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Anyone else notice how Andrew Luck is getting no fantasy football love? I’m talking none, nada, zip – and I love every minute of it. Luck has fallen to the sixth round of every fantasy mock draft I have participated in. He may have fallen even further had I not drafted him every time.
I suppose there is some logic to his low ADP and lack of prognosticator’s love; I just haven’t figured it out. As a rookie, Luck threw the ball 627 times, amassing 4,374 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also rushed the ball 62 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns. Did I mention these were his rookie stats?
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Luck is good, period. He has top-five fantasy potential, yet he can be drafted in many cases outside the top-10. When looking for a value quarterback pick, you won’t find better than Luck this season.
On Sunday night, Luck would again state his case for elite status as his Indianapolis Colts battled the New York Giants. Luck finished the night 9-of-13 for 107 yards and two touchdowns. The numbers could have been better had Coby Fleener and Darrius Heyward-Bey hauled in easy catches from Luck. He was sharp, in complete control of the game, and his presence on the football field was one of complete confidence.
The wide receiver group in Indianapolis is an intriguing developing situation for fantasy GMs. I don’t believe it too bold to predict Luck will throw for more than 4,500 yards this season, and Reggie Wayne simply can’t haul in all those yards.
T.Y. Hilton and Heyward-Bey are two guys fighting for a share of Luck’s passing stats. Heyward-Bey finished the night with four grabs for 42 yards. Hilton caught two for 36 yards and a touchdown. That makes back-to-back preseason games in which Hilton has caught a touchdown. Monitor this situation as it unfolds — Hilton can be had in late fantasy rounds while Heyward-Bey is going undrafted in most leagues.
Eli Manning did not have the same sharp performance as the Colts’ sophomore quarterback. The Giants offense struggled in the red zone, and Manning finished the night 8-of-17 for 91 yards and an interception.
The Giants’ running game is worth monitoring as you prepare for your league drafts. Both David Wilson and Andre Brown had eight carries on Sunday night, with Wilson gaining 34 yards and Brown 36.
In the countless mock drafts I have participated in, Wilson is overvalued and Brown is a value pick. If they continue to receive equal snaps, it would behoove you to avoid Wilson and target Brown in league drafts (based on current ADPs).
Jim Heath is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @jim_heath, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google
