Undervalued: Colts Running Backs

Another fantasy football suggestion...
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Finding a RB mid-season in the waiver pool that touches the ball a lot is tough, so it is always wise to draft proper depth at that position.

I think one place to look for value is at the backfield in Indianapolis.

First, why should you consider a Colts RB?

This is the team that already has a strong passing game with QB Andrew Luck (7th in total passing yards in 2012) and WRs Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton. They also acquired veteran speedster Darrius Heyward-Bey to try and stretch defenses. Also, new Offensive Coordinator Pep Hamilton managed a run-first attack at Stanford, so expect the Colts to do more pounding the ball this season.*

So which RB?

Three guys are vying to start.


Vick Ballard averaged over 20 carries in the last 4 games of the season, and finished with almost 1,000 total yards.

Despite battling nagging injuries last season, free-agent Ahmad Bradshaw rushed for 6 touchdowns and  over 1,200 total yards.

Before Ballard took over last season, former first-round draft pick Donald Brown was the starter.


I am not ready to make call as to which Colts runner will get the bulk of the carries this year, but training camp and the preseason should give us hints.

Being confident that Bradshaw (#51), Ballard (#111), and Brown (#285) are all value picks and one will most likely be the guy for Indy this year, should allow for me to draft a Colt and at the least offer my team adequate RB depth--with a potential upside of one being a weekly starter. *
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*Note: The information on Pep Hamilton is from the Sporting News Fantasy Source and player draft rankings are from NFL.com. 

Undervalued: Anquan Boldin

It is fantasy football time again. For several posts, I want to discuss players that I see as over or under-valued in this year's draft.
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Anquan Boldin is currently listed as the 43rd best WR and the #116 best pick overall on NFL.com.

The 49ers top WR, Michael Crabtree, tore his achilles tendon in off-season team activities, and may be out for the season.

Short on receivers during mini-camp, the team used TE Vernon Davis as a wideout. Davis' numbers were down last year anyway, as he managed more than two catches in only one of QB Kaepernick's final seven regular season starts (though he was productive in the playoffs).

The rest of the 49ers receivers include injured Mario Manningham, and largely unfamiliar names like Kyle Williams and AJ Jenkins.

Despite being a run first team, the 49ers will want to throw the ball.

But who will be the primary option?

I believe the veteran Boldin will get plenty of targets.

He is no longer a deep-threat, but has never lost his courage to make tough catches in traffic. He has outstanding hands and is able to consistently get open. With the Ravens last year, he caught 65 balls for almost 1,000 yards and 4 TDs.

When I see a team's top receiver with the proven track record of Boldin at a draft position of #116, I say grab him.

You will then be able to laugh at your opponents when you land a starting fantasy receiver with a 12th or 13th round selection.