Indianapolis Colts 2013 Fantasy Football Preview
Jun 11, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass during minicamp at the Indianapolis Colts Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Fantasy Stud — Andrew Luck, QB
It’s tough not to put Reggie Wayne at the top of the Colts’ fantasy football power rankings list, but it’s even harder not to think that Andrew Luck isn’t going to go off this season. Luck had a stellar rookie campaign, but the high standard he holds himself to wasn’t even close to being met.
Luck is a superstar in the making who reminds me a lot of Aaron Rodgers. He has ice running through his veins, and the situation doesn’t get to big for him. He will still make some odd throws at times, but he’s constantly getting better and he has huge fantasy upside in his second season.
The Colts are going to grow as Luck grows, and he has better targets this year than he did last year. Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener are two great, young options at the TE/FB/H-B positions, while Reggie Wayne is as reliable as they come at receiver. Ahmad Bradshaw is a dependable, experienced tailback, and the Colts also have a big time breakout candidate in T.Y. Hilton at the WR position.
Things are looking up for Mr. Luck.
Fantasy Risk — Coby Fleener, TE
Fleener was the Colts’ second round pick last year, and for good reason. He came into the league with chemistry with his QB Andrew Luck, and he has great size/speed/hands. He is a red zone threat and a mismatch at the TE position, but I want to see him grow before I consider him to be a safer option than fellow second year player Dwayne Allen.
Allen had the better rookie season, and looked like he was progressing much faster as well. Fleener is going to need to make strides in year two to get more involved in the offensive gameplan, but there’s no denying he has the talent to be able to be a star in this league.
If Fleener can show some flashes early in the season, he is worth picking up right away. I still think he’s a bit risky at this point.
Fantasy Sleeper — T.Y. Hilton, WR
I love Hilton’s fantasy potential in 2013. In fact, don’t tell those who I play fantasy football with, but I plan on taking him in mostly every league this year if possible. I think Hilton is going to go unnoticed by most fantasy players, so if you want my advice, bet on this kid.
He received 90 targets last year, catching 50 passes for 861 yards and seven touchdowns, also returning a kick for a touchdown. I also think the Colts can utilize Hilton out of the backfield every now and again. Either way, I think they’re going to look to get him as many touches as possible, and I think he could bump up to the 125 target range in the passing game as well.
Last year, Donnie Avery (now of the Chiefs) was targeted 124 times in the Colts’ offense, and if you spread Hilton’s percentages and numbers out with that figure in mind, he would have caught 68 passes for over 1,100 yards and 1o touchdowns.
Of course, there is the risk with Hilton that he’s merely a big play guy, but I think he can be effective on the outside with his vertical speed as well as in the slot with his quickness and playmaking ability after the catch. I’m really high on Hilton for 2013.