The Indianapolis Colts are exactly an NFL glamour team, a hot spot for upper-echelon free agents, or a team that makes sports talk shows A blocks, but that doesn't mean the Colts are completely void of high-profile players or stars.
In fact, the Colts have a rich history of high-profile players, and much of their success came from some of them, such as Peyton Manning, who is the Colts' most notable and recognizable star in franchise history.
There are no Mannings in Indianapolis today, however, nor are there any Reggie Waynes, Marvin Harrisons, Dwight Freeney's, or Robert Mathis's, but there are some stars, and rising ones too.
Alec Pierce and Tyler Warren could represent the Indianapolis Colts on CBS Sports' Top 100 list next year
CBS Sports published its list of the NFL's 100 Most Important Players this week, and every name you would expect made it. NFL senior writer Zachary Pereles, who created the list, found room for not one, not two, but three Colts' players, but it's the two names who weren't listed that could very well find their way onto that list in next year's publication.
Quarterback Daniel Jones, running back Jonathan Taylor, and cornerback Sauce Gardner were all recognized as three of the NFL's top 100 most important players going into the 2026 season. Given all three's value to the Colts, there's no argument against them making the list.
Jones, who isn't a top-10 or -15 quarterback in the NFL, is, without question, the most valuable player in Indianapolis; just look at what happened last year after he suffered a season-ending injury. If Jones goes down again next season, so do the Colts.
Taylor and Gardner are also no-brainers to make the list as they are each the best players on their respective sides of the ball. Like Jones, if either gets injured and misses significant time, the Colts will also suffer.
So with Jones, Taylor, and Gardner on the list, could there be other Colts' players that have a shot at making that same list in the future, even as soon as next year? That's where wide receiver Alec Pierce and tight end Tyler Warren enter the picture. Both offensive players have incredibly high ceilings and are just getting started in their careers.
For Pierce, he's now the No. 1 option in Indianapolis and is without question Pro-Bowl-caliber. If he has a monstrous season, and the Colts rely on him significantly to move the ball and put up touchdowns, Pierce can surely make CBS's list.
As for Warren, his rookie season went off like a hitch, exceeding expectations, in turn, raising them for the new season ahead. Warren is already considered one of the top tight ends in the league alongside Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, and Sam LaPorta. Barring a second-year slump, Warren has every shot to be one of the NFL's most important players next year.
What works in Pierce's and Warren's favor is that each is a focal point of the Colts' offense. Both will be relied upon heavily by Jones and the Colts' coaching staff to produce on offense. Both have a trajectory that's leaning toward superstar players, so if they, or at least one, make Pereles's list next year, no Colts fan should be surprised.
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