Skip to main content

Fantasy Football Player Notes

2023 Half PPR Draft Rankings

Jonathan Taylor Note
Jonathan Taylor photo 4. Jonathan Taylor RB - (vs . HOU)
2023 was a year to forget for the consensus 1.01 in last year's fantasy football drafts. Jonathan Taylor underperformed as the RB30 in 11 games played averaging 12.6 fantasy points as the RB18 when healthy. JT's usage was that of a top-8 running back - 8th in expected points per game, 4th in touches per game (20) - but a lack of touchdowns decimated his fantasy stock in the Colts' anemic offense. After scoring a combined 33 TDs through his 1st two seasons, Taylor scored just four rushing TDs in 2022. From an efficiency standpoint, I'd expect a bounce-back effort from Taylor in 2023. He will be healthier in 2023 and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson's mobility under center should increase JT's yards per carry. When Taylor first returned from injury (Weeks 10-13 in the 2022 season) he ranked as the RB3 overall. And he should experience some positive TD regression entering the final year of his rookie deal. Although it should be noted that with Richardson under center, Taylor won't cannibalize all the goal-line carries. However, a mobile quarterback didn't stop Shane Steichen's running back Miles Sanders from scoring 13 TDs in 2022. Considering the wide talent gap and proven production from Taylor compared to Sanders, I'd bet Steichen's new RB1 will reach double-digit scores even if his rookie QB runs in a few himself.
4 weeks ago
Michael Pittman Jr. Note
Michael Pittman Jr. photo 67. Michael Pittman Jr. WR - (vs . HOU)
Michael Pittman failed to build upon his breakout 2021 season last year as he finished as the WR21 in fantasy points per game (2021 WR22), but there's still reason to be optimistic about Pittman. Pittman was 17th in target share (25.6%) and nearly logged one of the quietest 100 reception seasons (99 receptions) in recent memory. He was 18th in red zone targets, first in total route wins, and third in route win rate, so the talent is still there for Pittman to finish with an even better 2023 season. With the team drafting Anthony Richardson, the biggest worry for Pittman now is passing volume. Even if he continues to draw targets at a strong rate, his target volume could hard cap his upside and lower his floor. Pittman is a WR3.
3 weeks ago
Anthony Richardson Note
Anthony Richardson photo 146. Anthony Richardson QB - (vs . HOU)
Anthony Richardson might have the highest ceiling of the three quarterbacks taken in the first round of this year's NFL Draft. The 6-4, 235-pound Richardson has ideal size, a rocket for his arm and eye-opening running ability -- all of which was on full display at this year's NFL Scouting Combine, where Richardson tested like Superman. But Richardson was a starter for only one of his three seasons at the University of Florida, and after completing only 53.8% of his passes in 2022, there are questions about his accuracy. Richardson landed in a good spot with the Colts, where he'll work under new head coach Shane Steichen, who helped develop Jalen Hurts in Philadelphia and Justin Herbert in Los Angeles. Richardson can tide over his fantasy managers with rushing production while his passing skills are developing.
4 weeks ago
Alec Pierce Note
Alec Pierce photo 160. Alec Pierce WR - (vs . HOU)
Josh Downs Note
Josh Downs photo 223. Josh Downs WR - (vs . HOU)
Jelani Woods Note
Jelani Woods photo 225. Jelani Woods TE - (vs . HOU)
A 6-foot-7, 265-pound behemoth, Jelani Woods had some impressive flashes in his rookie season, including a two-TD game against the Chiefs in Week 3 and an eight-catch, 98-yard game against the Steelers in Week 12. With 4.61 speed and a 98th percentile catch radius (per PlayerProfiler.com), Woods has tools to dream on and figures to become an even bigger part of the Colts' offense in 2023.
4 weeks ago
Matt Gay Note
Matt Gay photo 247. Matt Gay K - (vs . HOU)
Indianapolis Colts Note
Indianapolis Colts photo 251. Indianapolis Colts DST - (vs . HOU)
Zack Moss Note
Zack Moss photo 272. Zack Moss RB - (vs . HOU)
Isaiah McKenzie Note
Isaiah McKenzie photo 275. Isaiah McKenzie WR - (vs . HOU)
Evan Hull Note
Evan Hull photo 327. Evan Hull RB - (vs . HOU)
Evan Hull was a draft-day steal for the Colts on Day 3. The Northwestern product spent the past two seasons owning his team's backfield as a mega-producer posting back-to-back seasons with a 35% dominator rating. The 5-foot-10 and 209-pound back hauled in 87 passes for 800 receiving yards as a full-blown three-down back while forcing over 100 missed tackles.

With a decorated production profile and desirable athleticism - 78th percentile or better tester in the 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump and 3-cone drill - Hull rising the ranks in Indy's backfield should surprise nobody. He led all FBS running backs in receptions and receiving yards in 2022.
4 weeks ago
Gardner Minshew II Note
Gardner Minshew II photo 371. Gardner Minshew II QB - (vs . HOU)
Mo Alie-Cox Note
Mo Alie-Cox photo 385. Mo Alie-Cox TE - (vs . HOU)
Deon Jackson Note
Deon Jackson photo 388. Deon Jackson RB - (vs . HOU)
Kylen Granson Note
Kylen Granson photo 407. Kylen Granson TE - (vs . HOU)
Will Mallory Note
Will Mallory photo 506. Will Mallory TE - (vs . HOU)
Juwann Winfree Note
Juwann Winfree photo 522. Juwann Winfree WR - (vs . HOU)
Ashton Dulin Note
Ashton Dulin photo 547. Ashton Dulin WR - (vs . HOU)
Pharaoh Brown Note
Pharaoh Brown photo 555. Pharaoh Brown TE - (vs . HOU)
Mike Strachan Note
Mike Strachan photo 562. Mike Strachan WR - (vs . HOU)