Indianapolis Colts News

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has been trending up in dynasty leagues. The 24-year-old receiver's dynasty stock has benefitted from the Colts' decision to trade Michael Pittman Jr., which should leave Downs in line to start alongside Alec Pierce. While Pierce projects as the Colts' top receiver after his big payday, Downs has the potential to carve out a fantasy-relevant role. This offense is good enough to support two fantasy-relevant receivers for several years to come, especially as long as Daniel Jones is under center. Downs has ranked between WR35 and WR44 in each of his three NFL seasons, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him take a big step forward and post the best fantasy finish of his career in 2026. Downs set a new career low in catches, yards, and fantasy points last year, softening his price tag in dynasty leagues. Managers should take advantage of this discount and send out trade offers for the UNC product before his potential Year 4 breakout.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) posted the most productive season of his career in 2025, recording 47 catches for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 84 targets across 15 games. The Colts rewarded him in the offseason, handing him a four-year, $114 million contract. The new money comes with new responsibility as well, as Pierce could shift into Indy's WR1 role following the team's offseason trade of wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Pierce showed signs of becoming a more well-rounded wide receiver in 2025, but he's still never averaged more than 5.6 targets per game in a season and is heavily reliant on downfield production. Pierce is also recovering from offseason ankle surgery, which isn't expected to impact his availability to open 2026 but could be a limiting factor on his performance. If the Colts' passing game as a whole takes a step back in quarterback Daniel Jones' (Achilles) first year back from a torn Achilles, Pierce's production may not take the leap many are expecting. In dynasty formats, managers may want to look to capitalize on the growing hype around Pierce with a sell-high trade.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) was seen taking part in OTA practice on Wednesday after missing nearly six months with an Achilles tendon tear that he suffered in Week 14 of last year against the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Jones reportedly did all individual drills. He will most likely remain limited for the rest of OTAs and probably for minicamp in June, but come training camp this summer, he could be closer to a full-go. Barring a setback, the former first-round signal-caller by the New York Giants out of Duke will have a shot to be ready for the Week 1 regular-season opener in early September. We'll have a better idea of the 29-year-old's availability for the start of the 2026 regular season during training camp, but right now, things are looking good. Jones was in the midst of a career-best season in his first year in Indy before tearing his Achilles, and he finished with 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in 13 starts for the Colts. But coming off a major Achilles injury, fantasy managers should be skeptical that he can repeat it in 2026. RotoBaller currently has him ranked as the No. 24 QB in single-year formats.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor was playing at an elite level for most of last year, but his production took a hit after quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury. Taylor ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. We could see Taylor return to that level in 2026, as Jones is projected to be healthy for Week 1. Additionally, the Colts might adopt more of a run-heavy approach in 2026 after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. The good news for Taylor is that the Colts didn't bring in any major competition, so the backfield should belong to him once again. If he can stay healthy, he projects to average 20+ touches per game. There's both short-term and long-term appeal, as Taylor is still just 27 years old and ranks as the overall RB6 in RotoBaller's latest dynasty fantasy football rankings.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) battled through a nightmarish season in 2025. After losing his starting job to Colts veteran Daniel Jones (Achilles) in training camp, Richardson Sr. fractured his orbital bone during pre-game warmups in October after a freak accident with a stretch band. While Richardson Sr. is expected to be ready to go for the start of 2026, he does not appear to be in the team's plans for the future. Jones is locked in as the Colts QB1, and Richardson Sr. may enter 2026 behind Riley Leonard on the Indianapolis quarterback depth chart as well. Without a change in scenery, it may be tough for Richardson Sr. to provide any fantasy value. At the same time, Richardson Sr. is entering just his age-24 season and still offers elite rushing potential at the quarterback position if he can ever get another starting opportunity. In the deepest of dynasty leagues, Richardson Sr. could be worth buying and stashing in a bench spot while his value is at its lowest.

After being drafted in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens spent most of his rookie year as an afterthought in his team's offense. Giddens spent a significant portion of the season as a healthy scratch on game days and finished the year with just 96 yards from scrimmage on 26 touches across nine contests. As long as star Colts running back Jonathan Taylor can stay healthy, Giddens has no path to fantasy-relevant production in Indianapolis. However, the 22-year-old appears to have a clear path to the Colts RB2 role, with 2026 seventh-rounder Seth McGowan currently profiling as his strongest competition. Should Giddens emerge as the primary backup in Indianapolis, he would carry obvious handcuff appeal behind Taylor, who has amassed 690 touches over the past two seasons. In deeper dynasty leagues, Giddens could be a worthy buy-low candidate.

Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan could be in the mix for playing time as a rookie, in addition to being an intriguing long-term stash for dynasty fantasy football. Selected in the seventh round of this year's NFL Draft, McGowan should compete for the backup role behind Jonathan Taylor. He's not the favorite to back up Taylor, as DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley both have a leg up on McGowan because of their NFL experience, but he's in the mix nonetheless. After all, McGowan has shown that he can produce against higher levels of competition. Last year at Kentucky, he tallied 725 rushing yards, 126 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns. Taylor is the only Colts running back who should be started on a weekly basis, but whichever running back ends up being his handcuff represents a very encouraging stash in dynasty leagues. McGowan projects as an early fourth-round pick in 2026 fantasy football rookie drafts.

Indianapolis Colts second-year tight end Tyler Warren was very impressive in his first year in the NFL and finished as the TE6 in half-PPR scoring with 76 catches on his 112 targets for 817 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games played. The 23-year-old out of Penn State was the 14th overall pick in last year's draft, and he did not disappoint as the Colts finally appear to have found a long-term, high-end pass-catching option at the position. Most of Warren's production in 2025 came in the first half of the season, as he averaged 61.7 receiving yards in his first 10 NFL games before falling to 28.6 yards in his last seven games. It didn't help that starting quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) suffered a season-ending injury late in the year. With Jones expected to return in 2026 after signing a two-year extension, it cements Warren in as a top-five dynasty TE, especially since the Colts traded away receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs saw his production drop across the board in 2025, as he recorded 58 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns on 88 targets across 16 games. After averaging 7.6 targets per game in 2024, Downs earned just 5.5 targets per game last season. The Colts addition of 2025 first-round tight end Tyler Warren played a big role in Downs' diminished role, as Warren soaked up many of the short and intermediate-area targets in the team's offense. While Warren's role in the passing game will likely only grow in 2026, Downs' production outlook is still trending upward following Indianapolis' offseason trade of wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. Outside of Alec Pierce, who is best known for his work as a downfield threat, Downs profiles as the only other proven wideout in Indianapolis. Due to his expected uptick in target volume, Downs has clear buy-low appeal for dynasty managers.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) is currently recovering from offseason ankle surgery. However, the 26-year-old is expected to be ready for the start of the 2026 season after signing a four-year, $114 million contract with Indianapolis earlier this spring. Pierce put together the most productive season of his career in 2025, hauling in 47 receptions for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns on 84 targets across 15 games. While Pierce's ability to win down the field remains the best aspect of his profile, he averaged a career-high 5.6 targets per game last season. He'll also be asked to step into a true WR1 role with the Colts in 2026 following the team's trade of former wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Assuming Pierce makes it through his current ankle issue without any hiccups, his dynasty stock is rising after his promising 2025 campaign.

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen said on Friday that quarterback Daniel Jones (Achilles) could take part in 7-on-7 drills during organized team activities later this month, although the team will be cautious as he recovers from a torn right Achilles tendon, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. With Jones being limited, it will open the door for second-year QB Riley Leonard and Anthony Richardson Sr. to see more reps this spring. Jones continues to rehab from his season-ending injury a year ago, and it was reported several weeks ago that he was dropping back and throwing passes. Because it's unclear as of now if Jones will be fully cleared for the start of the 2026 campaign this fall, Jones should be considered a low-end QB2 option for fantasy managers despite his strong season in 2025 in his first year in Indy. The 28-year-old former sixth overall pick by the New York Giants in 2019 out of Duke completed a career-high 68% of his 384 pass attempts for 3,101 yards, 19 touchdowns, and eight interceptions in his 13 starts before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jaguars.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has the potential to bounce back as the overall RB1 in fantasy football during the 2026 season. Taylor was well on his way to the overall RB1 spot during the first half of last season. He ranked as the RB1 in PPR leagues from Week 1 to Week 10, and it wasn't particularly close; he was a full 25.1 points ahead of the RB2 during that span, Christian McCaffrey, and a full 89.9 points ahead of the RB4, Jahmyr Gibbs. Unfortunately, a slow second half (largely due to Daniel Jones' season-ending injury) derailed that trajectory. The good news is that Jones (Achilles) is trending toward playing in Week 1, and the Colts could also go a little more run-heavy after trading away Michael Pittman Jr. If Jones and Taylor can both stay healthy for the full year -- which is admittedly far from guaranteed -- then the 27-year-old could certainly be the highest-scoring running back and a league winner in redraft formats. There's a little less upside in dynasty leagues, though, given that Taylor is already 27 years old. Even if he does have a bounce-back year in 2026, he's almost certainly on the back half of his career. Most dynasty managers should hold Taylor for now. However, managers looking to win now in a championship window could consider trading for him this offseason, banking on the fact that last year's RB4 finishes even higher this year.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (eye) reported for voluntary offseason workouts on Monday after he stayed home the last two weeks, a source told Stephen Holder of ESPN. Richardson, whose future is cloudy in Indy, at best, requested a trade this offseason. But the Colts seemingly aren't close to trading him and haven't indicated that they will release him, so the former fourth overall pick has reported to offseason workouts. The Colts unexpectedly declined Richardson's fifth-year option for the 2027 season after he played in just 17 games (15 starts) in his first three seasons in the NFL due to injuries and inconsistency at the QB position. Despite tearing his Achilles tendon late last season, Daniel Jones received a two-year contract extension from the Colts, cementing him as the team's starting QB going forward. Indy is also high on Riley Leonard, so if Richardson sticks around in 2026 in the final year of his rookie deal, he could enter the regular season as the QB3. Richardson's dynasty fantasy value is currently at rock bottom.

A fifth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Indianapolis Colts running back DJ Giddens failed to carve out a consistent role in his team's offense as a rookie. Across nine games, the 22-year-old recorded 26 carries for 96 yards and failed to haul in a single reception out of the backfield. As long as superstar Colts running back Jonathan Taylor remains healthy, Giddens has no path to fantasy-relevant playing time in Indianapolis. Giddens could carry some value as a handcuff option, as his primary competition for the Colts RB2 role is 2026 seventh-rounder Seth McGowan. Still, Giddens has done little to this point in his NFL career to inspire confidence that Indianapolis would feel comfortable handing him the reins should Taylor go down. Coming off his underwhelming rookie season, Giddens' dynasty stock is trending down heading into 2026.

The Indianapolis Colts added depth for their running back room by taking former Kentucky RB Seth McGowan in the seventh round (No. 237 overall) of this year's NFL draft. The 24-year-old comes with plenty of off-the-field questions and maturity issues, as he was dismissed from Oklahoma's program after he was arrested in 2021. The 5-foot-11, 211-pounder spent a year at New Mexico State before finishing his collegiate career with Kentucky in 2025, where he had 165 carries for 725 yards and a career-high 12 rushing touchdowns in 11 games. He also added 19 catches for 126 yards as a receiver. McGowan is going to need to put his character concerns in the past if he wants to stick around in the NFL as a power back out of the backfield. Going into his first season in the NFL in 2026, McGowan figures to compete with DJ Giddens and Ulysses Bentley for playing time in Indy's backfield behind Pro Bowl starter Jonathan Taylor. McGowan has plenty to prove before fantasy managers in dynasty/keeper leagues use a roster spot on him.

Unsurprisingly, the Indianapolis Colts will not pick up the fifth-year option for quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr., a source told Mike Chappell of FOX 59. The fifth-year option was considered a long shot for Richardson, who was selected fourth overall in 2023 out of the University of Florida. If the Colts had picked up Richardson's fifth-year option, he would have been guaranteed $22.483 million in 2027. The 23-year-old signal-caller has struggled with injuries and inconsistency in his three years with the organization and has been benched twice. With the Colts signing Daniel Jones (Achilles) to a two-year extension this offseason, it's been made clear that Richardson is no longer the future in Indy, which is why he has requested a trade. The Colts are willing to deal Richardson at the right cost, but nothing has materialized yet. If A-Rich stays with the Colts, there's a chance he could open the 2026 season as the No. 3 behind Jones and Riley Leonard. His dynasty/keeper stock has reached rock bottom.

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren converted 106 targets into 76 receptions, 817 yards, and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2025, and his opportunities could be even more bountiful in Year 2. The Colts have been shedding wide receivers since their mid-season trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner, in which they sent 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets. Shortly into the new league year, the team dealt Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, and while they committed to Alec Pierce with a four-year, $114 million deal, Indianapolis has made no significant outside acquisitions through free agency or the draft. With Pittman gone, there is no player on the roster besides Warren who saw more than 84 targets last season, and the majority of passing work should now be divvied up between the trifecta of Warren, Pierce, and Josh Downs. Warren did see a significant decline in production following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Daniel Jones, so the quarterback situation in Indianapolis could hold significant weight in his ability to take the next step, but by all accounts, Jones is progressing well, and the team believes he will be ready for the start of the 2026 season. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE4, Warren is one of the few tight ends in the league in position to lead his team in targets and should remain a true fantasy difference-maker for the foreseeable future.

The Indianapolis Colts have selected Kentucky running back Seth McGowan with the 237th overall pick in the seventh round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Following stints with Oklahoma and New Mexico State, McGowan scored 12 rushing touchdowns in his lone season with the Wildcats. He profiles as an early-down, between-the-tackles runner who could struggle to find the field without a major injury in front of him. Jonathan Taylor was able to play in all 17 games in 2025, and the Colts spent a fifth-round pick on DJ Giddens in last year's draft, so without much of a receiving profile in his background, McGowan is unlikely to show up on many fantasy radars.

The Indianapolis Colts are targeting training camp for defensive tackle DeForest Buckner's (neck) return to the field after he had surgery on his neck in 2025, according to JJ Stankevitz of Colts.com. "He's in a really good spot," general manager Chris Ballard said. Buckner originally injured his neck in Week 9 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he returned for just one game in Week 16 against the San Francisco 49ers. As long as the 32-year-old veteran doesn't have any setbacks with his neck in training camp this summer, he should be ready for the start of the 2026 regular season in early September. Buckner is a former seventh overall pick in 2016 out of Oregon, and he's made three Pro Bowl teams while being named a first-team All-Pro once, so if he's fully healthy, he'll be a big part of Indy's defensive line. He had only four sacks in 10 games last year, but Buckner has racked up 71.5 sacks over 10 NFL seasons with the Giants and Colts.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had a bit of a down year in 2025, recording 58 receptions for 566 yards and four touchdowns on 88 targets across 16 games. The Colts' 2025 draft-day acquisition of tight end Tyler Warren and the emergence of wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) both limited Downs' role in his team's offense. After averaging 7.6 targets per game in 2024, Downs averaged just 5.5 targets per game in 2025. While Warren and Pierce both remain in Indianapolis, the Colts traded away veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr., who earned 111 targets last season. In Pittman Jr.'s absence, Downs should be in a position to play a more prominent role in the Indianapolis passing game. If the Colts do not add another big-name pass-catcher in the upcoming NFL Draft, Downs' dynasty value will almost certainly be on the rise. As such, now could be the best time for dynasty managers to buy low on Downs ahead of a possible bounce-back season.