Melina Vastola USA TODAY Sports
With the ACL tear suffered by Indianapolis Colts receiver Reggie Wayne throwing the Colts’ offense in a passing turmoil, fantasy football owners have been speculating who will step up to fill the void. The cold harsh reality here is that Wayne is a possession receiver with a skill set is not matched by any player currently on the Colts’ roster.
Wayne’s route tree in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton’s scheme is one that calls for crossing routes, go routes, slants and the kind of crafty run-blocking that only a veteran receiver can display. At the end of the day, there is no way to replicate what Wayne brings to the table with any receiver or platoon of receivers.
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However, when we look at production from a fantasy standpoint, Wayne’s injury does open up some new opportunities, primarily for Darius Heyward-Bey. The reality is that he’s the next most talented wide receiver on the roster.
The Colts most likely will use T.Y. Hilton to pick up the soft-handed possession work, then try to hide Heyward-Bey’s stone hands using smoke routes while hoping that by some magical force yet unknown to man that he can manage to catch at least one big play ball on a downfield go route.
If you’re at a point in your season where you are desperate for a no. 4 receiver who might put up streaky numbers like a high-end no. 3 receiver, then Heyward-Bey might just fit the bill.
Eric Beuning is a Fantasy Football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericbeuning or add him to your network on Google.
