Hey there Colts’ fans! Here are my thoughts as the preseason and roster cuts have been finalized, and we all await the start of the regular season:

Of course the biggest news out of camp is that HC Shane Steichen named the starting quarterback shortly after I posted my last report. To the surprise of most observers, he chose QB Daniel Jones to get the nod, and gave every indication that this was as permanent a move as any quarterback decision ever is. Jones as a veteran would make a better guy to come in off the bench with minimal snaps in practice, plus he has no issue with his confidence if not starting – both of these are in question for QB Anthony Richardson. AR5 also needs his reps to determine what he could be, and obviously he has far higher NFL and fantasy football potential and upside. But Steichen said all along that consistency and decision-making would be the key, and (despite his improvements in those areas) Jones is still better, much like former 49er/Chief/Redskin Alex Smith. The team also has unambiguously stated that Richardson is not going to be traded.

What does this mean for fantasy? I don’t think this gives either a bump or a ding to most of the pass catchers, because I really don’t see this as being a high-volume passing attack regardless of the triggerman. WR Josh Downs may take a slight hit, as he seemed to be Richardson’s favorite "bail out" option. The one guy this may really help is RB Jonathan Taylor, who is far less likely to lose goal line touches to Danny Dimes than he is to Richardson; he should see a bump in his projected TD totals with this move. Richardson was draftable as a high-upside backup for fantasy, but Jones is probably (and rightfully) going to go undrafted except in the largest of leagues.

The final roster cuts had a few interesting things, but none really impacted the fantasy world a lot. Veteran WR Laquon Treadwell had a fabulous camp and preseason, but he was caught in a numbers game in a very deep (although unspectacular) receiving room. WR Ashton Dulin and WR Anthony Gould were the fifth and sixth receivers due to their very high special teams value, so Treadwell had to go. RB Khalil Herbert did not make the cut as one of the two backups to Taylor, but he was resigned to the practice squad; RB DJ Giddens is the guy to handcuff to Taylor, if you are so interested. In a very deep tight end room, monstrous athlete TE Jelani Woods was a numbers victim despite keeping four tight ends, and he was claimed by the Jets after being waived.

The offensive line has very little proven depth, and lost a key player in OT Blake Freeland. I would expect them to be in the market to sign a veteran after the last round of cuts – especially after week 1, so the salaries don’t need to be guaranteed. The defensive line however, kept 11 bodies after the final cuts, but did release one today when they signed veteran LB Chad Muma off the Jaguars’ waiver list. They had only kept four linebackers when key special teamer LB Jaylon Carlies went onto injured reserve, so additions there were inevitable. The linebacking corps will definitely be the weakest part of the defense with NFL tackle leader LB Zaire Franklin still not up to speed and several key bodies missing from the 2024 squad.

The biggest changes were a total revamping of the secondary with two big free agent signings, and within the last week a signing of veteran CB Xavien Howard and a trade for CB Mekhi Blackmon. In these changes, they also surprisingly cut CB Chris Lammons (who had played a lot last season), as well as local boy and 2023 2^nd round selection CB JuJu Brents who simply could not stay healthy; he will surely sign with someone else immediately. The defense as a whole might take a step forward with a new attacking scheme under DC Lou Anarumo and some better back end playmakers, but they will lose their IDP value as the team is more balanced and Franklin will get more attention.

FANTASY PREVIEW: RB Jonathan Taylor is a #1 with the upside potential (if he stays healthy) to approach his 2021 numbers; he is a draft value where he is going in round two as the running back #7 or later. QB Daniel Jones is undraftable in standard sized leagues. WR Michael Pittman has so little upside that he is a bye week filler at best as a #4-#5 guy, WR Josh Downs is the same with lower TD potential. WR Adonai Mitchell and especially WR Alec Pierce are only good as best-ball deep bench guys who might explode for a score occasionally. TE Tyler Warren has had a brilliant camp and is definitely NFL-ready. I would not be surprised if he even leads the team in receptions, but he still likely won’t be a fantasy starter every week unless a lot of things break very unexpectedly. He is a top-notch dynasty value though. New PK Spencer Shrader will be a serviceable streamer in the right matchups, especially late in the season when he has a spate of indoor or warm-weather games.

That is all for this week from the Crossroads of America. I will be back next week top preview the season opener as the Colts have a rare week 1 home game by hosting the Miami Dolphins. Until then…happy drafting!

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