Colts Name Daniel Jones Starting Quarterback
The Indianapolis Colts have officially named Daniel Jones as their starting quarterback for the opening week of the season. This comes after some notable preseason competition, with Jones set to lead the team into their first game against the Miami Dolphins on September 7.
Both Jones and Anthony Richardson had their chances to start during the preseason. Richardson kicked things off in the game against the Baltimore Ravens, while Jones took the reins in last weekend’s matchup with the Green Bay Packers. Interestingly, after Richardson left the Ravens game early due to a dislocated pinky finger, it was actually Jones who had more opportunities. He showcased his skills well against the Packers, completing 7 of 11 passes for 101 yards. This performance was enough for Coach Shane Steichen to confirm Jones as the starter for the season.
The upcoming season marks a new beginning for Jones, who spent six seasons with the New York Giants, where his tenure ended in uncertainty. After being benched midseason in favor of backup Tommy DeVito, he eventually sought a release from the team and signed a one-year contract with the Colts. This lent him an opportunity to take over after the franchise quarterback situation became less stable.
Currently, Jones’ average draft position (ADP) sits at 37th among quarterbacks. However, this is likely to shift now that he’s the named starter, potentially boosting him into the 25-30 range. In his last full season as a starter in 2022, he showed considerable promise as a fantasy option, throwing for 3,205 yards and 15 touchdowns. His running ability also contributed significantly, as he racked up over 700 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns, presenting himself as a solid fantasy quarterback. As we look towards the future, Jones appears to be a viable QB2 choice in deeper leagues, making him a great late-round pick for those who want to carry an additional quarterback.
Given Jones’ strengths with mid-range throws and passing on angled routes, it’s likely that slot receiver Josh Downs will see an uptick in targets, emerging as a valuable sleeper option among the Colts’ wide receivers.
