Daniel Jones enters the 2026 fantasy football season returning ahead of schedule from an Achilles injury that ended last season after a red-hot start. He was leading one of the most dangerous offenses to open last year, something none of us saw coming and that leaves a very clear question as we prepare for this new season: Was it a mirage?
Should You Draft Daniel Jones in Fantasy Football?
The passing efficiency Jones showed early last year was a major outlier for his career profile. Before 2025, his first season with the Colts, Jones had never averaged even 7 yards per pass. However, he thrived initially in Shane Steichen’s scheme, averaging 8.1 YPA and looking like a completely different signal caller.
That efficiency translated directly to fantasy dominance, as he finished as a top-12 QB1 in 6 of his first 7 games. On the ground, his efficiency dipped slightly (his 3.6 yards per carry was a career low), but he still managed to rush for 5 scores, which was his second-best career output and anchored his fantasy floor.
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The primary concern for 2026 lies with his supporting cast. Michael Pittman Jr. is now in Pittsburgh, vacating massive target volume and an established safety blanket. Field-stretcher Alec Pierce’s health is spotty at best, a terrible sign after inking a nine-figure deal. The front office added veteran Keenan Allen to the room, but Allen didn’t have any free-agent interest until mid-August as he enters his age-34 season.
Looking at the remaining roster, Josh Downs is a player I like, but a role change in this transitioning offense always carries risk. At tight end, Tyler Warren is a star, and that provides some stability over the middle of the field, but holistically, this is below-average weaponry.
Given the limitations of the receiving corps and Jones’ ongoing recovery/risk, this is a team that very much could lean heavily into the ground game with Jonathan Taylor. Treat Jones as a risky buy and one that shouldn’t be counted on to repeat his success during the first half of 2025.
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Daniel Jones’ Week 1 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis provided by PFN Analyst Kyle Soppe.
I certainly didn’t think we’d be here. Jones tore his Achilles in Week 14 of last season, and there has been nothing of good reports since in terms of his recovery.
I’m skeptical by nature, but with no negative news at all, I have no reason to not assume full health. This team was THE story for much of last season: they scored 38 more points than any other team through Week 10. Heck, they had more points than the Saints and Browns had COMBINED for at the juncture.
The production was off the charts for any NFL team, never mind one that was led by a QB who had 10 TDs and 13 INTs over his final two seasons in New York. We can’t assume anything close to that, but we do have to at least acknowledge that there is a good amount of upside on the positive tail side of this distribution.
No Michael Pittman is going to dent what this offense wants to do, and the Ravens operating at the fourth-slowest pace on the other side very much could cap the sheer number of opportunities that Jones and Company gets.
I don’t have him ranked as a top-20 signal caller this week. It scares me a bit, but I’d rather leverage a matchup (Malik Willis at Vegas or Bryce Young vs. Chicago) if forced to pick out a diamond in the rough at the QB position.
START PREPARING: PFN’s FREE Fantasy Draft Simulator
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Where Jones Ranks Among 2026 Quarterbacks
- Kyler Murray | MIN
- Jared Goff | DET
- Tyler Shough | NO
- Malik Willis | MIA
- Baker Mayfield | TB
- Daniel Jones | IND
- C.J. Stroud | HOU
- Sam Darnold | SEA
- Cam Ward | TEN
- Bryce Young | CAR
- Jacoby Brissett | ARI
Know the position inside and out with every QB, ranked, on PFN’s 2026 PPR Board.
