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.

Colts Week 2 preseason versus Green Bay highlighted Indianapolis’ depth and some standout performers according to Pro Football Focus. Chris Lammons led the way with an 88.4 grade, delivering two pressures and a sack as a blitzer and showing solid coverage with three pass breakups. Jelani Woods followed at 86.7, drawing heavy targets (six) and contributing as a blocker on seven plays, even though he gained just 22 receiving yards. Tyler Warren (85.9) secured a 25-yard catch and flashed as a potential explosive target, while Luke Tenuta (85.7) stepped in at right tackle after injuries to Braden Smith and Blake Freeland, posting favorable marks in the run game and pass protection. Anthony Gould (85.2) served as a reliable option with three catches for 30 yards, including a long gain negated by a penalty. On the negative side, Adetomiwa Adebawore (29.8) showed some address, but struggled in the run game, and Marcus Haynes (38.8) faced difficulties in run defense. PFF cautions that grading is only one tool, but these marks shape roster discussions and fantasy angle considerations as Colts navigate their depth chart.

Green Bay believes Isaiah Simmons can be a steal this season, targeting a single linebacker role with a clear path to contribute in a specialized subpackage. If he handles the assignment, he could lock into the 53 as a versatile depth piece who adds speed and coverage upside to the unit.

Teammate and opponent chatter has elevated Simmons' profile. Josh Jacobs labeled him a unicorn, praising his burst and slot-cover potential, which adds a tangible fantasy angle to his upside even as camp chatter gives way to questions about his early performance in the preseason.

Early camp optimism collided with a rocky start in the first preseason outing and an even rougher follow-up. The narrative around him shifted toward UDFA-like concerns, with talk that he must rebound quickly to avoid jeopardizing his roster status. The Packers’ decision week looms large, as they weigh upside against the cost of sticking with a developing player at a premium position.

For fantasy managers, Simmons’ arc is a watch-notice: a limited but potentially game-changing role could yield better week-to-week IDP value than a straight bench stash would suggest. If Green Bay leans into his elite traits, he could become a low-end starter in certain matchups, delivering opportunistic tackles and coverage plays.

Brock Bowers sits as the prime upside pick for 2025, eyeing a potential repeat as the overall TE1 with the Las Vegas Raiders, after a historic rookie season. Arizona’s Trey McBride is right in the mix, posting elite target share and finishing near the TE1 tier in 2024, suggesting he could push for the top spot in a pass-happy offense. George Kittle and Travis Kelce headline the “outside chance” and “long odds” categories, respectively, given age and offense dynamics, while rookie Tyler Warren represents a high-reward, long-shot sleeper for Indianapolis. Sam LaPorta’s TE1 finish profile in past seasons keeps him squarely in the conversation for 2025. Deebo Samuel’s movement and QB upgrades in playbooks shape the broader passing landscape and impact how much volume TEs can command. Gardner Minshew and fellow signal-callers are noted for their roles in feeding this TE class, with the quarterback-receiver chemistry now more important than ever for fantasy success.

In short, Bowers leads the way with a realistic path to another TE1 finish, while McBride, Kittle, Kelce, Warren, LaPorta and Samuel offer compelling targets with varying risk-reward. Expect target shares, quarterback play, and offense shifts to dictate weekly upside, with rookies and aging stars offering both ceiling and floor considerations for 2025 fantasy drafts.