Is Jack Doyle a rest-of-season TE1?

The Indianapolis Colts began the 2016 season arguably loaded on the offensive side of the ball. However, the proverbial injury bug reared its head by sidelining Donte Moncrief in Week 2 as well as Dwayne Allen and Philip Dorsett in Week 6. With the vast majority of the targets going in T.Y. Hilton’s direction, the Colts needed one of the younger players in their stable to step up to ease the pressure off of their speedy wideout. Jack Doyle, a fourth-year tight end out of Western Kentucky, did just that.

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With Coby Fleener departing from the Colts via free agency in the offseason, Doyle was in line for an increased role behind the starter, Allen. But it would be Doyle who garnered the attention this season with or without Allen in the lineup. Both tight ends were active together for the first six games of the year, but Doyle out-produced Allen in total fantasy points scored 38.4-to-33.2, leaving them ranked ninth and 13th respectively at their position.

In Week 6, Allen sustained an ankle injury early in the Sunday night contest against the Houston Texans, leaving the door wide open for Doyle to step in and shine. Doyle caught all four of his targets for 53 yards and a touchdown against a Texans defense that plays well versus opposing tight ends. Allen was ultimately diagnosed with a sprained ankle that night and was ruled out for the foreseeable future.

With Allen on the mend, Doyle was slated to be the No. 1 tight end on the Colts in Week 7 and did not squander away his long-awaited opportunity. Doyle was easily Andrew Luck’s No. 2 read in his progression with Allen, Moncrief and Dorsett all inactive against the Tennessee Titans last Sunday. He caught 9-of-10 targets for 78 yards and a touchdown and is emerging as the more sure-handed tight end on the roster. Entering Week 8, Doyle is ranked third at his position in fantasy points scored with 52.2 and a 7.5 FPPG average.

What to make of Doyle moving forward?

Even when Allen returns, Doyle will still garner immense value in the Colts’ passing game. Allen will surely cut into Doyle’s target share, but the latter is poised to continue his success as the season progresses. Looking ahead to Sunday’s matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs, though, Doyle could hit a wall. Kansas City’s defense is ranked 26th in fantasy points allowed to opposing tight ends giving up only 4.5 FPPG, one of Doyle’s toughest opponents to date. Fantasy owners who roster Doyle should temper their expectations for this week, but they should be salivating for the matchups that follow.

Here is Doyle’s slate of opponents for the next six weeks (including the bye). Except for Kansas City, they are all favorable matchups.

• Week 8, Kansas City Chiefs (Ranked 26th vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 9, Green Bay Packers (Ranked 10th vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 10, BYE
• Week 11, Tennessee Titans (Ranked 11th vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 12, Pittsburgh Steelers (Ranked ninth vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 13, New York Jets (Ranked 12th vs. opposing tight ends)

Here is Doyle’s slate of opponents for the fantasy playoffs portion of the schedule. Not as favorable except for the Week 16 Championship game (for most fantasy leagues).

• Week 14, Houston Texans (Ranked 27th vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 15, Minnesota Vikings (Ranked 24th vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 16, Oakland Raiders (Ranked sixth vs. opposing tight ends)
• Week 17, Jacksonville Jaguars (Ranked 28th vs. opposing tight ends)

After Week 8, Doyle has a handful of favorable matchups ahead leading right into the fantasy playoffs. The Colts will likely see the return of Moncrief and Dorsett from their respective injuries this week, which could take the defense’s attention off of Doyle so he can continue on his recent tear of scoring at least 11 fantasy points in consecutive games. He should be owned and started in most fantasy leagues from here on out and viewed as a low-end TE1 moving forward.

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Anthony Cervino is a primary contributor for FantasyPros and a lead NFL News Desk correspondent. To read more from Anthony, visit his archive or follow him on Twitter @theRealNFLguru. Feel free to tweet or message him with any NFL or fantasy-related questions. Anthony will always give you his best.