Bleacher Report is ranking the NFL’s 1,000 best players, and the Indianapolis Colts are represented among the 99 best skill position players. However, one prominent Colt doesn’t make the list.
Running back Jonathan Taylor, tight end Tyler Warren, and wide receivers Alec Pierce and Josh Downs make the cut, but quarterback Daniel Jones doesn’t, placing him behind at least 21 QBs.
Two players are ranked “franchise cornerstones”: Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Behind them, a dozen earn “All-Pro caliber” status; 18 “Pro Bowl caliber”; 18 “quality starters”; 43 “quality roster pieces”, and 6 “reliable contributors.”
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Is Daniel Jones a good quarterback? Bleacher Report quarterback rankings
Bleacher Report’s full list of quarterbacks puts Jones 22nd and Riley Leonard 54th. Anthony Richardson doesn’t make the list of 55.
On Jones: “Daniel Jones’ season came to an unfortunate end after suffering a torn Achilles tendon in Week 14 against division rival Jacksonville Jaguars. Before the injury, he led the Colts to an 8-4 record with the best play of his career. Jones is at his best when hitting his first read and working off play action or RPOs. He is an above-average athlete with pocket mobility to extend plays and convert big third downs with his legs. He struggles with his progressions and decision-making under pressure. Jones is a solid starter, but we have to see how he rebounds from the Achilles recovery.”
On Leonard: “Riley Leonard was named the starter in week 18 against the Texans. Leonard played solidly and probably better than expected against that tough, talented, and well-coached defense. Leonard completed 21 of his 34 targets for 270 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Like Daniel Jones, he hits the first read routinely. Both are above-average athletes who can scramble and extend plays. Leonard could be an intriguing back to watch develop under the tutelage of HC Shane Steichen, if he sustains his job in Indianapolis. He’s physically limited but plays the game similarly to their established starter.”
Indianapolis Colts rankings by Bleacher Report: Top 99 skill position players
Jonathan Taylor, 11th overall, 3rd among running backs
He is in the “All-Pro ability” range.
“Jonathan Taylor is among the league’s elite running backs and is the clear engine of the Indianapolis Colts offense. He’s surpassed 1,400 yards three times in consecutive years in his career. Taylor is patient, physical, and explosive. He runs with the power and contact balance that wears opponents down over four quarters. Opposing defenses prepare to remove or limit Taylor’s impact. The Colts’ star is one of the most impactful players in the league and a foundational building block.”
Tyler Warren, 45th overall, 8th among tight ends
He is considered a “high-quality starter.”
“The Colts’ plan for Tyler Warren is simple: get him the ball in space and target him down the field. He’s a special player with the ball in his hands, and he showcased that early on for Indy with 505 of his 817 yards after the catch last season, with physicality and quick feet to get upfield. The former top-15 pick uses his hands well away from his frame, but contact in the catching window forced more incompletions than expected. He’s a versatile playmaker and will line up all across the formation for the Colts, bringing his work ethic with him. The offense changed after Daniel Jones’ injury, and his role didn’t have the same impact as earlier in 2025. Warren will be a focus of the offense again this season, and the connection with Jones will only get better.”
Alec Pierce, 68th overall, 21st among wide receivers
He’s a “critical roster piece.”
“Alec Pierce is an ascending wide receiver who eclipsed 1,000 yards for the first time last season. Over the last two years, his yards have increased each season. Pierce has stamped himself as one of the league’s best deep threat receivers, averaging over 21 yards per reception with 19 air yards per target. The Colts’ big-play receiver has grown as a route-runner and separator since entering the draft in 2022. The arrow is pointing upward for Pierce, as long as his quarterback can maximize his explosive ability down the field.”
Josh Downs, 97th overall, 40th among wide receivers
He’s called a “reliable contributor.”
“Josh Downs is a quick-moving slot receiver. His skill set is underappreciated at times because he isn’t deployed to generate vertical explosive plays; instead, he’s the underneath and chain-moving receiver. Downs’ usage declined last season with the emergence of tight end Tyler Warren. Downs is a security blanket receiver with a capped physical ceiling.”
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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis Colts represented on Bleacher Report list of skill players; is Daniel Jones good?
Reporting by Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star / Indianapolis Star
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Scott Horner, Indianapolis Star | USA TODAY Network
