Daniel Jones will remain the Colts starting quarterback despite having a massive drop off in production from 2025 to 2026. His yards per attempt has dropped from 8.1 to 5.8 and his epa per play has dropped from 0.17 to -0.11. If a benching were to happen Anthony Richardson or Riley Leonard would be in line to start.
To make matters worse the Colts traded away guard Quentin Nelson this week and there have been trade rumors around Jonathan Taylor and Josh Downs. Jeremy Fowler reported earlier this week that Downs had requested a trade and that multiple teams are interested. If he were to be dealt, the Colts would be left with Keenan Allen, Laquon Treadwell, Deion Burks, and Ashton Dulin at wide receiver with Alec Pierce still out with an ankle injury.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Riley Leonard started the ...
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Riley Leonard was ...
Indianapolis Colts rookie quarterback Riley Leonard (knee) ...
Daniel Jones is officially cleared for all football activities following his Week 14 Achilles tear, keeping him firmly on track for the season opener. Before going down, he operated as a legitimate efficiency engine, averaging 20.0 Fantasy Points Per Game to rank as the fantasy QB5 through his first 10 contests.
While he admits to mentally processing the recovery during practice reps, his 71.7-percent True Completion Percentage indicate that the baseline talent remains locked in once he fully trusts his lower body. Representing the ultimate inexpensive QB upside, Jones is a smash at his current fantasy football best ball and dynasty league draft position.
Daniel Jones has progressed to throwing the football, though head coach Shane Steichen emphasized that the team will remain cautious regarding his availability for the start of the season. While Riley Leonard is currently slated as the backup, Anthony Richardson’s status for the No. 2 role remains uncertain as he continues to recover from a right eye injury.
Lingering health questions leave Indy’s quarterback depth chart in flux as the team monitors how both players’ rehab progresses this summer. When healthy, Daniel Jones is the starting quarterback, and he is a sneaky value in best ball and superflex dynasty leagues.
Daniel Jones is currently shredding his Achilles recovery protocol, and with Chris Ballard officially endorsing his progress, he is the locked-and-loaded starter for Indy in 2026. Before the tear, Jones was a high-level efficiency engine, ranking No. 6 in Dropback EPA with a career-high 68.0% Completion Percentage and a 100.2 Passer Rating that screams high-end fantasy value.
With Anthony Richardson essentially out of the picture and Riley Leonard looming as the No. 2 insurance policy, the runway is clear for Jones to be the undisputed centerpiece of this Colts offensive machine.
The Indianapolis Colts will miss the playoffs but wide receiver Alec Pierce might be headed to a big payday this offseason. Pierce capped off a great contract year season with 132 yards and two touchdowns against the Houston Texans.
Pierce ends the season with 47 receptions, 1,003 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Riley Leonard also made a strong impression in week 18, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns plus another 21 yards and a score on the ground.
The Colts have a crowded receiving room so Pierce could be looking at being a prized free agent on the open market and with Daniel Jones’ injury Riley Leonard may have played himself into an opportunity to compete for the starting quarterback spot in 2026.
Author: David Leonard Jr. (@RealDelcoDave)
Rookie QB Riley Leonard will get an extended look in Week 18. The University of Notre Dame product was a Day 3 selection of the Colts, but was limited throughout the season behind Daniel Jones. Leonard sat behind Rivers for the last three games, but now with the Colts officially eliminated, the team wants more live reps for the rookie.
Leonard rushed 173 times for over 900 yards and 17 TDs during his final season in college. His limits as a passer caused him to be a late round prospect in 2025. Don’t expect much fantasy production in Week 18 and beyond.
Author: Bradley Stalder (@FFStalder)
