Sleepers on the Indianapolis Colts

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As we race toward August, Footballguys.com will examine one team per weekday with our quick-hitting Team Sleepers feature. These players might not be deep sleepers, but we will be highlighting players our staff thinks will surprise this year and outperform their average draft position (ADP).

Go Deeper: See in-depth projections for every Colts player here >>>

This is a weekday series that will stretch through August 1. If you like this and want another, come back the next workday. Another will be here.

Please note that our staff has identified the players listed below. The official Footballguys stance for every Colt can be found on our projections page.

Sleepers on the Indianapolis Colts

• WR Josh Downs - 6 votes
• WR Michael Pittman - 2 votes
• TE Tyler Warren - 1 vote
• LB Jaylon Carlies - 1 vote
• RB D.J. Giddens - 1 vote
• QB Anthony Richardson - 1 vote
• WR Alec Pierce - 1 vote
• DE Kwity Paye - 1 vote
• QB Daniel Jones - 1 vote

Reasons WR Josh Downs Could Be a Sleeper

• Maurile Tremblay: Coming off of two decent seasons, he's a volume-locked slot steal.
• Colton Dodgson: He'll be a trendy pick in redrafts. He'll likely lead the Colts in slot snaps and continue to see 90-plus targets. 
• Phil Alexander: Talented slot target who should see heavy volume, though his ADP is creeping up.
• Jeff Haseley: I don't love any specific receiver on this team, but Downs is settling in nicely as a possession receiver who could exceed 75 receptions. 
• Mauricio Gutierrez: Whoever the QB is going to be, he's going to favor short routes. Downs from the slot could end up as the leader in targets and receptions in Indianapolis.
• Craig Lakins: This is the year that Downs ascends to the top of the wide receiver depth chart. He could be Daniel Jones's security blanket.

Reasons WR Michael Pittman Could Be a Sleeper

• Jason Wood: The Colts' receivers are understandably discounted given how tough things go with Anthony Richardson in the lineup. While Daniel Jones is no great shakes either, he would materially elevate Pittman's value far beyond his current WR4 ADP.
• Jeff Blaylock: A disappointing 2024 season has caused drafters to forget that Pittman's 107-reception season in 2023 followed a 99-reception season, both of which were top-20 seasons in PPR scoring.

Reason TE Tyler Warren Could Be a Sleeper

• David Zacharias: First-round draft capital + immediate starting role + TE-friendly QBs + Colts needing to throw = TE1 upside.

Reason LB Jaylon Carlies Could Be a Sleeper

• Kyle Bellefeuil: Carlies is primed for a bigger role in his second season as the Colts' LB2 alongside Zaire Franklin.

Reason RB D.J. Giddens Could Be a Sleeper

• Ben Cummins: Giddens is an awesome prospect and projects as Jonathan Taylor's clear backup. Elite contingent upside if Taylor gets injured.

Reason QB Anthony Richardson Could Be a Sleeper

• Meng Song: Richardson may or may not stay healthy, but he's all upside and zero risk considering his rushing potential versus his current last-round ADP.

Reason WR Alec Pierce Could Be a Sleeper

• Andy Hicks: The highest fantasy ranking wide receiver in Indianapolis last year? Alec Pierce. Led the team in receiving yards and touchdowns. Does more with less. Might get more this year. 

Reason DE Kwity Paye Could Be a Sleeper

• Tripp Brebner: The former first-rounder was always a project, but he's already a beast in run defense. Sam Hubbard parlayed a similar profile to perennial fantasy DE2 status under new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo. 

Reason QB Daniel Jones Could Be a Sleeper

• Julia Papworth: Practically forgotten in drafts, I see a world where Jones is brought back to life in a Flacco-esque turn of events, pending Richardson's health and ability to complete passes.

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