While Andrew Luck is a top five quarterback in most fantasy football leagues, his performances have been a little shaky for fantasy owners since Week 10. When your quarterback is being somewhat erratic, you can expect erratic wide receiver play as well. T.Y. Hilton looked like he was going to be the stud everyone expected him to be when he went for three touchdowns and 121 yards in Week 9 against the Texans, but he has been disappointing to individuals who were expecting big things from Hilton when Reggie Wayne was finished for the season. Columnist Kristina Bravo breaks down some of the unfamiliar names in the Colts receiving game.
On Sunday the Indianapolis Colts played their most dominant game of football since the loss of Reggie Wayne earlier in the season. With that key personnel loss, Andrew Luck’s struggled to find his alternative receivers. Since the Colts played the Denver Broncos with Wayne, Luck has thrown 6 of his 9 interceptions this season, and his average quarterback rating plummeted. His first 7 weeks we had a QBR of 69.4, and including Sunday, Luck now has an average QBR of 49.2.
Obviously a lot of this has to do with losing not only their veteran receiver but also a leader on the team. But despite this, there is also growing concern among owners of the Colts other star receiver TY Hilton during this time. While many expected him to step up, Hilton’s numbers have decreased as well. With the exception of a 3 touchdown game against the Texans earlier in the season, Hilton has stalled without Wayne in the picture. Though he is being targeted more, his average yards has gone down and he hasn’t scored a touchdown since the Texans in Week 9.
Yet the Colts are still finding ways to win, and that’s thanks to the emergence of younger wide outs. Da’rick Rogers is averaging 16.3 yards a catch in two games with the Colts including an explosive 130 yards and 2 touchdowns against the Bengals. LaVon Brazill is also averaging 13.6 yards (slightly higher than Hilton’s 13.3) with 53 yards and 2 touchdowns coming against the Bengals as well.
As of late even Trent Richardson has been getting a hefty amount of targets, catching 4 and 5 balls in the last two games respectively and scoring a touchdown Sunday against the Texans.
Keep in mind this production from all three players are coming in their first couple games as Colts. Brazill and Rogers have only played a combined 11 games this season and Richardson only came to the Colts in week 3.
With playoffs and championship games in full swing, you’re likely in the same boat as the Colts and simply looking towards the future. These players are young and full of potential; one’s to certainly look out for in the future. Next season these players could be sleepers on your team. However if you need a receiver now for the playoffs, one of these guys should be able to help you if your playoffs continue in Week 17. Though the Colts play the Chiefs next week, they have an ideal match up against the Jaguars to close out the regular season.
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