In support of: Zero – The End of Prostate Cancer
You are not alone! We welcome everyone who has been touched by prostate cancer including patients, survivors, loved ones, caregivers, and medical professionals to join us as warriors in our fight against prostate cancer.
With each personal story, our ZERO’s Heroes raise awareness and shed light on the journey to end prostate cancer. Meet some of the patients and families whom we are fighting for 365 days of the year and join our community!
Nominated by Kenny Hyttenhove (@KennyQBL)
“I chose Zero-The End of Prostate Cancer. They are a wonderful organization that helps educate and support families that have a loved one dealing with prostate cancer. As a son that lost his father to prostate cancer in 2019, I can’t underscore for you how helpful and important the work is that Zero does. As a teacher, I love that most of their funds goes towards education and awareness because early detection is so important. I love football and consequently fantasy football because of how it brought me closer to my dad. Now that he’s gone from this awful disease, I think it apropos to use football to help support this cause.”
#Project32 Menu
2020 Recap
Division: AFC South
2020 Finish: 11-5 (1st in AFC South)
2020 Tendencies:
- Passing Ratio: 55% (23rd)
- Neutral Game Script: 57% (18th)
- Offensive Scheme: Erhardt-Perkins
Personnel Groupings:
- 11 Personnel (1RB, 1TE, 3WR) = 69%
- 12 Personnel (1RB 2TE, 2WR) = 21%
- 13 Personnel (1RB, 3TE, 1WR) = 8%
- 21 Personnel (2RB, 1TE, 2WR) = 1%
Coaching Room
Head Coach: Frank Reich
Frank Reich started his NFL coaching career with the Indianapolis Colts back in 2006 and after brief stints with the Arizona Cardinals, San Diego Chargers, and Philadelphia Eagles he has come full circle after being hired as the head coach of the Colts in 2018. In his three seasons in Indianapolis, Reich holds a 28-20 record, but has failed to get past the AFC Divisional game in the playoffs. When he first took over as the head coach, he thought he was inheriting a team with a four-time Pro Bowl quarterback, but Andrew Luck retired from the NFL after just one season with Frank Reich. His starting quarterbacks over the last two years consisted of Jacoby Brissett, Brian Hoyer, and an aging Philip Rivers. Reich knew he needed a mobile quarterback to truly run his system and so the Colts traded for Carson Wentz, who played for Reich in Philadelphia and led that team to an 11-2 record before being lost to a season-ending injury. That team went on to win the Super Bowl with Frank Reich as the offensive coordinator and it was the best season of Carson Wentz’ career. With a top-five offensive line and a top-five running back this seemed like the perfect landing spot for Carson Wentz. With that said, Wentz did suffer a foot injury during the first week of camp, but it appears he may be ready by Week 1. If not, Reich will have to turn to Jacob Eason or Sam Ehlinger who have been splitting first team reps since the injury to Wentz. Reich is known for using a lot of spread concepts out of 11 personnel that utilizes a lot of RPO action and deep shots in the play-action game. He does not use a lot of pre-snap motions and shifts and regardless of who starts at quarterback, you can expect this offense to run through Jonathan Taylor behind a very good offensive line.
Overall Rank: 14th/32
OL Room
LT Eric Fisher – PFF 80.1, Pass Blocking 77.0, Run Blocking 71.6
Eric Fisher is coming off a torn Achilles injury he suffered in the AFC Championship Game while playing with the Kansas City Chiefs and its unknown if he will be ready for the opening game of the 2021 season. He was recently placed on the PUP list at the start of camp, but he can be activated when he’s ready to go. Fisher has been selected to the Pro Bowl in two of the last three seasons, but he’s missed nine games over the last two years. If Fisher is not ready for the opening game, then Sam Tevi will slide in at left tackle.
LG Quenton Nelson – PFF 87.5, Pass Blocking 81.8, Run Blocking 86.0
Quenton Nelson was the sixth overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and he’s been everything they had hoped for and more. He has been a First-Team All-Pro in all three seasons and has yet to miss a game, but after suffering the same injury as Carson Wentz, it looks like he may not be available at the start of the 2021 season. He is an absolute road grader and nasty at the point of attack with a devastating punch and a motor that never stops. He has finished in the top three in Overall PFF Grade every year and finished fourth in pass-block grade and run-block grade in 2020. If you appreciate great offensive line play, go watch film of this dude. I dare you. If Quenton Nelson misses the start of the season, Chris Reed will slide in at left guard until Nelson is ready to return.
C Ryan Kelly – PFF 68.0, Pass Blocking 65.1, Run Blocking 66.1
Ryan Kelly is another former first round draft pick who was selected 18th overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Kelly has been selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his last two seasons while finishing in the top ten in Overall PFF Grade twice in the last three years.
RG Mark Glowinski – PFF 67.1, Pass Blocking 66.5, Run Blocking 63.7
Mark Glowinski will be locked up in a position battle with Danny Pinter but enters camp working with the first team. Glowinski does not do anything that stands out and has only scored above a 70.0 in Overall PFF Grade one time back in 2018 and dipped to a 60.5 in 2019. He must get back to 2018 form if he wants to hold on to his starting role with this unit.
RT Braden Smith – PFF 80.1, Pass Blocking 75.6, Run Blocking 78.2
Braden Smith was drafted 37th overall in the 2018 NFL Draft out of Auburn University. He’s been successful transitioning from playing guard in college to tackle in the NFL which speaks volumes about his ability and work ethic. He has started in 43 out of 45 games in the NFL and finished 16th in Overall PFF Grade and 15th in Run Block Grade while improving in each of his three seasons in the NFL. Braden Smith is one of the better right tackles in the NFL and is only 25 years old.
New Toys: Julien Davenport, Chris Reed
Old News: Anthony Castonzo (12/12), Le’Raven Clark (12/3), Chaz Green (15/1)
Overall Rank: 2nd/32
QB Room
Carson Wentz (QB17)
Everything aligned for Carson Wentz this off-season when he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts, reuniting him with his former offensive coordinator, Frank Reich. The last time he played for Reich in 2017, he was in the M.V.P. conversation before getting injured at the end of the season. He finished that season with 33 touchdowns to only seven interceptions and led the NFL in TD% (7.5) and QBR (78.5). In 2018 and 2019 he combined for 7,113 yards passing with 48 touchdowns and only 14 interceptions. This is where things got interesting for Wentz in Philadelphia. As well as Wentz had played from 2017-2019, Doug Pederson felt the need to draft a quarterback in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. In 2020, the wheels came off for Wentz as he threw only 16 touchdowns with 15 interceptions while only completing 57.4% of his passes over 12 games. The team was 3-8-1 and Pederson made the decision to go with Jalen Hurts and the rest is history. Wentz wanted out and got his wish landing with the Colts, who have a top-five offensive line and a top-five running back with a solid core of wide receivers and tight ends so the future looked bright heading into camp. Then it happened. Again. Carson Wentz got injured. This time it was his foot and it will require surgery that will cost him the entire pre-season and potentially the start of the season. The recovery time is set for 5-12 weeks and reports indicate he is ahead of schedule and he still could be ready for Week 1.
Fantasy Outlook
Passing: 582 attempts, 67.8%, 4371 yards, 30 touchdowns
Rushing: 67 attempts, 387 yards, 3 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 335.5
New Toys: Brett Hundley, Sam Ehlinger
Old News: Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers (16/16)
Position Fantasy Rank: 18th/32
RB Room
Jonathan Taylor (RB9)
Jonathan Taylor was selected in the 2nd round (41st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft out of the University of Wisconsin. Taylor dominated the college landscape where, as a three-year starter, he averaged over 6.7 yards per carry and broke 2000 yards rushing in consecutive seasons. He was no slouch in his rookie season in the NFL either as he finished the season with 1169 yards rushing and 299 yards receiving while averaging 5.0 yards per carry with a 92.3% catch rate. Taylor’s combination of size (225 lbs) and speed (4.39) make him a nightmare for opposing defenses. He finished the 2020 season ranked 8th in carries (232), 8th in red zone touches (52), 4th in total touchdowns (12), 3rd in rushing yards (1169), 2nd in breakaway runs (14), and 10th in evaded tackles (64). He’s not too shabby in the passing game either finishing 6th in yards per reception (8.3), 8th in yard per route run (1.57), and 2nd in catch rate. Taylor should, at the very least, finish in the top-five in fantasy points in 2021 and could have a shot as the overall RB1 if he can be involved enough in the passing game.
Fantasy Outlook
Rushing: 295 attempts, 1446 yards, 12 touchdowns
Receiving: 64 targets, 48 receptions, 394 yards, 2 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 316.0
Nyheim Hines (RB48)
Nyheim Hines finished the 2020 season ranked in the top-five in several receiving metrics including targets (77), yards (482), receptions (63), yards per route run (1.91), and catch rate (83.1%). However, I expect Taylor to see more volume in the passing game in 2021 and the Colts will be getting Marlon Mack back from an ankle injury, which means Hines becomes the RB3 in this backfield. He will still be used in passing situations, but not at the rate we have been accustomed to and that leaves him as a late round bench player with emergency flex appeal if needed.
Fantasy Outlook
Rushing: 24 attempts, 100 yards, 1 touchdown
Receiving: 64 targets, 48 receptions, 403 yards, 1 touchdown
Total Fantasy Points: 110.3
New Toys: N/A
Old News: N/A
Position Fantasy Rank: 5th/32
WR Room
Michael Pittman (WR31)
Michael Pittman will more than likely be the guy that is affected the most by the loss of Carson Wentz to start the 2021 season. He finished the 2020 season with 40 receptions, 503 yards, and 1 touchdown with most of his production coming after Week 8. He finished the season third among rookies, according to Pro Football Focus, in yards after catch with 331. I believe in Michael Pittman, but it could be another slow start to the season as the Colts should be very run-heavy with Eason behind center. It’s going to be important for the run-game to be special to open up play-action opportunities for Pittman and this receiving core. Once Wentz returns, most likely mid-season, we should see an increase in volume and production for Mr. Pittman.
Fantasy Outlook
Receiving: 116 targets, 77 receptions, 1037 yards, 9 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 234.5
T.Y. Hilton (WR90)
T.Y. Hilton is the savvy veteran of this group who was selected to four Pro Bowls from 2014-2018. He enters the 2021 season at 31 years old and coming off two consecutive seasons with less than 100 targets and 60 receptions and has not played a full season in the last three years. Expect the targets and receptions to continue to dip with Michael Pittman and the return of Parris Campbell.
Fantasy Outlook
Receiving: 58 targets, 35 receptions, 433 yards, 4 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 102.2
Parris Campbell (WR55)
Parris Campbell was a second-round draft pick out of Ohio State who entered the NFL with high expectations but has been unable to stay healthy for long enough to make an impact. In his two seasons in the NFL, he’s missed 23 games and been limited in others. His injury history includes an abdomen strain, hand fracture, foot fracture, concussion, and a sprain of both the MCL and PCL. Campbell has sub-4.4 speed and graded in the 97th percentile in both speed and burst scores during the NFL Combine so we know the talent is there. Let’s hope he can stay healthy and gets the chance to prove he can get it done at the NFL level.
Fantasy Outlook
Receiving: 87 targets, 59 receptions, 730 yards, 6 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 168.4
New Toys: J.J. Nelson
Old News: N/A
Position Fantasy Rank: 19th/32
TE Room
Mo Alie-Cox (TE35)
I may be in the minority here, but I believe the torch has been passed from Jack Doyle to Mo Allie-Cox as the TE1 on this roster. The reality is that Jack Doyle is the veteran who has shown he can carry the load and the Colts also drafted Kylen Granson who I really like, but 2021 just screams Alie-Cox for me. Cox played in 15 games last season totalling 39 targets, 31 receptions, 394 yards, and two touchdowns with a 79.5% catch rate. It’s important to note that Reich ran 11 personnel 69% of the time in 2021 and there is no indication or reason to believe that changes in 2021.
Fantasy Outlook
Receiving: 47 targets, 32 receptions, 294 yards, 2 touchdowns
Total Fantasy Points: 73.1
New Toys: Kylen Granson
Old News: Trey Burton (13/4)
Position Fantasy Rank: 23rd/32
2021 Full Player Projections
Make Your Own Projections With Our Template!
Strength of Schedule (SOS): #28 (.465 119-137)
2021 Predicted Finish: 10-7 (2nd AFC South)
Note: all projections are PPR scoring
