NFL training camps are open, and for millions of people worldwide their fantasy football preparation has begun in earnest. Here at Sports World News we will break down all 32 NFL teams in terms of their fantasy value. Readers will find the must-own players in every format, the sleepers in specific formats, and hidden gems only necessary for those in very deep leagues.
Today's preview will be on the Indianapolis Colts. As always, average draft position (ADP) is pulled from FantasyPros.com.
Must Owns
Andrew Luck, QB (ADP: 10): Luck is the second QB off the board on average, but with Packers WR Jordy Nelson out for the year, Luck should be No. 1. Luck made a huge leap last season from 23 to 40 touchdowns. Get used to that, and his interceptions (16) should decrease. He's draftable in the first round if you're so inclined, no matter the taboo of taking QBs that early.
T.Y. Hilton, WR (ADP: 22): If you can get over him being 185 pounds soaking wet, you’ll see an elite WR1. Just because Hilton plays a bunch out of the slot doesn’t mean he can’t put up the numbers of his bigger-name peers. He’s caught 82 passes in back-to-back seasons, and should have more free space with the additions to Indy’s offense.
Frank Gore, RB (ADP: 31): Gore is being a little overdrafted at this spot. Yes, he should be productive and he could score double-digit touchdowns. He is also turning 33 this season, and running backs sometimes fall off a performance cliff in a hurry. That’s not a prediction, just caution.
Can Texans WR DeAndre Hopkins Escape WR Prison?
Andre Johnson, WR (ADP: 41): Johnson, 34, has been tailing off the past few years. He’s also had some of the worst QB play in the NFL, and now he’s catching passes from arguably the best passer in the league. If he’s got anything left, this will be one of the best years of Johnson’s career.
Adam Vinateri, K (ADP: 105): Vinateri, no matter his age, is one of the most reliable kickers in the game. And he was perfect from 50-plus yards out.
Sleepers (Best Format)
Dwayne Allen, TE, Standard (ADP: 110): Allen shouldn’t be going after a kicker. That’s dumb. However, Allen is pretty touchdown dependent, so be wary that there may be weeks in which he puts up fewer than five points.
Coby Fleener, TE, Standard (ADP: 139): 29 picks—and four tight ends—later, Fleener can offer very similar production to Allen. The former will be better over 16 games, but Fleener makes bigger plays and will have a bigger impact in single games.
Phillip Dorsett, WR, PPR (ADP: 218): Dorsett will get time in the slot for the Colts, and he will benefit from defenses being unable to focus on him. The best case is five or six touchdowns on short passes that allow him to blow by defenders in space. That’s optimistic, but possible.
Deep Finds (Best Format)
Donte Moncrief, WR, PPR (ADP: 208): If Dorsett doesn’t get the nod in three-WR sets, Moncrief will. Everything I said about Dorsett applies.
Daniel “Boom” Herron, RB, Standard (ADP: 244): If something happens to Gore, Herron has proven he’s a must-start player in this offense. He’s no star, but as an RB2 with a full workload you can do a lot worse.
For more content, follow us on Twitter @SportsWN or LIKE US on Facebook
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
