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Kylen Granson Kylen Granson Increased competition at TE
Sun, May 1, 2022, 10:06 PM
Granson faces increased competition for the No. 2 tight end role with the Colts drafting two tight ends in the 2022 NFL Draft, The Athletic reports. The Colts selected Jelani Woods in the third round (73rd overall) and Andrew Ogletree in the sixth round (192nd overall).
Analysis: Granson entered the offseason as a potential starting tight end after the retirement of Jack Doyle, but the Colts re-signed Mo Alie-Cox in free agency and then drafted two tight ends. It's unlikely Woods or Ogletree will compete for a significant role in the passing game, but Granson will need to earn the No. 2 tight end role in the offense this summer. |
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Ashton Dulin Ashton Dulin Signs tender with Indianapolis
Tue, Apr 19, 2022, 11:16 AM
Dulin signed a one-year, $2.4 million contract with the Colts on Tuesday.
Analysis: Previously a restricted free agent, Dulin was presumably unable to field an offer better than the $2.4 million tender from the Colts, so he'll return to Indianapolis for a fourth straight season. Last year, the third-year wideout caught 13 of 22 targets for 173 yards and two touchdowns while rushing three times for 32 yards -- all career highs. He was also a key contributor on special teams (279 snaps) and racked up 206 kick-return yards. With T.Y. Hilton's status for the 2022 campaign still up in the air and the NFL Draft around the corner, it's unclear what Indianapolis' wide receiver depth chart will look like heading into training camp. |
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Nyheim Miller-Hines Nyheim Hines Could see slot work
Fri, Apr 1, 2022, 10:45 AM
Hines is a candidate to benefit from the Colts' addition of quarterback Matt Ryan, Nate Atkins of the Indianapolis Star reports.
Analysis: Per Atkins, look for team to utilize Hines in more creative ways, which could include work out of the slot, a scenario that would boost the running back's touches while working behind top option Jonathan Taylor. Per JJ Stankevitz of the Colts' official site, the notion of Hines seeing more work out of the slot has been echoed by GM Chris Ballard, while coach Frank Reich has also suggested that the team will look to find ways to get the ball into the hands of the 2018 fourth-rounder more often. This past season, Hines logged 56 carries for 276 yards and two TDs in 17 games, while catching 40 of his 57 targets for 310 yards and a receiving score. The 25-year-old's catch and target totals last year while working with QB Carson Wentz represented career lows, but with Ryan at the helm, it's reasonable to expect Hines to see an uptick in both categories, and with that, increased PPR utility in 2022. |
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Kylen Granson Kylen Granson Should see increased opportunities
Thu, Mar 31, 2022, 12:41 PM
With Jack Doyle having retired, Granson is in a position to see an expanded role in the Colts' passing game this coming season, JJ Stankevitz of the team's official site reports.
Analysis: In his first NFL season, the 2021 fourth-rounder was limited to 11 catches (on 15 targets) for 106 yards in 17 games, but GM Chris Ballard believes that Granson has "big upside." While the SMU product still has sturdy blocker Mo Alie-Cox to contend with for targets and the team may add further tight end depth in advance of Week 1, Granson potentially could emerge as a fantasy sleeper at his position should the 6-foot-2, 242-pounder develop a productive rapport with Matt Ryan, the Colts' new signal-caller. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Re-ups with Colts for three years
Mon, Mar 14, 2022, 3:10 PM
Alie-Cox agreed Monday to re-sign with the Colts on a three-year, $18 million deal, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: The 6-foot-5, 267-pound Alie-Cox has proven not only to be a serviceable blocker since joining the Colts as an undrafted rookie in 2017, but he's also used his big frame and athleticism to become a reliable threat in the red zone. After coming to terms with Indianapolis on a new deal, Alie-Cox now appears set to move into an expanded role following the retirement of starting tight end Jack Doyle. Despite playing fewer than 70 percent of the Colts' offensive snaps in all but two of his 17 appearances in 2021, Alie-Cox turned in a 24-316-4 receiving line on 45 targets. With increased playing time likely on tap in 2022, Alie-Cox could emerge as a viable weekly starter at tight end in fantasy leagues. |
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Carson Wentz Carson Wentz Status with franchise TBD
Wed, Mar 2, 2022, 11:55 AM
As NFL free agency approaches, GM Chris Ballard acknowledged Tuesday that Wentz's future with the Colts has yet to be determined, Mike Wells of ESPN reports. "I don't have a direct answer for you," Ballard noted with regard to the QB's status with the franchise. "Jim [Irsay], Frank [Reich] and I will sit down over the next 10 days and figure out where it's going. Ultimately, we'll do what's best for the team in the short term and in the long term."
Analysis: The Colts acquired Wentz from the Eagles last February, but the report notes that the veteran signal-caller's in-game decisions were a cause for concern among members of the organization at various points during the 2021 campaign. As a result, the team has yet to commit to Wentz ahead of the 2022 season, which sets up a scenario in which it's possible that the franchise may may be looking for a new starting QB for the third time in as many offseasons. Per the report, Wentz -- whose contract runs through 2024 -- is slated to earn $15 million whether he's on Indy's roster or not next season, however the team can save about $13 million if he's released by March 18. |
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Kylen Granson Kylen Granson Solid rookie season
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 1:21 PM
Granson caught 11 of his 15 targets for 106 yards across 17 appearances during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: Granson didn't see a target through the first three weeks of the season, but his involvement in the passing game picked up from Weeks 4-13. During that stretch, he caught 10 passes for 100 yards and recorded at least one target in nine of 10 games, including multiple targets five times. Jack Doyle is expected to be back next year, but Mo Alie-Cox's contract is up this offseason, so the rookie could see increased involvement during Year 2. |
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Michael Strachan Mike Strachan Uneventful rookie season
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 12:54 PM
Strachan caught two of his three targets for 26 yards across six appearances during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: Both of Strachan's receptions came during Week 1 against the Seahawks. The rookie saw only one target Week 2 before being a healthy scratch for 11 of the last 15 games, including the final eight. He'll still be under contract for the 2022 season, but behind Michael Pittman, the Colts' wideout corps could be in store for a facelift during the offseason. |
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Ashton Dulin Ashton Dulin Scores two touchdowns in 2021
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 12:32 PM
Dulin caught 13 of 22 targets for 173 yards and two touchdowns while rushing three times for 32 yards across 17 appearances during the 2021 campaign. He also added 206 kick-return yards.
Analysis: Dulin's production was minimal throughout the season, but he still was involved quite a bit, playing 20-plus snaps nine times. It was by far the most productive season of his three-year career but still not enough to warrant fantasy consideration. He's set to be a restricted free agent this offseason, and it remains to be seen if there will be mutual interest in a return. |
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Marlon Mack Marlon Mack Ends year as No. 4 on depth chart
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 11:59 AM
Mack rushed 28 times for 101 yards while securing two of five targets for eight yards across six appearances in 2021.
Analysis: The 25-year-old began the 2021 campaign as the Colts' No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, but he saw limited playing time early in the season. Mack and the Colts mutually agreed to seek a trade in late September, but a trade partner wasn't found. The 2017 fourth-rounder didn't appear in any of the final nine games of the season, mainly due to being a healthy scratch. Mack is slated to become an unrestricted free agent during the offseason, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him attempt to carve out a role elsewhere. |
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Deon Jackson Deon Jackson Minimal playing time in 2021
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 11:47 AM
Jackson rushed 13 times for 31 yards and a touchdown across nine appearances in 2021.
Analysis: Jackson established himself as the Colts' No. 3 running back behind Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines during the second half of the 2021 campaign, but he still played primarily on special teams. While the 22-year-old reached the end zone Week 13, Jackson wasn't a reliable fantasy contributor while serving in a depth role. |
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Nyheim Miller-Hines Nyheim Hines Limited role in 2021
Mon, Jan 24, 2022, 11:39 AM
Hines rushed 56 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns while catching 40 of 57 targets for 310 yards and a touchdown during the 2021 campaign.
Analysis: Hines was in a relatively even timeshare with Jonathan Taylor across the first few weeks of the season, but Taylor established himself as the clear lead back later in the year. However, Hines still played in every game and was on the field for double-digit offensive snaps in all but one of his appearances. He remains under contract with the Colts for two more years and could continue to see playing time in a reserve role during the 2022 campaign, but Taylor will remain the clear No. 1 back for Indianapolis. |
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Carson Wentz Carson Wentz GM declines to commit to 2022 starter
Thu, Jan 13, 2022, 2:40 PM
While speaking during his season-ending news conference, GM Chris Ballard fell short of committing to Wentz as the Colts' starting QB next season, Mike Wells of ESPN.com reports. "When we made the decision, after Philip [Rivers] retired ... to make a move on Carson, at the time of the decision we felt good about it and I still don't regret the decision at the time," Ballard noted Thursday. "Sitting here today ... I won't make a comment on who is going to be here next year and who is not going to be here next year. That's not fair to any player."
Analysis: Meanwhile, Joel A. Erickson of the Indianapolis Star previously relayed that coach Frank Reich also declined to discuss the 2022 standing of Wentz or any other player on the team's roster, but given the mixed returns in the signal-caller's first season with Indianapolis, it's not too surprising that endorsements from the franchise's GM and coach didn't arrive in the wake of a disappointing loss in Week 18 that eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. Per Stephen Holder of The Athletic, Wentz is under contract through 2024, but he points out that the key aspect of the deal is that next season is the final year with guaranteed money. In any case, there figures to continue to be speculation regarding Wentz' future with the team in the coming months, but contract deadlines, free agency and the NFL Draft remain future moving parts that will drive the narrative. |
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Zach Pascal Zach Pascal Just one reception in season finale
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 2:25 PM
Pascal had one reception for seven yards on two targets in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Analysis: Pascal had another season of being a reliable, if not spectacular, contributor in Indy's offense with 38 receptions for 384 yards and three touchdowns, but averaged just 10.1 yards per reception -- his lowest since his rookie season (9.9). It's not clear if he's in Indy's plans for 2022 as he'll be a free agent. |
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Mo Alie-Cox Mo Alie-Cox Two receptions in season finale
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 2:20 PM
Alie-Cox had two receptions for 27 yards on three targets in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville.
Analysis: Alie-Cox had 24 receptions for 316 yards and four touchdowns while playing all 17 games. It looked like Alie-Cox was going to become a large factor in the offense, but he had just four receptions in a seven-game stretch in the middle of the season. He's set to become a free agent and could have a larger role if re-signed if Jack Doyle retires. |
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Parris Campbell Parris Campbell Plays eight snaps in return
Tue, Jan 11, 2022, 2:10 PM
Campbell was targeted three times in Sunday's loss at Jacksonville and played eight snaps on offense.
Analysis: It was Campbell's first game since Week 6 due to foot surgery. Campbell played just six games and had 10 receptions for 162 yards with a touchdown. It was his third consecutive injury plagued season as he's played just 15 games in three seasons. With a $1.1 million salary in his final contract year in 2022, the Colts won't save a ton by releasing him. Given his inability to stay on the field, however, it's possible the Colts could release him and move in another direction. |
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Carson Wentz Carson Wentz Struggles in must-win game
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 7:35 PM
Wentz completed 17 of 29 passes for 185 yards, one touchdown and one interception in Sunday's 26-11 loss to the Jaguars. He added three rushes for 17 yards.
Analysis: Wentz had a disastrous performance in a must-win game, as he also lost a fumble for two total turnovers. His 6.4 yards per attempt is a bleak enough mark standing alone, but it becomes even worse when considering that 85 of his 185 passing yards came on the Colts' final offensive possession and with the team down 26-3. Wentz has stayed away from mistakes for much of the season -- he threw only seven interceptions and lost four fumbles -- though he also surpassed 300 yards in a contest only twice. |
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Michael Pittman Michael Pittman Delivers in garbage time
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 5:21 PM
Pittman recorded six receptions on seven targets for 64 yards and a touchdown in Sunday's 26-11 loss to the Jaguars.
Analysis: Pittman was shockingly not targeted in the first half of the game, though Carson Wentz took to the air only seven times. However, he came to life on the Colts' final offensive possession of the game, racking up four receptions for 51 yards and a touchdown to salvage his day. Despite recording under five receptions in six games, Pittman took a significant step forward in his second season as a pro by more than doubling each of his target, reception and yardage totals. |
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Jonathan Taylor Jonathan Taylor Season ends on sour note
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 4:36 PM
Taylor recorded 15 rushes for 77 yards in Sunday's 26-11 loss to the Jaguars. He added three receptions on four targets for 18 yards.
Analysis: As expected, Taylor worked efficiently against Jacksonville's defense, an effort that was aided by runs of 23 and 13 yards. However, he was stuffed on fourth down multiple times, including once at the goal line at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Taylor also had game script working against him, with the Colts unexpectedly working from behind after the opening possession. The result was his lowest carry total since Week 6, and the first time he hasn't attempted at least 20 rushes in his last four contests. Despite the disappointing close to the campaign on both an individual and team level, Taylor racked up 2,171 total yards from scrimmage with 20 trips to the end zone across 17 games. |
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Marlon Mack Marlon Mack Remains sidelined
Sun, Jan 9, 2022, 11:05 AM
Mack (coach's decision) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Analysis: Mack has not played since Week 8, when Deon Jackson jumped him on the depth chart. Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines will continue to serve as the team's primary backs. |
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