Indianapolis Colts

Daniel Jones→ his ranking

Jones's first three seasons in New York produced a 12-25 record, 45 passing touchdowns, and 49 turnovers (29 interceptions and 36 fumbles – 20 lost). He averaged just 6.6 yards per pass attempt and showed most of his 300-yard passing ability early in his career (five of these six games came in his rookie year). His legs were consistently his most reliable asset, as he rushed 172 times for 1,000 yards and five scores at 5.8 yards per carry over that stretch.

A neck injury ended Jones’s 2021 season after Week 12. Outside of a strong Week 4 (429 combined yards and two touchdowns), he failed to throw more than two scores in any game that year.

His 2022 season brought genuine improvement in some areas. A new coaching staff unlocked his rushing ability even further (120 carries, 708 yards, and seven touchdowns), and his completion rate (67.2%) reached a new top, with three consecutive years of improvement. Turnovers dropped sharply (five interceptions and three lost fumbles). His passing volume remained low (29.5 attempts per game), and Jones topped 300 yards only three times while finishing with 200 or fewer passing yards in 12 of 18 appearances, including the postseason. From 2020 to 2022, he threw just 36 passing touchdowns over 41 games.

In 2023, Jones developed a right knee injury in early October in his fifth start, leading to two missed games, followed by a season-ending ACL tear in Week 9. When on the field, he posted a strong completion rate (67.5%) but managed only 5.7 yards per attempt and absorbed sacks on nearly 16% of his drop-backs, more than double his rate from his first 54 games. Jones had one impact performance (380 combined yards and three touchdowns) over his five starts.

Over his final season with the Giants in 2024, Jones went 2-8 over 10 starts with just 10 touchdowns, posting a four-year low in completion rate (63.3%) and continuing to struggle in yards per attempt (6.1). He topped 20.00 fantasy points four times and remained a willing runner despite a dip in efficiency (67 carries, 265 yards, two scores at 4.5 yards per carry), but it wasn't enough to save his tenure with the Giants.

The move to Indianapolis was electric for Jones over his first eight starts. He gained 2,148 combined yards with 17 touchdowns and four interceptions, highlighted by a 7-1 record and 270 points scored. Despite his success, Jones ran the ball less than expected (30/86/4 – 2.9 yards per rush). His ability to drive the ball downfield (8.5 yards per pass attempt) with a higher completion rate (71.2%) allowed the Colts to move the chains and take advantage of the power running of Jonathan Taylor.

A torn Achilles ended his year in Week 14, but Jones had been playing through a fractured left fibula for a couple of weeks, which may have been when his Achilles issue first arose. As a result of his issues, Jones wasn’t the same player over his final four games (61.9% completion rate and 7.3 yards per pass attempt), resulting in 1,053 combined yards with seven touchdowns and four interceptions.

Jones comes into this draft season as a QB2 in the early draft season in the National Fantasy Football Championship with free ADP (207). His progress over the summer will push him up draft boards, but the lack of length to his resume won’t move the needle for many drafters.

When at his best last season, Jones averaged 23.46 fantasy points in four-point passing touchdown leagues, which is worthy of a top-five quarterback outcome if repeated for 17 games. At the very least, he is worth a flier as a QB2 or even QB3 to see how well Jones plays early in September. Two dates with the Houston Texans’ defense aren’t ideal, and the Jaguars should continue to improve on the defensive side of the ball.

Anthony Richardson→ his ranking

Richardson is a physically imposing quarterback prospect (6'4", 245 pounds, with a 4.43 forty), whose athleticism and arm talent are undeniable. The concerns are equally clear: his 54.7% career completion rate reflects real accuracy issues, and his limited college experience left his throwing mechanics and ability to read NFL defenses underdeveloped. He has a natural feel for pressure and the toughness to hang in the pocket, and he's a legitimate big-play threat when given space to run, with an open-field style that draws comparisons closer to Lamar Jackson than to Jalen Hurts. Downfield, he can deliver with touch and precision when a receiver has a clean window, but timing routes over the short areas of the field remain a consistent weakness.

With the Florida Gators, Richardson saw limited action in 2021 before making 12 starts in 2022. His rushing production was exceptional (103 carries, 654 yards, and nine touchdowns), but his passing raised questions: a 53.8% completion rate, just 27.3 attempts per game, and 2,549 yards with 17 touchdowns and nine interceptions against modest competition.

His NFL debut was injury-shortened from the start. He played just two full games in 2023, totaling 519 combined yards and five touchdowns before a concussion and a right shoulder AC joint issue ended his season in Week 5.

Things deteriorated even more in 2024; Indianapolis lost confidence in Richardson, and injuries again cost him six starts. His completion rate dropped to 47.7%, a number that's impossible to sustain for a starting NFL quarterback. He showed his big-play ability by gaining 20 or more yards on 28 of his 126 completions, with six reaching the 40-yard mark.

Over his first three starts, he threw three touchdowns against six interceptions while adding modest rushing value (18 carries, 117 yards, and a score). The following seven starts brought more of the same (1,160 passing yards, five touchdowns, and six more interceptions), but he was more active on the ground (65 carries, 358 yards, and five scores). His rushing production offers a path to relevance, but the accuracy issues have yet to show any meaningful improvement.

Richardson battled hip, oblique, and back issues in 2024. A June shoulder issue heading into last season put him in backup quarterback mode over the summer. He suited up for only 14 plays in 2025 due to suffering an eye injury in October. Richardson is set to be a free agent next year.

Riley Leonard

Leonard spent three underwhelming seasons at Duke (382-for-619, 4,450 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions) before transferring to Notre Dame, where the Fighting Irish handed him full control of the offense in 2024. He responded with career highs in completions (269), attempts (403), and completion rate (66.7%), but showed some weakness in his yards per pass attempt (7.3). Notre Dame went 14-2, with their only loss coming in the National Championship game.

His legs were his most dangerous weapon. Leonard rushed 184 times for 906 yards and 17 touchdowns, building on similarly strong rushing numbers in 2022 (124 carries, 699 yards, and 13 scores). He topped 100 rushing yards twice, scored two or more rushing touchdowns in four games, and received double-digit rushing attempts in 13 of his starts. He did undergo ankle surgery both before and after the season, which bears monitoring.

As a passer, Leonard profiles as a first-read quarterback with limited value as a traditional play-caller. At 6'4" and 215 pounds, he looks the part physically, but his experience managing a high-volume passing attack is minimal despite last year's improvement. He operated behind a strong offensive line, which allowed 20 sacks, and benefited significantly from play-action plays, with defenses regularly committing to stop the run. His instinct to take off and run was evident early in plays, often triggering before he had fully worked through his progressions.

At this stage, Leonard is a developmental project at the NFL level. He'll need meaningful reps and considerable growth in reading defenses and working through his full progression before earning serious consideration as a starter.

Injuries to Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson gave Leonard value experience in his rookie year, but he only made one start (Week 18 vs. the Texans – 291 combined yards with three touchdowns, an interception, and a lost fumble). His success may have left the Colts wondering why they gave away three development games to Philip Rivers (0-3 with 181 passing yards per game, four touchdowns, and three interceptions).

Jonathan Taylor→ his ranking

Taylor announced his presence in 2022 with a dominant Week 1 (175 combined yards, a touchdown, and four catches on 35 touches) before a toe issue in late September gave way to an ankle injury requiring surgery. He missed six games and was largely a non-factor in the contests surrounding his absence, with one bright spot in Week 10 (22 carries, 147 yards, a touchdown, and two catches for 16 yards). In his 10 full starts, Indianapolis gave him 21.9 touches per game.

His ankle surgery lingered into 2023, costing Taylor the first four games. The Colts eased him back over the following two weeks (99 combined yards and six catches on 20 touches), before he found his rhythm over his next five starts (377 rushing yards, four touchdowns, and 10 catches for 75 yards and a score, averaging 16.04 PPR fantasy points per game). A broken left thumb then cost him three more games. Taylor closed the season on a strong note, rushing 69 times for 327 yards and three touchdowns over his final three contests, but his passing game involvement was minimal (three catches for 16 yards).

Taylor carried his 2023 late-season momentum into 2024, though injuries remained a constant companion. He missed three games with an ankle issue but opened the season with four productive starts (72 carries, 349 yards, four touchdowns, and six catches for 77 yards). After returning from injury, Indianapolis kept him at just over 20 touches per game, but his effectiveness dipped, averaging only 11.60 PPR fantasy points during that stretch. He closed the year on a tear, topping 100 rushing yards in each of his final four games with a combined 580 yards and six touchdowns on 117 carries, with repeated weakness with his receiving chances (four catches for 18 yards on eight targets).

Last season, Taylor shook the injury-risk tag by suiting up for 17 games for only the second time in his career. He dominated the Broncos’ defense in Week 2 (25/165 with two catches for 50 yards and one score), setting up a monumental scoring run over his next eight starts (146/903/15 – 6.2 yards per carry with 25 catches for 183 yards and another touchdown). The Colts’ stud back averaged 28.70 PPR fantasy points over this span.

The lack of a trusted starting quarterback, after the Daniel Jones injury, led to tighter run lanes for Taylor (134/446/3 – 3.3 yards per carry) and a sharp decline in fantasy value (12.91 FPPG) over his final six matchups. Despite his regression, he averaged 21.4 touches per game over this span.

The Colts have given 321 and 379 touches over the past two seasons, and he showcased the same level of workload in 2022 (372 touches). Taylor has the tools and opportunity to be a fantasy beast if he makes another 17 starts in 2026. Indianapolis will ride him hard in his contract season while still having the power to franchise Taylor after 2026. I can’t dismiss 2,000 combined yards with 20 touchdowns and four catches this year.

DJ Giddens→ his ranking

Indianapolis added Giddens in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Over his final two seasons at Kansas State, he gained over 1,000 rushing yards in each year (223/1,226/10 and 205/1,343/7) while averaging 6.0 yards per carry. Giddens also had 50 catches for 581 yards and four touchdowns.

At the NFL Combine, he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash. Giddens relies more on his speed and vision than on power in the heat of his runs. His running style requires patience, but he takes multiple strides to reach his top gear.

In his rookie season, the Colts gave Giddens only 70 snaps with no missed time due to an injury. He gained 96 yards on 26 carries (3.7 yards per rush), with no catches on two targets.

Seth McGowan→ his ranking

McGowan turns 26 in October, which led to him slipping to the seventh round of this year’s draft despite a productive college career. He began at Oklahoma in 2020, showing early promise with 571 combined yards, four touchdowns, and 13 catches over eight games before an off-field incident led to his dismissal from their program. A personal family loss compounded this setback and kept him away from the game for three years. McGowan eventually resurfaced at New Mexico State and Kentucky, where he spent the past two seasons, totaling 1,951 combined yards, 18 touchdowns, and 42 catches on 359 touches.

At the 2026 NFL Combine, McGowan ran a 4.49 forty, a reasonable time for a back carrying his frame (6'0" and 225 pounds). He profiles as an early-down thumper with some limitations to account for. Ball security is a concern, and he lacks the explosiveness to consistently win in space. Getting off the snap quicker would help him reach the second level before defenders can close, an area that will need improvement at the next level. His passing game upside is limited, but his value in pass protection should help him get on the field in his rookie season.

Alec Pierce→ his ranking

Pierce's rookie season was a quiet one overall. He caught 41 of 78 targets for 593 yards and two touchdowns, opening with a zero in Week 1 and a missed game before showing some life over the following four contests (3/61, 4/80, 8/81, and 3/49/1 on 27 combined targets). He closed out the year with WR3 snaps but managed just one other worthwhile performance (4/86/1) over his final 11 games, finishing with 23 catches for 322 yards and a touchdown in that stretch.

His playing time increased sharply in 2023, leading to Pierce leading all Colts receivers with a 94.9% snap share, but the production didn't follow. He caught just 32 of 65 targets for 514 yards and two touchdowns, recording three catches or fewer in 16 of his 17 starts. His only fantasy-viable outing came in Week 13 (3/100/1).

The arrival of Adonai Mitchell in 2024 appeared to threaten Pierce's role, but Indianapolis found a way to deploy him as a deep threat instead. The results were his best yet (22.3 yards per catch and 20-plus yard gains on 13 catches, with seven reaching the 40-yard mark). He set career highs in receiving yards (824) and touchdowns (7). He averaged 4.4 PPR fantasy points per catch, making him a high-upside option whenever he found the end zone or broke free for a deep catch.

Last season, Pierce continued on his deep threat path by setting career highs in catches (47), receiving yards (1,003), and targets (84). He gained an impressive 21.3 yards per catch, which also led to a low catch rate (56.0%). Pierce scored six times while gaining 20 yards or more on 17 catches (five gained at least 40 yards). His best fantasy value came after Week 8 (6/115, 4/84/1, 4/78/1, 4/86/2), when Indianapolis was scoring the least.

The Colts signed Pierce to a four-year deal for $116 million in March while moving on from Michael Pittman. He comes off a WR28 season in PPR formats (183.30) while missing two games earlier in the year with a concussion. Pierce had minor ankle surgery in late April that should sideline him until the end of July.

Update 6/11/2026: Pierce had left shoulder surgery this spring (late March/early April). His recovery time looks to be multiple months, which suggests he may not be ready for Week 1.

Josh Downs→ his ranking

Downs carved out a WR3 role as a rookie, finishing with 68 catches for 771 yards and two touchdowns on 98 targets. He was the most productive over a six-game stretch from Week 3 to Week 8 (8/57, 2/34, 6/97, 5/21/1, 5/125/1, and 7/72), before fading considerably over the final nine games (just 28 catches for 289 yards and no touchdowns on 42 targets, averaging 6.42 PPR fantasy points per game). A knee issue that surfaced in Week 9 was a significant factor in that second-half regression.

2024 opened with two missed games due to an ankle injury, but Downs cranked up his fantasy value from Week 4 through Week 11. He delivered starting-caliber fantasy numbers in seven of eight games (8/82/1, 9/69, 7/66/1, 4/109/1, 6/60, 7/72, and 5/84/1). A shoulder injury cost him another game, and the Colts then largely ignored him over four other matchups (three catches or fewer in each). He closed the regular season on a high note with 10 catches for 94 yards on 13 targets in Week 18, offering a reminder of what he's capable of when featured in the Colts’ offense.

The addition of Tyler Warren had the most impact on Downs’s opportunity last year. He comes off career lows in catches (58), receiving yards (566), touchdowns (4), and targets (4) while gaining only 9.8 yards per catch. Downs slipped to WR43 in PPR formats (137.90 fantasy points) due to scoring fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in half of his 16 games. His best fantasy value came in Week 6 (6/42/1) and Week 9 (6/57/1). A concussion knocked him out of Week 7.

Nick Westbrook-Ikhine→ his ranking

Westbrook-Ikhine's two seasons as the Tennessee Titans' WR2 were underwhelming on the whole. He caught 25 of 50 targets for 397 yards and three touchdowns in 2022, with one standout game (five catches, 119 yards, and two scores), followed by a nearly identical 2023 (28 catches for 370 yards and three touchdowns on 45 targets).

2024 was his most productive yet, setting career highs in targets (60), receiving yards (497), and touchdowns (9) on 32 catches. He was particularly hot at midseason, scoring in seven of eight games during one stretch. His limitations were hard to ignore; a 53.3% catch rate and three catches or fewer in 11 of his final 13 games made him a boom-or-bust option at best.

His 6'2", 210-pound frame makes him a natural red zone target, which is where most of his value lives. Six of his nine touchdowns came inside the 20-yard line, underlining his profile as a scoring-dependent fantasy asset rather than a reliable volume contributor.

With Miami in 2025, the Dolphins gave Westbrook-Ikhine 39.3% of their snaps, resulting in a lost season (11 catches for 89 yards on 20 targets).

Deion Burks→ his ranking

The Colts took a seventh-round flier on Burks in the 2026 NFL Draft. In his third season at Purdue in 2023, he caught 47 of his 92 targets for 629 yards and seven touchdowns, leading to a transfer to Oklahoma. Unfortunately, Burks missed eight games the next season due to a thigh injury and a concussion. He rebounded the next year, leading to a career high in catches (57) with 620 yards and four touchdowns on 89 targets.

Burks brings elite speed (4.30 40-yard dash at the 2026 NFL Combine) with surprising strength (26 reps of 225 lbs.) for his frame (5’10” and 180 lbs). His route running has areas of need, while having a small catch radius. He is at his best when creating an edge with his first step and moving to daylight at the first level of a defense. Despite his expected advantage in speed, winning over the long field isn’t a part of the field where he excels. Burks must learn to drive to the football better and finish off his pass patterns, especially when moving back toward the quarterback.

Tyler Warren→ his ranking

Warren saw limited action over his first four seasons at Penn State, totaling 49 catches for 606 yards and 11 touchdowns before breaking out in 2024 as the focal point of their offense. He led the nation with 104 catches while adding 1,233 receiving yards and eight scores, and Penn State also used him as a runner on some plays (26 carries, 218 yards, and four touchdowns) to maximize his impact on the field. He even had six pass attempts on the year, completing three for 35 yards and a touchdown.

His best performances came away from home: a dominant 17-catch, 228-yard, and one-touchdown outing at USC, along with 100-yard games at Purdue (8/130/2) and Minnesota (8/102). He recorded at least six catches in 10 of his 16 starts, demonstrating the kind of consistency that's rare at the position.

Impact tight ends are among the hardest players to find in any draft class, and Warren has the traits to become one. He wins contested catches, creates separation over the short and intermediate areas of the field, and brings speed and quickness after the catch. His blocking is functional on quick-hitting run plays, but he'll need to prove himself against elite pass rushers when asked to chip and hold in pass protection, a key developmental area as he transitions to the NFL.

In last year’s high-stakes drafts, Warren was the 11th-ranked tight end. He beat expectations by finishing fifth in PPR fantasy points (188.50). The Colts' star tight end finished second on the team in catches (76) and receiving yards (817) while drawing the top spot in targets (112).

Despite his success, Warren lost his mojo over his final 10 games (scoring under 10.00 fantasy points eight times). In addition, he failed to deliver any impact games, which was tied to his low scoring (four touchdowns). Warren scored between 11.00 and 18.50 fantasy points in eight contests, with six coming over the first seven weeks (7/79, 4/79, 5/73, 4/44/1, 6/63/1, and 4/69/1).

Spencer Shrader

In Week 5 last season, Shrader suffered a torn ACL in his right knee after getting hit while kicking an extra point. He opened the year with 13 of his 14 field goals going through the uprights. His only missed came from over 50 yards (1-for-2). Shrader was perfect across his 12 extra points. Over his first three seasons in the NFL, he was unable to secure a starting job despite making all of his kicks (5-for-5 in field goals and 9-for-9 in extra points).

Last year, the Colts rotated in three kickers last season due to injuries. They made 42 of 45 of their extra point tries, with a high level of success in field goals (34-for-36), with seven of nine kicks going through the uprights from 50 yards or more. Indianapolis scored 53 touchdowns in 2025.