Draft Zone: 9th Ranked Quarterback – Colts Andrew Luck

Indianapolis Colts Andrew Luck is the 9th ranked quarterback in this year’s 2013 fantasy draft standings. With an Average Draft Position (ADP) of 62, he’s likely to be taken sometime in the fifth or sixth round of most fantasy drafts.

Luck had an unbelievable rookie season in 2012 throwing for a record-breaking 4,374 yards and 23 touchdowns. With changes to last year’s offensive scheme, it’s a major question of whether or not Luck can repeat his incredible fantasy numbers.

Last season, the young QB relied heavily on deep throws down the field. Former coach Bruce Arians’ offense attempted more passes of 20 yards or more than any other offense in the NFL. This allowed Luck to rack up sky-high yardage numbers. In turn, this also forced him to throw a miserable 18 interceptions, and record a completion percentage of just 54.1%.

As new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton implements his offense in Indianapolis, the team will likely rely on a more efficient, short passing attack to march down the field. As a result of this, Luck’s numbers may change for both the better and the worse.

For one thing, it’s possible that there could be a considerable drop off in yards, due to many less attempts down the field. The team will still focus a great deal on passing, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Luck record around 4,000 yards again. However, his amazing 4,300 yards from last year may be just out of reach.

Luck’s fantasy value may not improve much from last season, but it also may not decrease either. All things considered, he’s definitely a startable quarterback option. If you draft him, just try and find a solid backup to take in the later rounds as a safety net, like Josh Freeman or Carson Palmer.

Colts T.Y. Hilton on Fast Track to a Starting Job

After the first week of preseason action, there is no one generating more buzz than Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver, T.Y. Hilton. Currently the team’s third wide receiver, Hilton is having a tremendous camp and seems poised to win the starting job over number two wideout, Darrius Heyward-Bey, after shining in the Colts’ first preseason game on Sunday.

Labeled as a “freak” by head coach Chuck Pagano, Hilton was just that against the Bills on Sunday afternoon. Hilton finished the game with 3 catches for 61 yards, including a 45 yard touchdown reception from Matt Hasselbeck. While his touchdown came from the Colts backup quarterback, Hilton’s growing relationship with starter Andrew Luck was on display as they hooked up for two quick passes as well.

This year, Hilton is looking to build on his successful rookie campaign where he brought in 50 receptions for 861 yards and 7 touchdowns even with limited action in the team’s first 8 games. Hilton especially shined during his last 7 games, posting more yards and touchdowns than any other Colts player including fantasy stud, Reggie Wayne.

With more time to understand the Colts’ offense and more time to establish chemistry with quarterback, Andrew Luck, Hilton seems ready to standout for the Colts in 2013. Hilton is currently going off draft boards as the 31^st ranked wide receiver with an ADP of 84, but his stock will rise if he can win a starting spot – which seems very likely at this point.

Hilton should be considered a WR3, but clearly has tremendous upside and top-15 fantasy potential at his position. A speedster with a penchant for the big play (13 catches of 20+ yards last season), Hilton can easily put up Mike Wallace-like numbers for the Colts this year, so don’t let T.Y. Hilton blow by you in fantasy drafts this year.

False Alarm – Darrius Heyward-Bey Returns to Colts Practice

Initially thought to have suffered a Grade 1 sprain of his left MCL during Sunday’s practice, Colts wide receiver, Darrius Heyward-Bey, received good news Tuesday afternoon after an MRI revealed no structural damage.

With the MRI results showing no damage to ligaments in the knee, team doctors have diagnosed the injury as a sprained left knee rather than a sprain of the MCL. Initially, Chris Mortensen reported that Heyward-Bey was to miss significant time.

However, this was not the case as Heyward-Bey, who was wearing a brace on the knee while watching practice on Monday, was considered “day-to-day” by head coach Chuck Pagano.

According to team beat writer, Mike Chappell, Heyward-Bey was then given the green light to suit up for practice last night and was a limited participant in a rare evening practice held by the Colts. Heyward-Bey was reported as participating in position drills, but did not participate in team drills Tuesday night.

With this news, fantasy owners can let out a sigh of relief as Heyward-Bey was finally expected to live up to the first round pick the Raiders used to get him back in 2009. A significant injury would have derailed these hopes.

Meanwhile, returning to the practice field means Heyward-Bey won’t lose anymore ground to TY Hilton. Barring any setbacks, Heyward-Bey will line up next to Reggie Wayne as the team’s number two wide receiver in Week 1.

Scratch Darrius Heyward-Bey from Fantasy Sleeper Lists

Darrius Heyward-Bey’s quest to become a starting receiver for the Indianapolis Colts took a devastating hit when he was diagnosed with a serious MCL sprain after Sunday’s practice.

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that there is no timetable set for when Heyward-Bey may resume practicing.

The former Raiders wide receiver was in a heated competition against T.Y. Hilton to start the season lining up opposite of Reggie Wayne. He had fantasy sleeper written all over him, but will now tumble down draft boards as the regular season draws closer.

Heyward-Bey is expected to miss an extended period of time and there are no guarantees that he will be ready for the start of the regular season.

Draft Zone: 24th Ranked Tight End – Colts Coby Fleener

Colts tight end Coby Fleener has a position ranking of 24 going into his second NFL season. Fleener’s average draft position (ADP) is 190, making him a late 16th round pick in most standard 12 team fantasy league drafts.

Fleener’s ranking is obviously based upon potential production, but he could rank much high by season’s end. His PPR ranking is listed at 20, due to the many looks he should be receiving from Andrew Luck.

As a rookie, Fleener only managed to haul in 26 receptions for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns, in the 12 games he started a season ago. But things got better for Fleener the moment the Colts hired Pep Hamilton as team’s new offensive coordinator.

Hamilton coached Fleener and Luck when they were teammates at Stanford. In 3 years at Stanford, these two offensive stars connected for 1,367 yards and 18 touchdowns. With Hamilton calling the shots, the organization is hoping that Fleener and Luck can rekindle some of that college magic.

Organized team activities seemed to mimic the high expectations for the young tight end as he was used heavily in Hamilton’s newly adopted offensive schemes. If you still need a tight end when the 12 round rolls around, Fleener might just be worth a look.

Draft Zone: 25th Ranked Tight End – Colts Dwayne Allen

Dwayne Allen of the Indianapolis Colts is the 25th ranked tight end this season in fantasy football. With an overall Average Draft Position (ADP) of 207, Allen will likely go undrafted in 10 to 12-team standard leagues.

Allen had a solid rookie season, recording 45 receptions for 521 yards and eight touchdowns in 2012. He outperformed fellow rookie tight end, Coby Fleener, in every receiving category last season. However, this was not enough to earn him the starting job this season. Allen is expected to rank #2 on the depth chart behind Fleener.

Allen stands at only 6’3” and doesn’t possess very good speed, running just a 4.89 40-yard dash. He is physically inferior to Fleener, who has explosive speed and a much larger frame at 6’6”.

Yet, Allen’s strength and soft hands give him more value as a short-area receiver, therefore he is one of Andrew Luck’s better options for moving the chains. This increases his value in PPR leagues, as he can rack up receptions in this role.

Colts new offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton will be reuniting with Luck and Fleener, who he coached at Stanford. Expect him to attempt to re-ignite the connection that these two players once had, further pushing Allen out of the picture.

Allen will go undrafted in standard leagues, so keep an eye on him on the waiver wire as the season progresses. He can be worth adding if Fleener gets injured.

Coby Fleener Hopes to become Andrew Luck’s Favorite Target

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Coby Fleener and Andrew Luck possessed one of the strongest tight end-quarterback threats in college football when they played together at Stanford. Luck, who was taken first overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts went on to win Rookie of the Year accolades last season.

To help the young star develop into a top tier quarterback, the Colts selected Fleener as the 34^th overall pick in hopes the duo’s chemistry would carry over into the NFL. During their senior season at Stanford, Fleener hauled in 34 receptions for 667 yards and team high 10 touchdowns receptions.

Going into their second season together, the Colts are hoping that Fleener can further build on his connection with Luck and become one of his deadliest receiving weapons. As a rookie, Fleener recorded 26 receptions for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns.

According to reports, Fleener is expected to see a heavy increase in targets during the 2013 season. However, fellow rookie tight end Dwayne Allen, the Colts’ third round selection in 2012, was targeted significantly more than Fleener and recorded 521 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Fleener was the fifth leading receiver for the Colts in 2012 and was targeted the fifth most out of all receivers. With Dwayne Allen out-playing  him last season, and with 13 year veteran Reggie Wayne still playing at a high level, don’t expect Fleener to step up and become Andrew Luck’s favorite target this season either. With a few more years to adjust to the NFL, Fleener could develop into a strong deep threat for Luck and the Colts.

Coby Fleener Hopes to become Andrew Luck’s Favorite Target

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Coby Fleener and Andrew Luck possessed one of the strongest tight end-quarterback threats in college football when they played together at Stanford. Luck, who was taken first overall in the 2012 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts went on to win Rookie of the Year accolades last season.

To help the young star develop into a top tier quarterback, the Colts selected Fleener as the 34^th overall pick in hopes the duo’s chemistry would carry over into the NFL. During their senior season at Stanford, Fleener hauled in 34 receptions for 667 yards and team high 10 touchdowns receptions.

Going into their second season together, the Colts are hoping that Fleener can further build on his connection with Luck and become one of his deadliest receiving weapons. As a rookie, Fleener recorded 26 receptions for 281 yards and 2 touchdowns.

According to reports, Fleener is expected to see a heavy increase in targets during the 2013 season. However, fellow rookie tight end Dwayne Allen, the Colts’ third round selection in 2012, was targeted significantly more than Fleener and recorded 521 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns.

Fleener was the fifth leading receiver for the Colts in 2012 and was targeted the fifth most out of all receivers. With Dwayne Allen out-playing  him last season, and with 13 year veteran Reggie Wayne still playing at a high level, don’t expect Fleener to step up and become Andrew Luck’s favorite target this season either. With a few more years to adjust to the NFL, Fleener could develop into a strong deep threat for Luck and the Colts.

Will Heyward-Bey See More Targets in Indy?

Indianapolis had a surprising season in 2012 with rookie Andrew Luck leading them to a playoff matchup against the eventual Super Bowl Champion Baltimore Ravens.

The Colts accomplished all of this on the arm of rookie Andrew Luck with very little run support.

During the offseason, the Colts signed Darrius Heyward-Bey in hopes that he can add another weapon for Andrew Luck and take some of the pressure off of the aging but spectacular Reggie Wayne who pulled in 106 catches last season for 1,355 yards during last year’s playoff run.

The Colts also hope that Heyward-Bey can create more matchup problems for the defense because of his ability to stretch the field.

Since being drafted with the 7th overall pick by the Raiders in 2009, Heyward-Bey never really lived up to all the hype. It’s quite possible that he was negatively impacted by the lack of talent at the quarterback position in Oakland.

The bottom line is that Heyward-Bey is a fantasy sleeper this season and could develop into a strong number two receiver behind Wayne.

Colts Lock Up Ahmad Bradshaw Deal

Free agent Ahmad Bradshaw and the Indianapolis Colts finally got the deal done on Tuesday. Bradshaw inked a one-year deal with Indy and Colts running back Vick Ballard has to be shaking his head this afternoon.

Several teams like the Steelers and Packers brought Bradshaw in for interviews, but concerns over his surgically repaired foot had him on the outside looking in.

If he’s healthy when camp rolls around, Bradshaw should have little trouble surpassing Ballard on the depth chart. Bradshaw is used to a crowded backfield from when he played with the New York Giants, but he always seemed to finish out on top.

Led by sophomore quarterback Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis offense is a great place for a proven running back like Bradshaw.

From a fantasy standpoint, every decision has to weighed out against the health of his foot. If Bradshaw is flying around during training camp, he is certainly a high end #2 running back with solid number one potential.