Indianapolis

Colts

The Colts’ intent to increase Pierce’s involvement was made apparent by the four-year, $116 million contract he signed last month. Downs produced career lows in targets (84), receptions (58) and yards (566) last year, struggling to compete with TE Tyler Warren as a slot weapon. This is the second positive report for Downs this week, though which is encouraging. Downs currently finds himself in the fantasy WR4 discussion, but could improve his standing by becoming the Colts’ go-to pass catcher in the short-to-intermediate target depth this summer. Pierce has a wide range of potential outcomes as he attempts to transition from a downfield role to being the team’s X-receiver. He can be valued similarly to Downs and may possess a higher upside.

The Bills drafted Gilmore with the No. 10 overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft. He remained in Buffalo until 2017, when he signed with the Patriots in free agency. Gilmore enjoyed the best seasons of his career in New England, winning Super Bowl LII in 2018. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2018 and 2019, and co-led the NFL in interceptions while also winning NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2019. He earned Pro Bowl honors in 2016 and 2018-2021. He spent one-year stints with the Panthers, Colts, Cowboys and Vikings from 2021-2024. Gilmore logged 149 passes defended, 32 interceptions, 617 combined tackles and one sack in his NFL career.

The former fifth-round pick enjoyed a successful playing career. Walker spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Colts after being drafted in 2017. From 2021 to 2023, Walker signed three one-year deals with the Browns and, unfortunately, spent time on injured reserve in all three campaigns. He played for the Dolphins in 2024 and the Buccaneers in 2025. Across his nine-year career, Walker totaled 581 combined tackles, 362 solo tackles, 5.5 sacks and four interceptions.

Holder quotes Colts GM Chris Ballard as saying “I think Josh Downs is freaking good. I do. I’ve always thought he’s good. I think allowing him some more opportunities, we’re going to see some of the special stuff you’ve seen in the past, but more.” Downs probably is in line for the WR4 discussion in 2026 with Michael Pittman off to Pittsburgh, in what amounts to a make-or-break season in his walk year. We’d feel more comfortable boosting Downs if we were sure Daniel Jones were going to be healthy in Week 1, but he certainly has demonstrated the talent to be a fantasy factor in flashes.

The rookie didn’t look overmatched against the Week 18 kinda-sorta-trying Texans or the Jaguars in relief of Jones in Week 14 before the Philip Rivers Experiment happened. He finished the year with 415 passing yards on 67 attempts, along with two touchdowns and three interceptions — one of which was a Hail Mary in Week 17 that he threw because Rivers couldn’t get the ball downfield. We’re not trying to sell Leonard as a dynasty asset or anything, but Shane Steichen is a good offensive coach and he could be a viable QB2 superflex streamer depending on how the schedule falls if Jones isn’t quite ready.

Richardson, a former first-round draft pick who has flamed out in three seasons with Indy, has been linked to other teams this offseason, including the Packers, who lost backup QB Malik Willis to the Dolphins in free agency. Ballard on Monday said there’s still a chance Richardson stays with the Colts in 2026. “There’s definitely a scenario there. He’s a good dude and he’s talented. I mean, I still want good for Anthony, man,” Ballard said. “I still think he’s got a lot in him. He’s had some freaking bad luck, but I still think Anthony has got a lot of ability and he’s maturing and growing. He’s still young.” The most inaccurate passer in the NFL since entering the league in 2023, Richardson, 23, has struggled with various injuries, including a severe eye injury suffered in a freak training accident last season. ESPN’s Stephen Holder said Richardson could be seen as expendable since Riley Leonard is “now seen as a viable No. 2 quarterback” following his late-season performance in 2025.

Goodson was slated to be a restricted free agent, but the Colts balked. He’s a decent third-down back, but behind Bijan Robinson he figures to offer little fantasy value in his age-26 season. At least his last name isn’t also “Robinson,” unlike some backups in this backfield.

Lewis has a deep dive of the Greenard market in his latest, the gist of which is basically centered around Greenard’s contract demands being a major impediment to a trade. The Eagles have been the main team linked to Greenard, but the Colts are also a reasonable fit given how they were reportedly the runner-up on Trey Hendrickson this offseason. Of course, the Colts also don’t have a first-round pick again until 2028, so trading real value for Greenard might be off the table for them. Lewis believes anything less than a Day 2 pick would be a “non-starter” for the Vikings.

That can change if the Colts select a ballyhooed running back in the 2026 NFL Draft, but at this time, Taylor looks like he should handle another RB1-worthy workload next season. Taylor’s 369 offensive touches in 2025 rank second at the position and he is one among just 10 NFL running backs to clear 300 offensive touches during the regular season. He logged 321 in 2024. No. 2 RB DJ Giddens touched the ball 18 times last season and therefore enters 2026 as an unknown. If Taylor can again remain largely healthy next season, he has decent odds of surpassing 300 touches again.

Mitchell spent the first three years of his career in Cleveland. He was released by the Browns early in the 2025 season and the Colts scooped him up. Mitchell went on to appear in eight games with the Colts. He totaled four pass breakups and two TFLs. Mitchell will be back as a depth option for the team in 2026.