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Seth McGowan • RB • Colts

Seth McGowan Requires Patience in Deeper Fantasy Leagues

Indianapolis Colts running back Seth McGowan is more of a bench swing than somebody fantasy managers should expect to use anytime soon. The seventh-round rookie made the 53-man roster after rushing for 725 yards and 12 touchdowns at Kentucky last season, and the Colts liked the physicality he showed throughout the preseason. There is still somebody in his way before Jonathan Taylor, though. Indianapolis currently lists DJ Giddens second on the depth chart and McGowan third, leaving the rookie without much of a standalone role heading into Week 1. The good news is that the Colts kept only three running backs on the active roster, so an injury could change things quickly. McGowan is rostered in just 1% of Yahoo leagues and sits in the 14-team range on the current waiver list. That's where he belongs for now. Deep benches can take the shot, but managers in standard leagues do not need to force it.

10 hours ago

Keenan Allen • WR • Colts

Is Keenan Allen Still Worth Rostering in Deeper Leagues?

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen spent most of the summer as a free agent before signing with Indianapolis in mid-August. The veteran wideout's tenure with the Colts has not gotten off to the cleanest start, as he was arrested on drunken driving charges on August 30. However, no league discipline for Allen has been announced and the Colts reportedly expect him to play in Week 1. As he enters his age-34 season, Allen is no longer the same player he once was at his peak. Still, he's logged over 120 targets in each of the past two seasons and finished 2025 with 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns across 17 games with the Los Angeles Chargers. The Colts have talented pass-catchers in tight end Tyler Warren and wide receivers Alec Pierce (ankle) and Josh Downs, but the team lacks an established number one option after trading away wideout Michael Pittman Jr. over the offseason. As long as he's active, Allen profiles as a high-floor deep-league wide receiver option.

Yesterday

Alec Pierce • WR • Colts

Alec Pierce Should Be Good to Go for Week 1

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) "should be good" to play in Sunday's season opener against Baltimore, head coach Shane Steichen said, according to Joel A. Erickson. Pierce underwent ankle surgery in March and spent nearly all of training camp on the Active/PUP list before finally returning to practice Aug. 27. The Colts have been ramping him up since then, with Week 1 always the target. Pierce is coming off the best season of his career, catching 47 passes for 1,003 yards and six touchdowns in 15 games. He also led the NFL with 21.3 yards per reception for the second straight year. After spending most of the summer rehabbing, Steichen's latest update is a strong sign Pierce will be back in the lineup when Indianapolis opens against the Ravens.

Yesterday

Tyler Warren • TE • Colts

Tyler Warren Carries High-End TE1 Upside with Improved QB Health

Across 17 games as a rookie in 2025, Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren recorded 76 catches for 817 yards and four touchdowns on 112 targets. The 24-year-old got off to a dominant start to the season, but his production tapered off down the stretch. From Week 12 onward, Warren recorded just one touchdown catch and failed to log more than 43 receiving yards in any game. However, Warren's worst run of the season largely correlated with the health of Colts QB1 Daniel Jones, who suffered a season-ending torn Achilles in Week 14. Heading into 2026, Jones will be back under center for Indianapolis. The Colts also traded away veteran wideout Michael Pittman Jr. over the offseason, which could put Warren in position to be the team's clear number one target in its passing game. Warren carries high-end TE1 potential for fantasy managers into 2026.

2 days ago

Keenan Allen • WR • Colts

Keenan Allen Losing Ground in a Crowded Passing Game

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen doesn't look quite as interesting as he did when he signed in August. Allen was arrested last weekend on misdemeanor charges related to operating a vehicle while intoxicated, though the Colts expect him to play Week 1 and no NFL discipline has been announced. More important for fantasy managers, Alec Pierce is back. Pierce returned from offseason ankle surgery and was a full participant in practice Thursday after spending most of the summer on PUP. He is coming off 1,003 receiving yards, and Allen also has Josh Downs and tight end Tyler Warren fighting for targets. Warren drew 112 of them last season, while Downs had 88. Allen can still get open and caught 81 passes for the Chargers last year, but those receptions produced 777 yards and four touchdowns. RotoBaller currently has him at WR61 in half-PPR formats, behind both Downs and Pierce. There's still a role for Allen here. It just doesn't look like one that needs to carry much fantasy upside.

2 days ago

Seth McGowan • RB • Colts

Colts Running Back Seth McGowan Turning Heads In Preseason

Indianapolis Colts backup running back Seth McGowan is projected to win the handcuff job to lead back Jonathon Taylor according to The Athletic's James Boyd. In an August 29 article, Boyd wrote, "McGowan has clearly won the second-string job thanks to his physicality and reliable hands out of the backfield." The seventh-round pick out of Kentucky in the 2026 Draft, McGowan stands at 6-foot-1 and is 223 pounds offering big-time size out of the backfield but as Boyd points out he can catch the ball as well and thus be involved in the passing game. McGowan had two catches for five yards each in the three preseason games and rushed 17 times for 64 yards. With McGowan seeming to prove himself as the backup to Taylor look for him as a very late round pick or a potential early season waiver wire option.

2 days ago

Josh Downs • WR • Colts

Josh Downs Looks Well-Positioned for a Resurgent Season in Indianapolis

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs had a down year in 2025, setting career lows in targets (88), receptions (58), and receiving yards (566). The offseason has been a roller coaster ride for his fantasy value, as Downs' stock appeared to be trending up following the Colts' trade of veteran star wideout Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then, Indianapolis signed veteran slot receiver Keenan Allen, throwing Downs' role in the team's offense back into question. Downs has also battled back and calf injuries this summer, limiting his availability for stretches of training camp. However, Downs has returned to practice and looks like he will be ready to go for the start of the regular season. The Colts wide receiver room outside of Downs also has questions, as Allen was recently arrested and charged with DUI, and top wideout Alec Pierce (ankle) has missed most of the summer while he recovers from ankle surgery. All in all, Downs profiles as a sleeper target in fantasy drafts ahead of what could be a resurgent season.

3 days ago

Jonathan Taylor • RB • Colts

Jonathan Taylor Poised for Another Productive Year

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor is poised to have another very productive season in 2026. Taylor ranked as the overall RB4 in PPR leagues last year, and even that finish was somewhat underwhelming relative to how dominant he started the season. Through the first 10 weeks last year, he scored a whopping 17 touchdowns while ranking as the RB1 in PPR leagues. In fact, during that span, he scored 25.1 points more than the RB2, Christian McCaffrey. He also had a torrid stretch where he recorded five different three-touchdown games within eight weeks. In other words, Taylor was playing at an MVP level before cooling off after the bye week (and after quarterback Daniel Jones went down with an Achilles injury). Jones is healthy again, restoring a semblance of life to this offense and potentially reigniting Taylor's upside as the overall RB1 if he can stay healthy. He is currently being drafted in the middle of the first round of fantasy drafts, typically as the fourth running back off the board.

5 days ago

Alec Pierce • WR • Colts

Alec Pierce Practices in Full on Thursday

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle) practiced in full on Thursday for the first time this summer after having ankle surgery in the spring, according to Nathan Brown of the Indianapolis Star. The Colts are just 10 days away from the Week 1 regular-season opener against the Baltimore Ravens, but now that Pierce is a full-go in practice, he should be expected to be active to kick off the season. General manager Chris Ballard said earlier this week that the "hope" is that the 26-year-old big-play receiver will be ready to roll versus Baltimore on Sunday, Sept. 13. Indy gave Pierce a new four-year, $114 million contract extension in March after he had a career-high 1,003 receiving yards and 47 receptions for six touchdowns in 15 games in 2025 in his fourth year in the league. The former second-rounder from Cincinnati has led the NFL in each of the last two years in yards per catch, and he is expected to have a bigger role in 2026 with Michael Pittman Jr. out of town. As Pierce nears a return to full health for the start of the season, he should begin to rise up draft boards as a WR3/flex with plenty of boom potential.

5 days ago

Anthony Richardson Sr. • QB • Colts

Anthony Richardson Sr. Will be Colts' Backup QB

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen announced on Thursday that Anthony Richardson Sr. will be the team's No. 2 quarterback behind starter Daniel Jones to start the 2026 season, according to Stephen Holder of ESPN. Richardson requested a trade in the offseason, but the Colts did not end up moving him, and he will open the 2026 campaign as the direct backup to Jones, who is coming off a torn Achilles tendon late last season. The 24-year-old Richardson, the former fourth overall pick in 2023 from the University of Florida, beat out Riley Leonard for the QB2 job in training camp and the preseason. Richardson's rushing abilities are elite, but he has been injury-prone early in his career and has not developed as a passer the way the Colts hoped he would. Through 17 games (15 starts), Richardson posted a 50.6% completion percentage with 2,400 passing yards, 11 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He added 115 carries for 634 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground. While the 24-year-old's dynasty/keeper value has plummeted, he could quickly become attractive again for his rushing prowess if Jones goes down with another injury in 2026.

5 days ago

Daniel Jones • QB • Colts

Daniel Jones Fully Healthy and Undervalued in Drafts

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has fully recovered from last season's Achilles injury, but it doesn't look like his ADP has completely adjusted yet. As it stands, Jones has an ADP of 174.7, which corresponds to the 15th round and makes him the 23rd quarterback off the board. That seems to be a slightly pessimistic evaluation of the 29-year-old, who ranked as the QB7 in total points before getting injured last year. Even if Jones doesn't quite replicate his QB7 ranking this year, he's still a reasonable candidate to finish among the top 12 quarterbacks in fantasy football. Therefore, now that he's fully healthy, he's somewhat of a steal at his current price tag. He stands to benefit from a strong supporting cast, including Keenan Allen, Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, Tyler Warren, and Jonathan Taylor.

6 days ago

Anthony Richardson Sr. • QB • Colts

Colts Expect Anthony Richardson Sr. to Remain With the Team This Year

Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard said on Tuesday that he expects quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. to remain with the organization this year, according to James Boyd of The Athletic. Richardson survived roster cutdown day on Sunday and will head into the 2026 season as the backup to Daniel Jones, who is coming off a torn Achilles tendon suffered late last season. Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 draft from Florida, has turned out to be a bust early in his NFL career. His rushing upside is elite, but he could not stay on the field, and he failed to improve on his accuracy as a passer in the competition for the starting job last summer with Jones. And after Jones took off with the starting gig and played well before his Achilles tear, there does not appear to be much of a future for Richardson in Indy. He is heading into the final year of his rookie contract in 2026, so this figures to be Richardson's final season with the Colts, barring something unforeseen happening. If Jones gets hurt again and misses time, Richardson could quickly become a QB2 option in two-QB superflex leagues for his rushing prowess alone.

7 days ago

Josh Downs • WR • Colts

Josh Downs Returns from Calf Injury and Practices on Tuesday

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (calf) did not participate in the team's final preseason game after missing a pair of training camp practices with a minor calf injury, but he was back on the field on Tuesday as the team begins preparations for a Week 1 contest with the Ravens. Downs suffered a minor back injury earlier in camp and saw his draft stock take a hit following the late free agent signing of veteran Keenan Allen. After playing primarily out of the slot through the first three years of his career, Downs found extensive work on the outside throughout the summer, but questions about his role and workload have re-emerged in recent weeks, and he is now RotoBaller's WR38 for 2026.

7 days ago

Alec Pierce • WR • Colts

Alec Pierce Practicing with the Colts on Tuesday

After being activated from the Physically Unable to Perform List on Thursday and sitting out the team's final preseason game, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (ankle, heel) was present at Tuesday's practice. Pierce underwent ankle surgery in late March after a platelet-rich plasma injection failed to alleviate the pain he'd reportedly been playing through since the end of the 2024 season. Following a career year in 2025, Pierce signed a four-year, $114 million deal in the opening moments of free agency, and after leading the league in yards per reception in each of the past two seasons, he is expected to see an expanded route tree in 2026. His presence at Tuesday's practice bodes well for his Week 1 availability and should leave drafters more comfortable with his current draft cost of WR38. UPDATE: General manager Chris Ballard said that the "hope" is that Pierce will play in Week 1 against the Baltimore Ravens.

7 days ago

Tyler Warren • TE • Colts

Tyler Warren Returns to Practice on Tuesday

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren (groin) returned to practice on Tuesday after suffering what had been described as a minor groin injury during a joint practice with the Falcons on August 19. While his availability for Week 1 had never appeared to be in question, his return puts him on track for a full workload when the Colts open the season against the Ravens in less than two weeks. Wide receivers Alec Pierce (ankle, heel) and Josh Downs (calf) also practiced on Monday, marking the first time this summer that Indianapolis has had all three of its top projected pass-catchers on the field together. Warren caught 76 passes for 817 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2025, and with a potentially expanded role in year two, he is RotoBaller's TE4.

7 days ago

Josh Downs • WR • Colts

Josh Downs' ADP Sits Steady in Ninth Round

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs entered this offseason as one of the biggest risers in football. The offense was trending up, Daniel Jones was returning from injury, and Downs took a step up the depth chart after Michael Pittman Jr. was traded to Pittsburgh. As a result, his ADP rose steadily throughout the summer, and he's now looking to replicate his five-touchdown performance as the overall WR35 in PPR 2024. The bad news is that the Colts extended Alec Pierce as their No. 1 receiver and recently signed Keenan Allen to be their projected No. 2 receiver, leaving Downs in a relatively unfavorable role. We also can't forget that the Colts have Tyler Warren to offer a major boost at the tight end position. While there's no denying that Downs is quite talented, he has been holding pretty steady at his ADP of 102.9, which ranks him as the overall WR41 in PPR leagues for this season.

Sep 1

Jonathan Taylor • RB • Colts

Jonathan Taylor Carries More Risk at His First-Round Price

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor isn't falling because his role suddenly changed. It's the price after a season that will be tough to repeat. Taylor led the NFL with 323 carries and scored 20 total touchdowns in 2025, finishing with 1,585 rushing yards and another 378 through the air. Indianapolis has openly spent camp looking for a dependable No. 2 back who can help keep him fresh after that workload, with DJ Giddens and Seth McGowan making the initial 53-man roster behind him. Taylor is still the clear starter, and the Colts signed him to an extension in August. This isn't a playing-time scare. The risk is paying a first-round price after he handled more carries than anyone in football. RotoBaller's Aug. 30 early-round avoids piece also noted how much game script mattered last year: Taylor averaged 31.5 PPR points in Colts wins and 12.4 in losses. He's still an elite fantasy back. There's just less margin for error at the current cost.

Aug 31

Anthony Richardson Sr. • QB • Colts

Anthony Richardson Sr. Sticking with the Colts for Now

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. has made the team's initial 53-man roster. There had been plenty of chatter about Richardson potentially being cut or traded before Sunday's roster deadline, but he ultimately remains with the Colts for the time being. The former No. 4 pick once again projects to occupy a depth role behind starter Daniel Jones, and there's a chance that he could even fall to third on the depth chart behind Riley Leonard. Richardson hasn't seen meaningful playing time since the 2024 season, when he completed just 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 passing yards, eight passing touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also had 499 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns, and three fumbles lost that year. The 24-year-old has tremendous rushing upside, but injuries, turnovers, and an atrocious completion rate have kept him from living up to his early first-round draft capital. A change of scenery seems likely at some point, but as long as Richardson remains with the Colts, he should be avoided entirely in fantasy football.

Aug 30

Spencer Shrader • K • Colts

Spencer Shrader Wins Colts Kicking Battle

Indianapolis Colts kicker Spencer Shrader has made the 53-man roster, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. He won the kicking competition after Indianapolis released Blake Grupe. Although Grupe reportedly had a good camp, he went just 2-for-4 on field goals during the preseason, while Shrader went 5-for-5. Furthermore, Shrader excelled from long range. All five of his field goals came from 40+ yards out, including two from at least 60 yards. The 27-year-old was impressive last season, going 14-for-14 on extra points and 13-for-14 on field goals. If he continues to demonstrate a blend of accuracy and power, he could sneak onto the fantasy radar as a kicker who gets plenty of opportunities in the Colts' upward-trending offense.

Aug 30

Blake Grupe • K • Colts

Colts Release Kicker Blake Grupe

The Indianapolis Colts have released kicker Blake Grupe, according to Mike Garafolo of NFL.com. By process of elimination, Spencer Shrader has made the 53-man roster after making two field goals from 60+ yards during the preseason. Grupe reportedly made more than 90% of his kicks in camp, but he was just 2-for-4 on field goals during preseason games. He also had an iffy 78.4% field goal rate in 2025. He seems like someone who will earn a new job when rostered kickers struggle or get injured during the regular season, but at this point, it's unlikely he'll latch onto a 53-man roster for Week 1.

Aug 30

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