Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (undisclosed) and tight end Drew Ogletree (undisclosed) both miss Wednesday's voluntary practice with soft-tissue injuries. Downs has had his share of injuries already through two NFL seasons, so although it's early in the offseason, his health is worth watching closely the closer we get to training camp and the preseason. The 23-year-old former third-rounder (79th overall) in 2023 out of North Carolina took a small step forward in 2024 with a 72-803-5 line on 107 targets over 14 games (eight starts). A lot of his production last year came with veteran quarterback Joe Flacco under center, and his 5-foot-9, 171-pound frame limits his overall upside. Downs' 2025 fantasy value will likely hinge on who wins the Colts' QB competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

Indianapolis Colts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. said that the plan is for offensive lineman Matt Goncalves to start at right guard in 2025. Goncalves has recovered from the concussion that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale late last season and should open his second year in the NFL as a starter on Indianapolis' offensive line. The 24-year-old was selected by the Colts in the third round (79th overall) last year out of Pittsburgh, and he started eight of the 17 games that he appeared in over his rookie campaign. Not only will he be starting at right guard in 2025, but he'll be making the transition from tackle to guard.

On Thursday, the Indianapolis Colts claimed defensive tackle Eric Johnson II off waivers after the New England Patriots recently released him. The Colts also waived safety Marcel Dabo and designated tight end Maximilian Mang as an exempt/international player. Johnson will enter his fourth season in the league and serve his second stint with the Colts after they selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. The Missouri State product appeared in 11 games for the Patriots in 2024, notching 17 tackles (two solo). He's a fine rotational piece on the defensive line, but doesn't project to make too much of an impact on the field or in fantasy. Johnson hasn't garnered a single start through 39 career games and is currently buried way down on the team's unofficial depth chart.

The New England Patriots announced that they released defensive tackle Eric Johnson II on Wednesday after signing free-agent running back Trayveon Williams. The Patriots claimed Johnson off waivers from the Indianapolis Colts on Aug. 28 of last year. The 26-year-old played in 11 games with New England last year and finished with 17 total tackles (two solo) in his third NFL campaign. Johnson was originally a fifth-round selection (159th overall) by the Colts in 2022 out of Missouri State. The 6-foot-4, 320-pounder had only 18 tackles (seven solo), one sack, a tackle for loss and one fumble recovery in 28 games (no starts) in his first two years in the league in Indy. Johnson will be looking to find a new team before training camp starts this summer.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed rookie wide receiver Blayne Taylor, among 13 other undrafted free agents, on Friday. Taylor appeared in 51 games over three years at Abilene Christian and one at Cisco College, but did his best work in his final season as a Wildcat. In 2024, the Texas native garnered Second Team All-UAC honors with 73 receptions, 1,117 yards, and eight touchdowns. He's a big, explosive, wideout who tested well at his pro day and would be an exciting NFL talent if he could put it all together at the next level. However, Taylor still has some holes in his game and requires polish. The 6-foot-3 wideout's athleticism alone gives him a shot in the NFL. We'll see if he can do enough to make the team's roster over the next few months.