2020 Dynasty Capsule: Indianapolis Colts

Every year we give our premium content members a team-by-team, player-by-player look at the NFL season that was. The coverage will be in-depth, but because the Dynasty Capsule series begins immediately after the season, we won’t use it to discuss free agency or the draft. Come see us in early May once Mr. Irrelevant is off the board for another 32-article series giving you the same detailed discussion you’ll see below.

Buckle up dynasty fans, because you’re about to be reminded why our motto is, “There is no off-season.”

Reeling from the sudden retirement of franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, the Colts finished third in the AFC South with a record of 7-9. Their Super Bowl aspirations took a hit and the team never found its footing during the season behind their sudden starter Jacoby Brissett. The receiving corps dealt with injuries and didn’t give their quarterback the best options. The young, ferocious defense kept them in most games. The outlook as far as dynasty hinges on how well Brissett plays and if the Colts can bring in some receiving options for their young quarterback.

QUARTERBACK

Jacoby Brissett (ADP: 224.17, QB26)

Age: 27

Charts Courtesy of ADP History found on each DLF Player Page

Brissett signed a two-year contract worth $30 million dollars after the news of Luck’s retirement. He is signed through this season and was a solid team leader but struggled down the stretch a little.

The team won five of its first seven games and appeared to not be missing a beat. Brissett had two games in which he threw for over 300 yards and two games with over 70 percent completion percentage. It was almost a tale of two seasons, he was sidelined part of week nine and all of week 10 and the Colts limped to the finishing line.

After his return, Brissett and the Colts lost five of their last six games, only completing 56 percent of his passes in the stretch and throwing only four touchdowns. The team and Brissett looked drastically different and confidence in their starting quarterback seemed to wane, although the wide receiver corps was decimated by injury.

2020 is a huge year for Brissett. His ADP has been steadily dropping since October, and the Colts are rumored to be targeting a quarterback in the NFL Draft. He is a decent quarterback who at times looks to be a capable leader. The Colts should be fully invested in him for at least one more season.

Brian Hoyer (ADP: 240)

Age: 34

Hoyer is a solid veteran backup who filled in admirably for Brissett in weeks nine and ten. He has bounced around the league since he was drafted in 2009 by the New England Patriots. He has a good arm and mobility, but will remain a backup and fill in when needed.

Chad Kelly (ADP: 233.75, QB50)

Age: 25

Kelly has yet to see the NFL field. He has the NFL pedigree – he is former Bills great Jim Kelly’s son nephew – and has been mired in off-field controversy nearly his whole career. He has a lively arm, great size, and could be an NFL starter if he can put it all together. He could be the quarterback answer if they choose to invest in him and he can get his personal situation straight.

RUNNING BACK

Marlon Mack (ADP: 53.50, RB18)

Age: 23

Mack took a step forward toward being the franchise back the Colts thought he could be when they selected him in the fourth round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He eclipsed 1,000 yards rushing while scoring eight times and also catching 14 passes. All while missing time to injury, he started 12 games and took over the lead back role in Indy.

His ADP has steadily increased since he was drafted. He is a big, slashing back with decent hands. He hasn’t handled much of the pass-catching role but has caught 21, 17, and 14 passes in his three seasons.

The first game of the season, he gashed the Chargers for 174 yards and then crossed the 100-yard barrier only twice the rest of the season. He is a solid back who may be a little limited in what he can do. His yards-per-carry was only 4.4 on the season behind one of the better offensive lines in the league.

The future in Indianapolis for Mack could be a short one depending on this next season and how contracts go. He has one year left on his rookie deal, and several big name running backs are entering free agency this off-season. If they sign huge deals, it will likely cause Mack to search for more money and it’s hard to say if the Colts value him as much. The 2020 and 2021 drafts each have some strong young running backs who could entice the team to move on.

Nyheim Hines (ADP: 195, RB51)

Age: 23

The versatile Hines has been functioning as the third-down back in Indianapolis for the past two seasons and had the opportunity to start two games in 2019. He doesn’t do well as the first rushing option, averaging only 3.7 yards per carry between 2018 and 2019.

Hines is one of the better pass-catching backs in the leagues, but wasn’t utilized as well as he could have been this past season. He only caught 44 passes over 16 games and only more than four in a game once. The Colts offense would be more lethal if it utilized his skills better, and his fantasy value will be slightly depressed unless they get him more involved.

Jordan Wilkins (ADP: 233.17, RB88)

Age: 25

A bigger back at 6’1” and 215 pounds, Wilkins was dynamic spelling Mack in short stints. He is a tough, upright runner with good vision and averaged six yards a carry over 51 attempts in 2019. Wilkins is a solid fill-in, yet the team turned to the next back on the list when a larger role was needed to be filled.

Jonathan Williams (ADP: 238.17, RB77)

Age: 26

Journeyman Williams has bounced around to several teams since he entered the league in 2016 and even missed all of 2017. When called upon in week 11 versus Jacksonville he responded with 13 carries for 116 yards and then won some folks fantasy weeks by chipping in 26 totes for 104 yards and a score in week 12. He is a bigger back as well at 6’0” and 218 pounds and has solid vision, runs tough, and can catch balls out of the backfield as well.

WIDE RECEIVER

TY Hilton (ADP: 81, WR31)

Age: 30

When Hilton is on the field, he is a quarterback’s best friend and one of the most dangerous receivers in the league. He has sure hands and runs crisp routes, then is elusive and lethal in the open field.

Hilton’s value also plummeted as the season wore on, as he missed six games and never seemed to get in sync with Brissett over the past few games when Indianapolis really needed to win to make playoffs.

As Hilton goes, so goes the passing offense. The young receiving corps can not sustain consistent production without their most valuable veteran. He is still a dangerous target and has an impeccable knack for finding holes in the defense as well as working back to the quarterback when plays break down. He is the definition of a savvy veteran and possession receiver. He needs to remain healthy for the Colts offense to click on all cylinders.

However, he is turning 31 in November and is under the last season of a five-year deal, slated to make $14.5 million dollars in 2020. This is likely his last season in Indianapolis unless he can stay healthy and be the sure receiver he has been in the past.

Parris Campbell (ADP: 148, WR55)

Age: 22

The young Ohio State rookie was supposed to be the answer, a deep threat who could open up the field for Hilton and the TEs underneath. Instead, he rarely saw the field, was only targeted 24 times in seven games and tallied 18 catches for 127 yards and a solitary touchdown.

He is a burner. He ran a 4.31 40-yard dash in Indianapolis at the combine last February. He wasn’t as prolific in college but showed elements which led the Colts to take him in the second round of the NFL Draft. He needs work with route running, but uses his speed and moves well in the open field to break huge plays and is dangerous after the catch.

The second year in the NFL should see growth and a bigger role. Hopefully he uses the off-season to work with Brissett. Each could benefit from working together. The quarterback needs a receiver to stretch the field and open things up – Campbell has all the tools to be that receiver.

Zach Pascal (ADP: 231.67, WR83)

Age: 25

The Colts’ leading receiver in 2019, Pascal signed a one-year extension recently to ensure his return to the team in 2020. He started 13 games and caught 41 passes for 607 yards, tacking on five scores as well.

He was the most consistent option for the Colts for most of the season, but only had two games over 100 yards and is a solid WR3 option ideally. Pascal is sure-handed and runs clean routes. He is technically sound, but not overwhelming and holds little long term value.

Dontrelle Inman (ADP: 226)

Age: 31

Inman is the consummate veteran. He has been bouncing around the NFL since 2014 and was even on the Colts’ roster twice last year. He started one game and caught 12 passes for 181 yards and no scores in spot duty over seven games. He is an unrestricted free agent and his spot with the team is uncertain.

Marcus Johnson (ADP: N/A)

Age: 25

The Texas product started six of the final eight games in 2019 but never caught more than four passes despite playing on 80 percent of the offensive snaps. He is a strong and athletic receiver, and a restricted free agency going into 2020. The Colts could bring him back, but I don’t see much long-term value with him either way.

Ashton Dulin (ADP: 239)

Age: 22

Dulin is a dark horse to emerge and garner a bigger role for the receiver squad in 2020 and beyond. A product of Division II college Malone, he was insanely dominant in school, accounting for over half of his team’s passing production his junior year.

Ashton Dulin, Malone University, WR

6'2, 210 lbs

BOA: 18
College Dominator Rating: 63.8%

Despite playing at a DII college, he led ALL of the NCAA in all purpose yards per game.

Had fun charting his MS receiving yards compared to some D1 studs.

S/O @DynastyGuruFF pic.twitter.com/fWANQJcnap

— Jesse Reeves (@JesseReevesFF) February 8, 2019

Dulin’s measurements are equally as impressive. At 6’1” and 220 pounds, he ran a 4.43 40-yard dash and had a 38” vertical jump. He has impressive athletic traits but is still very raw and a player to stash on the deep end of your dynasty benches.

TIGHT END

Jack Doyle (ADP: 203, TE24)

Age: 29

The veteran tight end is under contract until 2022 with a potential out before 2021. He has been a steady option for Indianapolis since 2013 and was even a Pro Bowl alternate this season. He caught 43 balls for 448 yards and four touchdowns and was a reliable checkdown – what his skill set is best for. He has great hands, but is underwhelming athletically, more suited for a blocking and occasional checkdown valve tight end role.

Eric Ebron (ADP: 213.67, TE21)

Age: 26

He greatly regressed without Luck at the helm and is an unrestricted free agent, not expected to be re-signed by Indianapolis. The TE1 is Doyle’s spot for the time and I do expect the Colts to try to sign another or draft one in April.

Mo Alie-Cox (ADP: 238.5, TE46)

Age: 26

He is a physical specimen, standing 6’5” and tipping the scales at 267 pounds, yet moves well and could be dangerous with some refinement. He has been in the league two years, starting two games in 2019, but has not been a factor as of yet. Alie-Cox is one of those players with athletic ability and size who appears to be on the verge of putting together something special. He is worth a deep stash, but turning 27 shortly after the season begins, his window is likely closing quickly if he doesn’t make a step forward in 2020.