Rebuilding seems to be the theme for the 2012 Indianapolis Colts and for good reason. This is a team that went an NFL-worst 2-14 and ranked near the bottom of the league in yards (30th) and points per game (tied 28th). For the disaster that was the 2011 season, it wasn’t all bad, considering the Colts were able to pick up Andrew Luck who officially brings an end of the Peyton Manning era in Indianapolis.
Here are the guys in Indianapolis that you should have on your list come time to do the fantasy draft.
*Credit to Cold Stone Creamery for inspiring the categories for this set of fantasy previews. However, I cannot guarantee the fantasy players will live up to high expectations like their delicious ice cream does.
GOTTA HAVE THEM (Elite Category – These guys are must have for any fantasy team)
No Current Colts Fit In This Class
LOVE THEM (These guys are game-changers who are a breakout season or two from becoming elite)
No Current Colts Fit In This Class
LIKE THEM (These guys are solid fantasy options who should help any fantasy team win)
RB Donald Brown (2011 Finish: 35th ranked RB at 6.0 points per game)
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that the Colts are without any fantasy studs in 2012 because rebuilding doesn’t really flow with the game of fantasy. But if anyone is going to break out, running back and former first round pick Donald Brown will be the guy. He showed some nice breakaway speed in 2011 and has the skill-set to be a two-way back. With Joseph Addai in New England, Brown has the job all to himself and should have no problem holding off teammate Delone Carter for the lead job in Indianapolis. Projected to be picked anywhere in the six to ninth round, Brown could be a great flex play for any fantasy team. The only concerns with this runner is his ability to find the end-zone (something which might not happen much with the Colts below average offense) and three new starters on the offensive line.
WR Reggie Wayne (2011 Finish: 29th ranked WR at 7.1 points per game)
Wayne is a dependable veteran (turns 34 in November) whose production has faltered over the past couple of seasons. With Peyton Manning, Wayne was an elite receiver, but now has the rookie Andrew Luck to try to connect with on the back-end of his career. In the six to eighth round, Wayne could be a great value pick because he knows how to get touchdowns, but his fantasy value hinges completely on his chemistry with Luck. The one thing that Wayne and ultimately Luck will have going for them is that they most likely will be airing the ball out a lot to try to catch up to teams romping on them.
OUT OF STOCK (These guys can not yet be counted on to bring greatness to a fantasy team)
RB Delone Carter
WR Austin Collie
TE Coby Fleener
QB Andrew Luck
What do you think of the 2012 Indianapolis Colts Fantasy Outlook? Did I miss anything or was it pretty spot on? Let me know by commenting below!
Nick Grays is a senior writer at the Sports Bank where he covers the Wisconsin Badgers, Green Bay Packers, and Milwaukee Brewers. He also enjoys to share Fantasy Advice and pretend to be a Golf expert from time-to-time. Follow him on Twitter by clicking here or visit his blog Nick Knows Best.
More TSB Fantasy Team Previews:
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills
Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots
New York Jets
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh Steelers
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Pictures:
Donald Brown (nypost.com)
Reggie Wayne (thebiglead.com)