Howdy, y’all, Christopher Pinto here, Lead Fantasy Football Writer and Analyst for Belly Up Fantasy Sports, today I will take you through the moves the Indianapolis Colts have taken this offseason, after that their draft needs, and lastly let you know how that affects your fantasy football season.

First off the Indianapolis Colts have had an excellent off-season, including a signing that echoed throughout the league. Sending the veteran play-caller from the Chargers to the AFC South. Because, of this, fan bases have been switching sides and buying new jerseys as well as notable players on the roster speaking out in the aftermath. Though the Colts finished third in the division, they have massive expectations for this season.

In short, there are many questions left to be answered, for example who is going to catch all the balls thrown by Rivers and how are the holes in the roster going to be filled. The 7-9 Indianapolis Colts look to draft day to silence the naysayers and we at Belly Up Fantasy Sports will tell you how their roster correlates with the Fantasy Football landscape.

Traded/Released by the organization:

• QB Brian Hoyer
• CB Pierre Desir
• DT Margus Hunt
• TE Ross Travis
• OT Gerhard de Beer
• DT Carl Davis
• DT Lyndon Johnson
• TE Hale Hentges
• CB Ryan Lewis
• RB Darius Jackson
• DE Jamal Davis
• OT Tyree St. Louis
• TE Eric Ebron
• RB David Williams
• RB Quinton Flowers
• Traded C-G Evan Boehm and an undisclosed 2020 draft pick to Miami for an undisclosed conditional 2020 draft pick.
• Traded CB Nate Hairston to N.Y. Jets for a 2020 sixth-round draft pick.
• S Matthias Farley
• RB James Williams
• DE Dadi Nicolas

Acquired/Signed by the organization:

• TE Mo Alie-Cox
• K Chase McLaughlin
• WR Zach Pascal
• RB Bruce Anderson III
• OT Andrew Donnell
• TE Ian Bunting
• CB Lafayette Pitts
• TE Matt Lengel
• G Chaz Green
• DE Gerri Green
• TE Xavier Grimble
• WR Malik Henry
• CB Picasso Nelson Jr.
• RB Darius Jackson
• CB Jackson Porter
• OT Cedrick Lang
• OT Travis Vornkahl
• LB Skai Moore
• OT Brandon Hitner
• WR Artavis Scott
• OT Anthony Castonzo
• DT Sheldon Day
• CB Xavier Rhodes
• S Rolan Milligan
• CB T.J. Carrie
• WR Daurice Fountain
• CB T.J. Carrie
• FB Roosevelt Nix
• QB Philip Rivers

Draft needs:

This offseason has been an extremely busy one for the Colts organization, because of the start of their 2019 campaign they had to think quickly. They have quietly shuffled their roster and made some key moves to tell us how 2020 will be run. The Colts‘ needs lay in the offense side of the ball as the defense ranked among the NFL’s best. Because Rivers needs weapons to keep defenses honest and away from running back Marlon Mack. In my eyes the Colts need a wide receiver and a new tight end, to help the new quarterback that I am hoping they draft. For instance, here are some noteworthy players the Colts may target:

• Tee Higgins, WR, Clemson
• Denzel Mims, WR, Baylor
• Michael Pittman Jr., WR, USC
• Chase Claypool, WR/TE, Notre Dame
• Cole Kmet, TE, Notre Dame
• Adam Trautman, TE, Dayton
• Anthony Gordon, QB, Washington St.
• Brain Lewerke, QB, Michigan St.
• Jake Luton, QB, Oregon St.

Fantasy Implications:

The fantasy landscape for the Colts isn’t very deep. Philip Rivers, Marlon Mack, Jack Doyle, T.Y. Hilton are the only guys you would want to entertain at the moment. First, the Colts had one the best o-lines in the game and they made is better this off-season. Second, they signed their blocking tight ends to bigger contracts and look to the draft for more offensive weapons. In summary the colts will run the ball this season and look to take a step up in their passing game.

Quarterback:

Rivers was an elite quarterback at a time, but has since declined. Maybe a new team new attitude will being him back to the fantasy beast he once was, but until we see it you can’t put much stock in it. In summary Rivers is a great spot start and should be a solid QB 2.

Running Back:

Marlon Mack is a solid running back, the organization believes in him and granted him some big blockers. They may take another tackle in the draft, but at the moment he is sitting pretty. Mack had a solid year and will build off of it with the presence of a new quarterback. In summary fire Mack up into your lineups, because of his situation you can lock Mack in as a high-end RB 2 with upside.

Wide Receivers:

The colts have a few weapons on the parameter, but the only one that stands out to me is T.Y. Hilton. The crafty veteran looks to be Rivers’ number one target. In addition to battling injury and a sub par season, Hilton looks to gain the spotlight again. Because of his situation, fire up Hilton in three wideout leagues. He is a borderline WR 2.

Tight End:

Lastly the tight end position with Jack Doyle aka Agent Jack Doyle is a great weapon and shared the targets with Eric Ebron last season. We know how much Rivers likes to utilize the tight end, and above all if the Colts do not take a stud tight end in the draft fire up Doyle in most leagues. Because of his situation at the moment pencil Doyle as a TE 2 with upside.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the Colts sit in the back end of the AFC South and have a few key fantasy weapons. The likes of Mack, Rivers, Doyle, and Hilton should be owned in most leagues and you will be able to fire them up on a weekly bases. Secondly, we can take to the bank that the Colts running game will be one of the most efficient this season. Lastly look for the organization to grab a star wide receiver and he should be on all fantasy radars.

Share your thoughts with me in the comment section below or by tweeting me @AggieKappaSig. See Belly Up Fantasy Sports and Belly Up Sports for other great articles. Also check out my pre-draft Top 12 Rankings for Redraft PPR Leagues by position: QB, RB, WR, and, TE. Thanks and Gig ‘Em!