of versatile, dependable depth piece that championship teams rely on. For a Colts team looking to solidify its backfield behind a superstar, Seth McGowan is a low-risk, high-reward addition.

Keep an eye on this name in training camp. He might just be the Colts’ best-kept secret of the 2026 draft class.

Source: Based on news from Yahoo Sports.