Fantasy Football 2014: Top 10 Quarterbacks
Jan 4, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) dives into the end zone for a touchdown during the fourth quarter of the 2013 AFC wild card playoff football game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Andrew Luck
What I noticed was the difference from last year’s Colts team from this year’s team was Andrew Luck’s reliance on the passing game. In 2012 Luck passed for 4,374 yards and 23 touchdowns, while this season Luck passed for just 3,822 yards and 23 touchdowns. The difference with Luck’s 2013 performance as compared to his 2012 performance was not that he was being a less productive QB, but rather a more efficient QB. In 2012 Luck only completed 54.1% of his passes, throwing 18 interceptions and fumbling the ball a disastrous 10 times. In 2013, Luck completed 60.2% of his passes while throwing only nine interceptions and fumbling the ball six times. Luck was actually a better QB in 2013 because he was able to complete his passes, manage the game and still throw touchdowns. Of course Luck did have help to achieve his 3,822 passing yards. Graybeard Reggie Wayne (503 yards on 38 catches in 2013), home run hitter T.Y. Hilton (1,083 yards and five touchdowns on 82 receptions), and reliable TE Colby Fleener (52 catches for 608 yards and four touchdowns) all combined to make the Colts’ passing offense the 17th best in the NFL in 2013. Some other receivers such as Darrius Heyward-Bey (309 yards on 29 catches) and Griff Whalen (24 catches for 259 yards) all helped Luck whenever Wayne and Hilton were already covered. What makes this Colts’ passing offense so dangerous is not just dual-threat Andrew Luck (who rushed for 377 yards and four touchdowns in 2013), but his variety of talented receivers, all of whom have the ability to turn a routine pitch-and-catch into six points. As well, the Colts added former Giants’ receiver Hakeem Nicks to the mix, giving Luck yet another elite receiver to throw to. WR LeVon Brazill, and Donte Moncrief will be backing up Wayne, Hilton, and Nicks and should come in handy whenever the Colts run five receiver sets. One of the reasons the Colts ranked just 17th in the league in receiving last season would also be because of injuries. WR Reggie Wayne unfortunately injured himself for the reason after catching for over 71 yards per game at the start of the season. Had Wayne been healthy the entire season, he probably could have surpassed 1,000 yards easily. Thus, because Wayne, Hilton and Nicks will be returning healthy in 2014, the Colts and Luck should see huge growth in their passing game.
As for fantasy owners, Luck is as solid as you can get. I think that this season sees improvement because Luck actually has an established backfield. Where I see luck in 2014 is at a place where he can combine his rushing ability with his passing abilities. I think though, Luck will most likely focus on the passing aspect of the ball with Reggie Wayne back before running the football.