Every NFL team has some well-known players that the general football fan knows. The Indianapolis Colts certainly have a few. But players like Daniel Jones, Jonathan Taylor, Sauce Gardner, and DeForest Buckner need help from some lesser-known guys.
In Jones' case, he might need to be replaced by the quarterback who was third-string in 2025, even for just a handful of games. Jones hopes to return by Week 1 from injury, but if he can't, Indianapolis might need Riley Leonard to step up.
At other positions, such as edge rusher and inside linebacker, players will need to step up and fill voids left by outgoing veterans. Without production being replaced and augmented, Indy could fail. If the three players below get a chance to play, they could excel and become new fan-favorites.
These three Indianapolis Colts players could become new fan-favorites in 2026
Quarterback Riley Leonard
Obviously, Colts fans saw Leonard play in 2025, but he wasn't trusted to start any games except for the last one. The team could have chosen to start Leonard after Daniel Jones ruptured his Achilles tendon in Week 14. Instead of doing that, the team decided to bring Philip Rivers out of a five-year retirement. That was pretty telling of Indy's view of the rookie quarterback.
What made the issue worse for Indianapolis's decision-makers is that Leonard looked good when he got to start a meaningless game in Week 18 against an elite Houston Texans defense. Had Leonard started one of the games that Rivers had, maybe the Colts would have won one of those.
Riley Leonard is, therefore, an obvious underdog, and who doesn't want an underdog to be great? Leonard has a path to starting some for Indy in 2026 should Daniel Jones get injured once again. Assuming he gets rep and Anthony Richardson doesn't, Leonard could perform well enough to stun many NFL fans while making those who follow Indianapolis quite happy.
Edge rusher Caden Curry
Of all the sleepers on the Colts roster, Curry would be a choice among many to find high-end success. He is a local product who might have chosen to play at Indiana instead of Ohio State had the Hoosiers had the football program they have now when Curry left Center Grove High.
He also plays a position where Indianapolis needs help. Arden Key was signed in free agency to help productive edge rusher Laiatu Latu, but after those two, the group is iffy. Curry could make an immediate impact if the team gives him a chance.
Of note, it did take Curry a few years with the Buckeyes to truly become productive. He doesn't have that luxury in the NFL. He could be special, though, because he's a Colts fan and will be extra motivated to be good right away.
Linebacker Bryce Boettcher
Just like with edge rushers, the Indianapolis Colts group of inside linebackers is unproven. Fellow rookie CJ Allen has looked impressive and could be the green dot on defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo's unit. Playing next to Allen will probably be free agent signee Akeem Davis-Gaither, but he hasn't stuck with a team for too long recently.
That implies he might not be a long-time starter for Indianapolis, if he ever is one at all. Boettcher, though, is a tackling machine, and the team could decide to go with two rookies to start in the middle of the defense.
Assuming that happens, the fourth-rounder could prove to be a steal of the draft as he could excel immediately. He also covers well, which is something Indianapolis has lacked from its off-ball linebackers. Boettcher could ascend quickly to being an Indy lifer.
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