ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has put together his ranking of the best and worst skill position groups in the NFL entering 2026. So where did the Indianapolis Colts end up?
Since these rankings are skill position specific, only the wide receiver, tight end, and running back units were a part of the evaluation.
Barnwell also pointed out a few other ground rules that went into constructing this list:
Where are the Colts in 2026 skill position rankings?
The Colts continue to trend upward in Barnwell’s rankings. In 2024, Indianapolis ranked 22nd, and last year, they were 16th. Entering 2026, Barnwell has the Colts at 14th.
The Colts no longer have Michael Pittman, but Alec Pierce is coming off a 1,000-yard season and has been the most productive deep threat in football the last two seasons. Last season, he also showcased his ability to bring a more well-rounded skill set to the position.
Josh Downs, meanwhile, is as reliable as they come and should see more opportunities this season. That said, the WR3 role is up for grabs, and those competing for those snaps don’t have strong track records of steady NFL production.
Barnwell also highlighted one other potential concern at wideout.
“I’m a little concerned that Pierce is more of a really high-end WR2 than a legitimate WR1 in a very good offense, but if the Colts’ wide receivers can hold up their end of the bargain, Taylor and Warren are top-five at their respective spots,” he wrote.
At running back, Jonathan Taylor continues to be one of the most productive running backs in football, while Tyler Warren was among the NFL’s receiving leaders at tight end as a rookie. His impact also goes well beyond the passing game with his run-blocking abilities and versatility.
“There are stars away from wide receiver too. Jonathan Taylor was an Offensive Player of the Year contender for most of the season before fading down the stretch, generating big plays as both a rusher and receiver by shrugging off and running past tackle attempts,” wrote Barnwell. “And Tyler Warren was a Swiss Army knife for coach Shane Steichen as a rookie, lining up at just about every conceivable spot on the field and creating havoc for opposing linebackers and defensive coordinators.”
The Colts prioritized re-signing Daniel Jones and Pierce this offseason, with the internal belief being that the success they had through 10 games in 2025 can be replicated in 2026. We’ll find out if the Colts are right, but Chris Ballard seems to believe that the team has everything it needs on offense.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Where do Colts skill position players rank compared to rest of NFL?
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
