With the 2026 NFL season here, power rankings are also back. So where do the Indianapolis Coltsland heading into Week 1?
There is a lot to like about the 2026 Colts. Daniel Jones will be a full-go from the start, and around him is what should be a stout offensive line unit and numerous playmakers at the skill positions.
Defensively, the Colts have high-end talent in the secondary, and three legitimate disruptors up front in Laiatu Latu, Grover Stewart, and DeForest Buckner.
That said, this team isn't without its questions as well. The depth at several key positions, including cornerback and the offensive line, is a major question, while it remains to be seen if this team has enough pass-rush juice around Latu at defensive end.
So with all of that
in mind, here is where the Colts land in the initial 2026 power rankings.
Nate Davis,USA Today: #22
"Seemingly healthy at long last, a team that's poured so much of its resources into QB Daniel Jones, WR Alec Pierce and CB Sauce Gardner is compelled to prove it's closer to the version that began 2025 with an 8-2 record … not the one which lost its final seven games."
Nick Shook, NFL.com: #20
"Indy's nine-figure investment in Alec Pierce came with immediate concerns when the receiver spent most of August on the PUP list following ankle surgery. He's since practiced fully, but it's fair to wonder how much the Colts can count on him against the Ravens in Week 1. Keenan Allen is expected to play in the opener despite his recent arrest on drunken driving charges, but expect plenty of work for Josh Downs and reliance on Jonathan Taylor in an offense that isn't exactly fully equipped to start the season."
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: #21
"This regime enters the season knowing they likely have to be a playoff team to stick around. I don't think they are good enough to do that."
Ralph Vacchiano, FOX Sports: #19
"There are two teams I fear I have vastly underrated in my preseason Power Rankings, and the Colts are one of them. I still have my doubts about Daniel Jones’ ability to bounce back from a major injury again. But so far, so good for him."
Mike Florio, NBC Sports: #23
"They desperately need Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor to stay healthy."
Frank Schwab, Yahoo! Sports: #19
"We didn't see Daniel Jones through the preseason, but reports from training camp and preseason have been positive as he comes back from a torn Achilles. The Colts scored just short of 30 points a game in the 12 games before Jones' injury, and 21.8 in the final five games of the season."
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Where Colts rank across NFL power rankings entering Week 1 of 2026
