Three Colts starters—Kenny Moore II, Alec Pierce, and Bernhard Raimann—returned to practice as Indianapolis wrapped another training camp session, each nursing an earlier issue (knee, groin, and ankle respectively). Their returns come amid a summer that has seen several teammates hit IR or miss time, including Hunter Wohler, Blake Freeland, and Jacob Phillips. Braden Smith exited the latest preseason game with a groin concern, while JuJu Brents, Jaylon Jones, Nick Cross, and Josh Downs have dealt with hamstring or hip issues. Timelines remain unclear for several others, keeping depth pieces in flux as camp continues.

For fantasy managers, Pierce’s quick return could stabilize the Colts’ passing game early in camp, Raimann’s health matters for pass protection and run blocking, and Moore’s presence bolsters a secondary that will be tested by a challenging schedule. The IR replacements—plus the uncertain statuses of Smith, Brents, and Downs—could open short-term targets and snap splits for younger players and veterans stepping into expanded roles as August progresses.

Daniel Jones won the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback job, handing fantasy managers a clearer path to a weekly floor in a lineup built around Jonathan Taylor and Pittman. Jones signed a one-year, $14 million deal and arrives with veteran leadership in a system Steichen has thrived in before. The Colts eye a return to the playoffs after a 8-9 season, hoping Jones stabilizes the offense and unlocks the running game and trusted pass-catchers.

Jones’s arc includes a 2019 standout season with 3,205 passing yards, 15 TDs, plus 708 rushing yards and seven rushing scores. He’s 28, and his career shows a 64.1% completion rate with 70 TDs and 47 INTs. Richardson, the No. 4 pick in 2023, has shown progress but isn’t yet at Jones’s level in the line-of-scrimmage checks and ball placement. The Colts stressed development at the line, with Jones delivering steady checks and a veteran presence.

In the Colts’ RFQ, Jones inherits a weapon set featuring Taylor, Pittman, Downs, and rookie tight end Tyler Warren. He’s tasked with getting the most out of Taylor’s burst, Pittman’s consistency, Downs’s speed, and Warren’s red-zone potential. Steichen’s track record with Herbert and Hurts adds optimism for a smoother transition and a more efficient offense in 2025.

Preseason numbers show Jones at 17-of-32 for 245 yards, Richardson at 8-of-14 for 94 yards. Indy aims for a rebound season, leaning on a steady quarterback to maximize a playmaking trio and a young TE, while Richardson develops behind Jones and grows into a longer-term starter.

Aaron Rodgers’ arrival in Pittsburgh is not just a headline-grab; it could reshape 2025 fantasy value by lifting the Steelers’ backfield options and opening up attacking avenues for the pass game. Warren and the rookie Kaleb Johnson may benefit most as Rodgers’ play-action and timing throws could keep defenses honest and create clearer lanes for a veteran in Warren or a dynamic rookie in Johnson. Rodgers’ history with top-scoring backs—Jones in Green Bay and others—gives Warren a plausible path to bigger yardage and improved fantasy receipts, especially with Najee Harris now elsewhere.

SportsLine’s model adds a broader flavor: Waddle and Downs surface as sleepers and breakouts, with Bateman cast as a bust candidate in 2025. The piece highlights a Colts connection between Richardson and Downs, plus a potential Waddle rebound aided by Jonnu Smith’s departure to the Steelers, which could free targets. It’s a reminder that the 2025 rankings and cheat sheets are driven by a model that has historically nailed sleepers and breakouts, and that fantasy managers should lean on those simulated projections when mapping draft strategies across PPR and non-PPR formats.

In short, Rodgers to Pittsburgh isn’t just about pass-catchers; it could unlock a more balanced offense where Warren or Kaleb Johnson emerge as reliable 2025 fantasy contributors. The piece also stresses using robust rankings and rich cheat sheets to navigate the evolving landscape, with sleeper value anchoring many early-round decisions and bust risk shaping later pivots.

In 2025, look for three-year breakout bets at WR, RB, and TE who could redefine value in mid-to-late rounds. Tucker Kraft heads the list as Green Bay signals a bigger role, potentially turning 70 targets from 2024 into a much larger slice of the offense. Tank Bigsby stands out in Jacksonville as a potential workhorse in a backfield that could lean toward him in a split with Etienne, especially if Coen’s system unlocks better rushing efficiency. Indianapolis’s Josh Downs and Green Bay’s Jayden Reed are high-upside third-year receivers who could exploit increased volume with improved route efficiency and rapport with their quarterbacks. Baltimore’s Zay Flowers offers a ceiling-raising profile in a pass-heavy sub-system, while Tucker Kraft’s peers in JAX and GB show how a late-round TE can become a season-long difference-maker if usage expands.

These sleepers aren’t just upside picks; they’re calculated plays tied to projected offensive shifts, improved health, and coaching emphasis on growth within their offenses. If you’re prioritizing youth in drafts, these three-year players offer clear paths to fantasy relevance with manageable risk and a realistic chance to outperform their ADPs in 2025.

Five late-round wide receivers could surge into must-start status in 2025, led by Darnell Mooney with Atlanta, where a high-volume, three-receiver look and Michael Penix Jr. at the helm boost weekly upside. Marvin Mims Jr. ripped off a seven-game burst as Denver’s clear second option, posting strong efficiency and big-play potential. Josh Downs carved out a slot-heavy Colts role in a system that loves 11 personnel, offering a reliable floor when healthy. DeMario Douglas is right in the mix in New England’s WR-needy attack, while Christian Kirk’s Houston move creates a new slot-path floor with red-zone upside despite a shifting offense. Drake London and Bijan Robinson anchor Atlanta’s aerial ground game, with Penix’s deep-throw ability expanding Mooney’s ceiling. In short: several late-round targets now carry a realistic path to weekly starters, driven by officer-friendly offenses, slot usage, and QB development.