Indianapolis Colts 2022 Fantasy Outlook: Jonathan Taylor Great to Generational

The Indianapolis Colts have the instruments to have the very best staff within the AFC South. They’ve an electrical rising younger stud working again with Jonathan Taylor, which is one thing Matt Ryan hardly ever had in his time with the Falcons. With a prime offensive line and glorious run sport, Ryan ought to excel with play-action passes whereas upgrading the Colts’ general offense. As well as, Michael Pittman Jr. ought to be a giant winner with the change at quarterback. There’s a successful fantasy alternative for the second wideout on this offense, with the early favorites being Alec Pierce and Parris Campbell.

OFFENSE

Indy ran the ball 49.4% of the time final 12 months with a formidable variety of runs of 20 yards (19) and 40 yards (5). Nevertheless, poor quarterback play and questionable receiving depth behind Michael Pittman led to weaker than anticipated passing outcomes.

QUARTERBACKS

Matt Ryan — click on right here for fantasy projection

Different choices: Nick Foles, Sam Ehlinger, Jack Coan

RUNNING BACKS

The expansion and explosiveness of Jonathan Taylor led to Indy gaining 5.2 yards per rush with an extra rise in working touchdowns (23). General, the Colts’ backs had 12 fewer touches than in 2020 (539) whereas gaining 2,999 mixed yards. The drop-off in catches (82) from 2020 (115) was a change in playstyle from Philip Rivers to Carson Wentz. Final season, Matt Ryan regarded extra to his working backs within the passing sport (110/896/6 on 145 targets) than his earlier three years.

Jonathan Taylor — click on right here for fantasy projection

Nyheim Hines

Hines went from early-season thorn to Jonathan Taylor to fantasy bench hotter over his closing eight weeks. He performed effectively in Week 1 (82 mixed yards with six catches), Week 3 (79 mixed yards with one landing and 5 catches), and Week 9 (108 mixed yards with one rating and 4 catches), however Hines scored fewer than 5.0 fantasy factors in PPR leagues in 9 different matchups. Because of this, he completed the 12 months because the forty eighth ranked working again (114.80 fantasy factors), 32 slots decrease than 2020 (193.20 fantasy factors).

Fantasy outlook: Hines brings handcuff worth to Taylor, however he shall be difficult to time once more in 2022, given his inconsistent utilization. His greatest worth is available in a chaser sport or presumably when Indy blows out an opponent, and Hines will get the majority of the closing touches. His early ADP (139) ranked him because the forty seventh working again drafted. I view him as essential to a Taylor staff, however I received’t look to snipe Hines earlier than his draft worth this season. With a ground of 40 catches, he does have an opportunity at 800 mixed yards and a handful of scores with higher general play by the Colts’ offense.

Phillip Lindsay

After two productive years (192/1,037/9 and 224/1,011/7 with 79 mixed catches for 437 yards and one rating) for the Broncos, Lindsay struggled to make performs and keep wholesome over the previous two seasons. Between the Texans and the Dolphins in 2021, he gained solely 249 yards on 88 rushes (2.8 per carry) with a minimal alternative within the passing sport (4/45/1).

Fantasy outlook: There will not be many fights for Lindsay in fantasy drafts this 12 months, however I might see him working as an early-down possibility if Jonathan Taylor had any difficulty. For now, he’s a participant to observe simply in case his inventory spikes as a consequence of an harm to a Colts’ again.

Different choices: Deon Jackson, Ty’Son Williams, D’Vonte Value

WIDE RECEIVERS

Huge receiver manufacturing in Indy has been a difficulty for the previous three seasons. On the optimistic aspect, their catches (183), targets (287), and touchdowns (17) had been three-year excessive. The Colts’ wideouts caught 55.5% of their completions in 2021 whereas gaining 62% of their receiving yards. I anticipate all of those stats to be greater with Matt Ryan beginning.

Michael Pittman Jr. — click on right here for fantasy projection

Parris Campbell

Accidents led to solely 13 video games performed over his first three seasons within the league. A left knee harm in 2020 that required surgical procedure led to him lacking the ultimate 15 video games. Final 12 months a damaged foot value Campbell one other 11 video games. He has 34 catches for 360 yards and two touchdowns thus far in his quick profession.

At first look, Campbell offers me the texture of an amazing participant as soon as he provides extra higher physique power to assist him within the NFL vs. press protection. His velocity (4.31 40-yard sprint on the NFL mix) was electrical whereas additionally providing imaginative and prescient and open area capability. Ohio State used him on many performs near the road of scrimmage as a pass-catcher in 2018, resulting in a breakout season (90/1063/12).

Campbell confirmed explosiveness as a runner in his first two years in faculty (14/186/2). His short-area quickness brings an edge within the slot whereas working greatest when having a free launch vs. zone protection. Campbell wants to enhance his route working plus present progress in his arms in tight protection. I like his actions with the ball in his arms, and I anticipate him to suit effectively within the Colts’ offense that desires to make defenses defend the entire area.

Fantasy outlook: Parris will go undrafted in early leagues along with his injury-prone tag and empty stats on his profession resume. If the summer time studies are optimistic, his pure development shall be a WR2 or WR3 for the Colts. I’ll maintain an open thoughts on his fantasy worth if he earns a beginning job on opening day. Parris might be a four-catch-a-week man in 2022.

Alec Pierce

Over 32 video games in faculty over the previous three seasons, Pierce caught 106 of his 173 targets (61.3%) for 1,851 yards and 13 touchdowns. His greatest season got here in 2021 (52/884/8). He involves the NFL with an edge in measurement (6’3” and 210 lbs.) and velocity (4.41 within the 40-yard sprint on the 2022 NFL mix), however Pierce does have some limitations in his short-area quickness and launch. He performs with a tight-end mentality that initiatives effectively in run blocking and successful tight protection. Pierce will not win along with his route working over the primary 10 yards previous the road of scrimmage, however his build-up velocity will create separation downfield. Pierce ought to shine within the pink zone whereas scoring on many fade-type passes.

Fantasy outlook: His faculty resume is comparatively quick, and I don’t see Pierce getting a bunch of simple catches near the road of scrimmage, so he initiatives extra as their WR3 in his rookie season. A profitable 12 months can be 50 catches for 750 yards with about 5 scores.

Different choices: Mike Strachan, Ashton Dulin, Dezmon Patmon, Keke Coutee

TIGHT ENDS

The tight finish alternative for the Colts light over the previous two seasons, primarily as a result of they lacked a reliable star possibility. Indy will search for the tight ends within the pink zone (eight touchdowns in 2020 and 2021).

Mo Alie-Cox

Final season, Indy gave Alie-Cox the second-most large receiver snaps, however he solely caught 24 passes for 316 yards and 4 touchdowns on 45 targets. He by no means had greater than three catches in a sport or greater than 50 yards receiving. His stats look higher after his 2020 season (31/394/2 on 39 targets).

Fantasy outlook: The Colts signed Alie-Cox to a three-year $18 million contract final March. He initiatives as their starter, however Indianapolis will nonetheless rotate in a few different choices. Alie-Cox has no beginning fantasy worth apart from an occasional harm cowl if he begins the 12 months with success.

Jelani Woods

After a quiet first three seasons at Oklahoma State (31/361/4) over 22 video games, Woods performed significantly better in 2021 (44/598/8) after transferring to Virginia. His general blocking isn’t the place it must be, however he has but to fill into his physique. Within the passing sport, Woods provides questionable arms and route working. His success final 12 months in receiving doesn’t look repeatable early in his NFL profession.

Different choices: Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, Michael Jacobson, Nikola Kalinic

KICKER

Rodrigo Blankenship

Blankenship made 32 of his 37 area aim probabilities in his rookie season whereas lacking two of his three tries from 50 yards or extra. His 12 months ended with three missed area targets in six kicks. He failed on two of his 45 additional factors. In 2021, Blankenship noticed his season finish after 5 video games with a proper hip harm. He completed the 12 months with 11-for-14 in his area targets whereas lacking his solely kick from 50 yards.

Fantasy outlook: The Colts scored 52 touchdowns, and 35 area aim makes an attempt final 12 months. Blankenship doesn’t have an effect leg from lengthy vary, and Indianapolis will typically rating within the pink zone with their plus run sport. He initiatives as a prime 10 kicker with upside if Blankenship can enhance from lengthy vary.

COACHING

Over his 4 seasons as a head coach, Frank Reich went 37-28 with two playoff appearances. He began his NFL teaching profession with the Colts in 2008 whereas having 13 seasons of teaching expertise, with 4 years coming as an offensive coordinator.

Marcus Brady returns for his second 12 months because the offensive coordinator for Indianapolis after working with their quarterbacks over the earlier three seasons. He’s been with the Colts since 2018 after spending eight seasons within the Canadian Soccer League, the place Brady was a part of three Gray Cups.

Indy dropped to sixteenth in offensive yards with the identical ends in factors scored (451 – ninth).

Gus Bradley takes over because the Colts’ defensive coordinator after holding the identical place over the earlier 4 seasons with the Chargers and Raiders. He went 14-48 over 4 years as the pinnacle coach of the Jaguars. Bradley has been within the NFL since 2006, with most of his expertise coming as a defensive coordinator.

The Colts ranked sixteenth in yards allowed with a slight bump to ninth in factors allowed (365).

FREE AGENCY

Indianapolis’s prime splash in free company was the addition of CB Stephon Gilmore. He has a protracted historical past of being a prime protection participant, however accidents led to missed video games over the previous two seasons. The Colts moved on from T Eric Fisher, WR T.Y. Hilton, G Mark Glowinski, CB Xavier Rhodes, and RB Marlon Mack. They added T Dennis Kelly and S Rodney McLeod.

DRAFT

The Colts didn’t have a first-round decide on this 12 months’s draft. Indy invested their first three alternatives to their offense – WR Alec Pierce (2.21), TE Jelani Woods (3.9), and Bernhard Raimann (3.13) plus TE Andrew Ogletree within the sixth spherical. Their remaining additions got here on the defensive aspect of the ball (S Nick Cross, DT Eric Johnson, DT Curtis Brooks, and CB Rodney Thomas).

OFFENSIVE LINE

The Colts climbed to second in dashing yards (2,540) with 20 touchdowns and 19 runs over 20 yards. Their ball carriers gained 5.1 yards per rush.

Indy fell to twenty eighth in passing yards (3,588) with 27 touchdowns and eight interceptions whereas gaining solely 6.9 yards per cross try. Their offensive line allowed solely 32 sacks.

Their offensive line has a big query at left sort out, with the hopes that Bernhard Raiman can emerge as their starter. The Colts have three prime gamers (Quenton Nelson, Ryan Kelly, and Braden Smith) with a below-par possibility at proper guard. The success of this line is helped in working blocking the explosiveness of Jonathan Taylor. General, this group ought to proceed to be an edge within the run sport whereas anticipating to grade above the league common in cross safety.

DEFENSE

Indy slipped to tenth in dashing yards allowed (1,854). They gave up 4.4 yards per carry, with ball carriers scoring 10 touchdowns and 10 runs over 20 yards.

The Colts bumped as much as nineteenth in cross yards allowed (3,980). Their protection completed with 43 sacks whereas permitting 32 passing touchdowns with 19 interceptions.

LB Darius Leonard stays Indy’s prime defender in opposition to the run, however he didn’t document a sack for the primary time in his four-year profession. LB Bobby Okereke made tons of tackles (132), though his run protection was a legal responsibility. The important thing to their protection is the event of DE Kwity Paye. Indy has one potential edge within the secondary (Stephon Gilmore), and DE Yannick Ngakoue ought to assist this cross rush.

This protection has a threat/reward really feel, with their greatest success coming once they play from the lead. The Colts rank 4th within the early drafts season within the NFFC, however I don’t respect their general defensive roster. Extra of a matchup within the fantasy market.

2022 FANTASY OUTLOOKS
AFC East: Payments | Dolphins | Patriots | Jets
AFC North: Ravens | Bengals | Browns | Steelers
AFC South: Texans | Colts | Jaguars | Titans
AFC West: Broncos | Chiefs | Raiders | Chargers
NFC East: Cowboys | Giants | Eagles | Commanders
NFC North: Bears | Lions | Packers | Vikings
NFC South: Falcons | Panthers | Saints | Buccaneers
NFC West: Cardinals | Rams | 49ers | Seahawks