Fantasy Football Player Notes

2023 was a year to forget for the consensus 1.01 in fantasy football drafts. Jonathan Taylor underperformed as the RB30 in 11 games 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. But I'd expect a bounce-back effort from Taylor in 2023. He will be healthier in 2023. When Taylor first returned from injury (Weeks 10-13) he ranked as the RB3 overall. And he's primed for positive TD regression entering the final year of his rookie deal.

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. The worry remains, though, regarding the quarterback situation for next season. If the Colts can find improved quarterback play, Pittman could easily be a WR2 next season, but for now, he's a WR3 with upside.

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.