The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2026 NFL season betting on veteran quarterback Daniel Jones to provide the necessary consistency to break a frustrating two-year playoff drought, according to evaluations by Pro Football Focus (PFF).
The Daniel Jones Era Under the Microscope in Indianapolis
After racing out to a promising 8-2 start in 2025, the Colts suffered a severe collapse, dropping seven consecutive games to finish the year at an identical 8-9 for the second straight season, as detailed in PFF’s 2026 preview. To stabilize the position, the franchise committed to Daniel Jones on a contract tying him to Indianapolis for the next two seasons. Jones opened the 2025 campaign strongly, ranking 10th among all NFL quarterbacks with an 80.3 PFF grade through Week 8, before sliding to 32nd from Week 9 onward. Across seven NFL seasons, his career data indicates a 2.9% big-time throw rate, leaving analysts to question whether he represents a long-term solution or a bridge option for the AFC South contenders.
Roster Shifts: Josh Downs’ Expected Breakout and Receiving Corps Changes
The offensive landscape in Indianapolis looks notably different this fall following the departure of wide receiver Michael Pittman via trade. According to PFF, the team made minimal investments in free agency to replace Pittman, adding Nick Westbrook-Ikhine on a one-year deal alongside quarterback Easton Stick. Westbrook-Ikhine comes off a 2024 season where he totaled 497 receiving yards and averaged 1.14 yards per route run. With Pittman gone, fourth-year receiver Josh Downs is positioned to take on a significantly expanded role in the Colts’ passing offense.
Defensive Reinforcements: Sauce Gardner and Impact Rookies
Defensively, the Colts feature marquee talent added through recent high-profile moves, headlined by the blockbuster acquisition of cornerback Sauce Gardner during the 2025 season. On the edge, Laiatu Latu is poised for a major leap after a standout second professional season in which his PFF grade jumped from 72.1 as a rookie to 84.1. Latu’s pressure rate climbed to 14.0% in 2025, with 20 of his pressures resulting in sacks or quarterback hits. He is projected to start opposite Arden Key, who has posted PFF grades above 60.0 in each of the past five seasons.
2026 Draft Additions and AFC South Outlook
Despite lacking a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Colts secured two defensive prospects projected to push for immediate playing time. Second-round selection CJ Allen arrives with strong run-stopping credentials, highlighted by an 88.6 PFF run-defense grade in his final college season, though his coverage development remains a key storyline to watch. Safety A.J. Haulcy joins the secondary after recording an 88.6 PFF coverage grade that tied for eighth among safeties in his draft class, following a standout campaign at LSU. Indianapolis opens the 2026 season looking to overhaul their late-game execution and challenge the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars for supremacy in the AFC South division.
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