Huddle Up: Downs saw a dip in production last season, but the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. in free agency should open up more targets for Downs. A return to his 2024 numbers isn't out of the question, and Downs is positioned to be a viable flex option heading into 2026.

Huddle Up: "He's been heavily criticized in New York. He's had an injury here. He had another injury with the Giants (torn ACL)," Steichen explained. "He's been through the fire pretty good." Jones was one of the top fantasy QBs in 2025 until tearing his Achilles in Week 14 against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Jones completed 68 percent of his passes for 3,101 yards with 19 touchdowns while adding five scores on the ground in 13 games.

Huddle Up: Jones was putting together a solid season before injuries struck, culminating with an Achilles injury that ended his season. Assuming Jones is ready to start the season, he has shown he can be a steady QB2 in the Indianapolis offense.

Huddle Up: Although Pittman's blocking won't earn him any fantasy points, it should ensure his status as the team's No. 2 receiver. Depending on the quarterback situation in Pittsburgh, Pittman could be a WR3 in 2026, especially in PPR formats.

Huddle Up: Alie-Cox returns for his ninth season with the Colts. At this stage of his career and entering his age-33 season, Alie-Cox is a beloved role player who isn't known for putting up catches and yards. Unfortunately, being beloved doesn't get you fantasy points, so you can safely ignore him in fantasy drafts.

Huddle Up: The 23-year-old Richardson was the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and in 2025, he threw just two passes all season. An orbital bone injury in Week 6's pregame warmups led to his placement on injured reserve, and he didn't see any other game action the rest of the season. A project quarterback, Richardson would fall into the same mold as Malik Willis for the Packers. Richardson's fantasy value is directly tied to whether he starts for an NFL team, and in Green Bay, he wouldn't with Jordan Love firmly entrenched as the starter. However, Richardson certainly has the rushing upside to matter in fantasy even in a short-term scenario for 2026.

Huddle Up: Pittman will be in an offense where the quarterback is still up in the air, and he will be fighting for targets alongside D.K. Metcalf. For now, he remains up in the air but should at least have a floor as a WR3 or flex spot in your lineup.

Huddle Up: Jones is hoping to return from a torn Achilles from late last season by Week 1. He was the QB16 in 13 games last season, which would put him in the glut of low-end QB1s if you miss out on your top target. The injury is expected to hinder his mobility for a big portion, maybe all of this season, and that pegs him a midrange QB2 in fantasy.

Huddle Up: It is almost stunning that the best the Colts could do in a trade involving a 28-year-old receiver with four 80-catch seasons on his resume is a late-round pick swap. It is equally hard to believe that the Colts likely made a rushed trade so that they could make Alec Pierce the ninth-highest paid receiver in the league (in terms of annual average value). Pittman's departure paves the way - at least until the draft - for Tyler Warren and Josh Downs to see their target shares increase. Meanwhile, Pierce's contract almost locks him as a player that Indy will likely ask to assume more of the short and intermediate routes that Pittman handled throughout his time with the Colts.

Huddle Up: Pittman will be starting opposite DK Metcalf next season and should see a handful of targets each game. He can be a No. 3 receiver in most fantasy leagues.

Huddle Up: Pierce set career highs in receptions, targets and yards in 2025, delivering his first 1,000-yard campaign in the process. Pierce was likely to have a robust free-agent market, but he will stay in Indianapolis for the foreseeable future. Pierce could be in the WR3 mix for fantasy purposes, but could see target volume now that he has a lot of money tied to him, to make him a high-upside fantasy WR2 with continued big-play potential.

Huddle Up: Grupe figures to kick for a decent offense in 2026, and he will be working a majority of his games indoors. For fantasy purposes, he'll be a decent low-end PK1 in most leagues once the top options are off the board.

Huddle Up: Pierce established career highs in receptions and touchdowns last season and eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in 2025. He should be viewed as a solid WR3 option for fantasy leagues, especially if he returns to the Colts because of his rapport with QB Daniel Jones.

Huddle Up: Pierce set career highs in receptions, targets and yards in 2025, delivering his first 1,000-yard campaign in the process. Pierce, who will be an unrestricted free agent, figures to receive plenty of interest because of his ability to produce big plays down the field. Depending on where he suits up in 2026, Pierce could be in the WR3 mix, but could see target volume to make him a sneaky fantasy WR2 with more big-play upside.

Huddle Up: Pierce has emerged as one of the league's best deep threats, averaging 21.8 yards per reception over the past two seasons. His big-play ability should make him a high-upside WR3 no matter where he lands in 2026.

Huddle Up: Pierce is coming off his biggest season in his career and is poised to capitalize financially on it. The Colts have indicated they want him back, and he hasn't ruled it out, but his market will be nearly every team in the NFL. He should remain a viable WR3 or flex option for the 2026 season wherever he lands.

Huddle Up: Jones returning to the Colts would be the best for his fantasy value, as the Colts showed they can utilize him best. Due to his Achilles injury, he could miss time, so his fantasy stock for 2026 remains up in the air.

Huddle Up: Jones does not appear to be close to a long-term deal at this time. Prior to sustaining an Achilles injury last December, Jones had been enjoying one of the best seasons of his career and he can be viewed as a reliable QB2 option once he has fully recovered.

Huddle Up: Pierce established career highs in receptions and touchdowns last season and eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark for the first time in 2025. He should be viewed as a solid WR3 option for fantasy leagues, especially if the Colts are able to bring back QB Daniel Jones for another year.

Huddle Up: The 23-year-old Richardson was the No. 4 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, and in 2025, he threw just two passes all season. An orbital bone injury in Week 6's pregame warmups led to his placement on injured reserve, and he didn't see any other game action the rest of the season. A project quarterback, Richardson would be a huge swing for the Cleveland Browns as they try to find some direction at quarterback in 2026 and beyond. Richardson's fantasy value is directly tied to whether he starts for an NFL team, but Richardson certainly has the rushing upside to matter in fantasy if he does indeed start.

Huddle Up: Richardson showed fantasy promise as a dual-threat quarterback, but injuries and adjusting to the NFL delayed that. A fresh start with a coaching staff could help him develop further, but until that is established, his fantasy value remains in the lower tier of the position.

Huddle Up: Jones suffered an Achilles tear Dec. 7, and he's not likely to be a viable fantasy option in drafts this season. It's possible he plays at some point in 2026, but we have seen it take a year after returning to really get past the injury.

Huddle Up: The 28-year-old Jones was enjoying one of the best seasons of his career prior to sustaining a torn Achilles tendon last December. He can be viewed as a solid QB2 option in most 2026 fantasy leagues if he returns to full health.

Huddle Up: Pierce set career highs in receptions, targets and yards in 2025, delivering his first 1,000-yard campaign in the process. Pierce, who will be an unrestricted free agent, figures to receive plenty of interest because of his ability to produce big plays down the field. Depending on where he suits up in 2026, Pierce could be in the WR3 mix.