While the 2021 NFL season is still months away, it is never too early to prepare for the fantasy season. Whether it’s research, mock drafts, or going with your gut, everyone has a way to prepare for their fantasy drafts. However, this isn’t another article to help you prepare for the fantasy season. Today, I am going to give three bold fantasy predictions for the Indianapolis Colts in 2021.
All stats are base on PPR scoring.
Be sure to check out all of Fanelli’s Fantasy Predictions.
Carson Wentz Finishes as a Top-12 Quarterback
Last season, Wentz was awful. He finished as the QB22 on a point per game basis. Despite playing only 12 games, he finished tied for first in the NFL with 15 interceptions. However, the trade to Indianapolis was exactly what Wentz needed. During the 2017 season, current Colts head coach Frank Reich was Wentz’s offensive coordinator. That year, Wentz was the favorite to win MVP before suffering a torn ACL. In 13 games, Wentz averaged 26.7 fantasy points per game, finishing as the QB2 on a point per game basis. Furthermore, the Eagles finished seventh in offensive yards and third in points scored, with Wentz under center in 2017. With the best offensive line in the league and plenty of weapons around him, expect Wentz to bounce back this season.
Jonathan Taylor leads the League in Rushing Touchdowns
As a rookie, Taylor finished tied for sixth in the NFL with 11 rushing touchdowns. However, his slow start kept him from finishing higher. Over his first 11 games of the season, Taylor had only four rushing touchdowns while averaging 13.5 rushing attempts per game. However, over the last four games of the season, Taylor had seven rushing touchdowns while averaging 21 rushing attempts per game. More importantly, Taylor played an average of 66.5 percent of the snaps in those final four games compared to 45 percent over the first 11. Taylor’s late-season surge should give the Colts all the confidence they need to make him the focal point of their offense. Furthermore, it shouldn’t come as a surprise if Taylor leads the league in most rushing categories.
T.Y. Hilton Finishes as a Top-30 Wide Receiver
While Hilton is on the wrong side of 30, the speedy receiver is due for a bounce-back season. Over the past two seasons, Hilton has dealt with quarterbacks who weren’t able to throw the ball downfield. In 2018 with Andrew Luck, Hilton averaged a career-high 10.6 yards per target. By comparison, he has 7.4 and 8.2 yards per target over the last two seasons. Meanwhile, Wentz averaged 4.8 deep ball attempts (further than 20 air yards) per game last season despite a lack of weapons. In 2018, Hilton finished as the WR14 in 14 games, averaging 17.1 fantasy points per game. While he won’t return to his end-high WR2 level, Hilton has become a complete afterthought in most drafts.
According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Hilton is being selected in the late 11th round as the WR51 on average. Some wide receivers going ahead of him include DeVante Parker, Cole Beasley, and Henry Ruggs. While Hilton is on the wrong side of 30, the addition of Wentz will help him rebound to his old form. Furthermore, the Colts made it a priority to re-sign Hilton this offseason. They also waited till the seventh round of the draft to add a wide receiver. Hilton has all the tools needed to finish as a top-30 wide receiver and weekly flex option for fantasy owners.
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