QB Daniel Jones
2025 QB Rank – No. 12, 19.0 FPts/G
The Indianapolis Colts entered training camp last year unsure of
who their quarterback was going to be -- Daniel Jones or the raw-but-still-promising
Anthony Richardson.
The team made its decision by mid-August, choosing Jones to lead
the offense. Jones didn't disappoint. He guided the Colts to a 7-1
record before suffering a season-ending injury on December 7, while
tossing 13 touchdowns against only three interceptions and providing
unlikely production to fantasy teams everywhere. In fact, Jones
played well enough that some were whispering about him as a midseason
MVP candidate.
An Achilles tear in Week 14 at Jacksonville, however, prematurely
ended the best season of Jones' career. There are expectations that
he will participate in full-team practices at some point during
training camp, which bodes well for his Week 1 availability. If
that happens, fantasy managers should keep two things in mind. First,
Jones' injury will almost certainly limit his mobility, at least
early in the season. Second, losing Michael Pittman Jr. -- the team's
leading receiver in 2025 -- is no small thing. A quarterback returning
from a major lower-body injury, coupled with a thinned-out receiving
corps, is not the ideal recipe for success. Jones' ranking as a
bottom-half QB2 with upside makes him a worthwhile late-round gamble,
but you'll want a dependable starter ahead of him. Counting on Jones
as anything more than a matchup play early in the season could prove
disastrous.
Jonathan Taylor's magical 2025 season paid huge dividends for fantasy
managers who grabbed him in the second round last year. He delivered
explosive production throughout the first two-thirds of the season,
especially from Weeks 5 through 10. During that six-week stretch,
he scored 13 total touchdowns while hauling in 17 receptions. Additionally,
his four separate three-touchdown games made him just the fifth
running back this century to accomplish that feat, joining LaDainian
Tomlinson, Priest Holmes, Shaun Alexander, and Derrick Henry.
Conventional wisdom says Taylor should be one of the first three
running backs selected in 2026. He's a true workhorse who rarely
comes off the field and plays for a coaching staff that trusts
him. Plus, the backs behind him don't present much of a threat
to his workload. All of that is true. But expecting Taylor to
replicate the video-game numbers he routinely produced in 2025
is unrealistic. RB1 production should absolutely be expected,
but some regression is likely. A season with double-digit touchdowns
and 1,800 total yards is still well within reach. Draft him in
the top half of the first round and sleep well.
With Michael Pittman Jr. now in Pittsburgh, Alec Pierce becomes
the new alpha dog in Indianapolis' receiver room. The Colts appear
comfortable with that transition, signing the former Cincinnati
Bearcat to a lucrative four-year, $116 million contract this offseason.
That's a significant investment for a player who had never topped
47 receptions in a season before finally eclipsing the 1,000-yard
mark in Year 4 (1,003 receiving yards). It's worth noting, however,
that Pierce led the NFL with an eye-popping 21.3 yards per reception
-- nearly four yards better than the next closest player, Christian
Watson (17.5).
Fantasy managers remain somewhat lukewarm on Pierce (ankle) entering
draft season. His lack of consistent, high-end production, uncertainty
surrounding Daniel Jones' return from injury, and the absence of
another proven receiving threat to draw defensive attention all
contribute to the skepticism. Even so, Pierce offers intriguing
upside as a WR3 or flex option who could deliver WR2 production
in favorable matchups.
As mentioned above, questions abound about Indianapolis' passing
game. A quarterback returning from injury and a receiver room where
no one has experience in the role they're expected to fill in 2026
will do that. But Josh Downs finds himself in an intriguing spot.
Michael Pittman's 111 targets from last season have to go somewhere,
and Downs is well-positioned to absorb a sizable share of them.
Since his yards per reception have declined in each of his first
three seasons, the Colts may continue utilizing him on short throws
that allow him to create after the catch. That could be fantasy
gold in PPR formats.
Downs isn't a high-volume receiver, nor is he a prolific touchdown
scorer. He is, however, a savvy route runner with a slight frame
who has an opportunity to outperform his draft position. He makes
for a quality depth piece capable of delivering useful fantasy
weeks when called upon. You could do a lot worse for your WR4.
And by the way, the Week 9 matchup in Dallas, where he'll line
up across from his brother, rookie CB Caleb Downs, should be a
fun storyline to watch.
The Colts had high expectations for Tyler Warren entering his
rookie season. They believed his background as a high school quarterback
would provide a foundation for creating unique ways to utilize the
former Penn State standout. That belief paid off, as Warren produced
one of the better rookie tight end seasons of the past decade. His
numbers didn't jump off the page -- he never recorded a 100-yard
receiving game -- but his consistent role provided a reliable fantasy
floor. That was underscored by Warren leading the team with 112
targets, a number that could climb even higher now that Pittman
is in Pittsburgh.
Warren entered 2025 as a low-end TE1. One year later, with an expanded
role on the horizon, he's firmly in the conversation as one of fantasy's
top-five tight ends entering 2026. Fantasy managers should also
expect him to remain heavily involved near the goal line, creating
scoring opportunities as both a runner and a receiver. There's a
realistic path for Warren to finish as a top-two fantasy tight end.
At worst, he's a must-have TE1 in 2026.
