NFL preseason report: Indianapolis Colts

This page will be regularly updated with news and analysis regarding the Colts’ skill position players throughout training camp and the preseason. ⬆︎ ⬇︎ Indicate which way a player’s fantasy value is trending and (R) denotes rookies.

Things are looking up for the Colts this year as Warren Sharp’s got them projected to face the 11st easiest 2018 schedule.

Quarterback

Andrew Luck ⬆︎ -- The good: On the “Colts, Jags, and Underwear Drawers” episode of the Fantasy Focus Podcast, Stephania Bell brought up a few observations from the Colts’ preseason game against the Seahawks regarding Luck’s recovery. Most notably he took a hit directly onto his surgically repaired shoulder and showed no ill effects in the immediate aftermath. Similarly he was later sacked but showed his trademark Andrew Luck Toughness by quickly returning to his feet and joining the huddle. In her estimation, both occurrences bode well for Luck’s 2018 outlook.

The badish?: No pass traveled further than 20 yards through the air. Although Bell was thrilled with the progress, the fact of the matter is he’s still being given a limited workload and we’re less than a month away from the beginning of the season. I’m more optimistic on Luck than I was a couple weeks ago but I want to see him chuck it deep against the Ravens tonight and feel a-okay in the ensuing days before feeling confident in drafting him at his 8th round ADP.

*Update (Part 1) 8/22/18: Last Thursday on the Fantasy Guru 2018 Preseason Podcast #3, Greg Cosell shared that he’d “heard a report that — from someone who was out there — that Andrew Luck is not really looking very good”. This is an interesting development and we’ll need to follow Cosell’s updates on the story.

*Update (Part 2) 8/22/18: On Tuesday’s Fantasy Focus Podcast, Stephania Bell noted that although Andrew Luck was not throwing deep during preseason action, she watched him throw deep numerous times, with accuracy, at practice .

Jacoby Brissett ⬆︎ -- Brissett played well last season, despite atrocious playcalling. Should he see significant playing time this year, I love him as a streaming option given the cake schedule and drastically improved offensive coaching staff.

Running Back

Marlon Mack ⬇ -- Drafting Marlon Mack at his current 6th round ADP is a fool’s errand. Preseason hamstring injuries tend to linger through the regular season and there are more talented options waiting in the wings.

Nyheim Hines (R) ⬇ -- Everybody’s sleeper darling of the 2018 offseason has played poorly thus far in the preseason. Billed as the man to fill the Darren Sproles Role, drafters have fallen in love with him. Let your league mates draft him at the beginning of the 13th. If he falls, consider him as a PPR option but don’t get your hopes too high.

Jordan Wilkins (R) ⬆︎ -- I’ve been a Wilkins truther for months now. At 6’1” 216lbs, he’s got NFL size and has shown well in all fields of bellcow back-dom. The running back who gets work on 1st and 2nd and is trusted to keep Andrew Luck upright on 3rd is the man you want to own in the Colts backfield. That’s Jordan Wilkins. He’s taking first team reps at practice as of late. Take him at the end of the 13th.

*An important note: Sharp has the Colts projected to face the league’s easiest run schedule in 2018. Whichever back separates from the rest and earns significant touches should be in line for a productive fantasy season.

Robert Turbin ⬇ -- Turbo and his bulging biceps finally got popped for PEDs. A few months ago there was talk of Turbin siphoning off goal-line work. That seems unlikely now.

Christine Michael ⬇ -- CMike will always be the greatest running back that never was. I watched him for years in Seattle. All the talent in the world, he just couldn’t put it all together.

Wide Receivers

T.Y. Hilton ⬆︎ -- There’s no place to go but up for T.Y. after a subpar 2017 campaign. I’m currently still avoiding him at his 3rd round ADP but he’d be worth it if Luck shows us that he’s fully recovered by the end of the preseason.

Chester Rogers ⬇ -- There’s no notable news on Rogers. Avoid him in drafts.

Ryan Grant ⬆︎ -- The veteran receiver has taken over the No. 2 job so he’s technically trending up. Unless I see Luck targeting him on 3rd or in the redzone, in the preseason, I won’t be drafting him though.

Daurice Fountain (R) ⬇ -- Fountain managed to make the news… due to a practice fight. Like Rogers, avoid him in drafts.

Deon Cain (R) -- The promising rookie’s season has been derailed by a torn ACL.

Tight End

Jack Doyle ⬆︎ -- Warren Sharp noted in his 2018 Football Preview that new Colts OC Frank Reich frequently deploys tight end-heavy personnel groupings. He also brought up Doyle’s short field receiving prowess. Combine these with Luck’s current, short depth of target and you’ve got a potential TE1 one on your hands, who should see plenty of work in the redzone.

Eric Ebron ⬇ -- Offenses rarely produce two fantasy relevant tight ends and Doyle is a superior talent in all facets of the position.