As the month of August nears, so does one of my favorite annual traditions — fantasy football.
And although I’ve had terrible luck in years past, I joined a group of local radio guys at WRGF-FM 89.7 in Greenfield for a live draft on the air Wednesday. Owen Smith, Max Holtzclaw and Adam Grimes all did a fantastic job providing NFL analysis and tips for drafting while we all snaked our way through more than a dozen rounds.
The trio also hosts the “Let’s Talk Sports Lunchtime” weekday show, which airs between noon and 1 p.m. Give them a listen if you haven’t already. I’m sure you’ve seen them at a couple local games.
But back to the football.
Rather than bore you a bunch of fantasy statistics and numbers and a rundown of my whole team, I’ll provide a list of Indianapolis Colts — a team I actually watch — players who might be worth a look on draft day.
I also thought it would be fun to pick a Hancock County fantasy team with local players. I obviously, like the rest of you, have no idea what’s about to happen the next couple of months, but it’s fun to guess.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck, quarterbackOK, this is the one player I’ll spend a little length on and tell you I drafted. Not because I have all these secrets but because I have a horrible problem with picking my favorite players, which almost always happens to be Colts players.
I’m a homer. I get it. But the $100-plus million dollar man is healthy and wants vengeance. I expect to see huge numbers from Luck this season. I wouldn’t take him in the first couple of rounds, but he is a largely underrated — in ESPN’s rankings — player who is worth leading your fantasy team.
T.Y. Hilton, wide receiver
The Ghost. A healthy Luck means a happy Hilton. He isn’t rated as high either due to last season being so odd for the Colts, but he is a great third or fourth round receiver who can be a No. 1 on your roster — if you happened to pick a couple of running backs with your first two picks.
Donte Moncrief, wide receiver
Not a bad option at a flex position one week or a backup for your No. 2 wide receiver spot. He has sure hands and will get some looks with people focusing on Hilton.
Frank Gore, running back
Gore is at the back of the pack on most fantasy lists, but I don’t think people should be as afraid of the aging veteran this season compared to last. Someone has to score on the goal line for Indy — although Luck often uses his big body to sneak into the end zone.
Phillip Dorsett, wide receiver
Grab him on a week-by-week basis, unless you pick him up super late in a huge league. He’s going to be a guy who stands out on particular Sundays, depending on the matchup, and will probably go from 0 to 25 points in a two-week period.
Dwayne Allen, tight end
With Coby Fleener gone, Allen is licking his chops. Quarterbacks who have success in the league — Tom Brady — use their tight ends well. I think the Colts will use this position more this season.
My Just-For-Fun Hancock County Fantasy Football Team
QuarterbackJarett Lewis, Eastern Hancock
Poised for a strong junior campaign after nearing 2,000 yards as a sophomore.
Running back
Devin Denny, Eastern Hancock
Leading returning rusher in Hancock County. Runs a 4.5 40-yard dash.
Running back
Nathan Seifert, Mt. Vernon
Rushed for 940 yards in 2015.
Wide receiver
Brett Luker, New Palestine
He will be the No. 1 guy on the outside after the departure of studs Duke Blackwell and Logan Greene.
Wide receiver
Bryce Ratliff, Greenfield-Central
He is so fast and elusive.
Tight end
Clayton Cochard, Eastern Hancock
Lewis will find Cochard over the middle a number of times.
Flex (WR, RB or TE)
Adam Kincaid, New Palestine
Kincaid is a beast. Look at some of his lifting videos on coach Kyle Ralph’s Twitter page — yikes.
Defense
New Palestine
Red Rage — enough said.
Kicker
Spencer Corey, New Palestine
He as 113 of 114 last season on point after attempts.
Defensive player
Mitch McCarthy, Mt. Vernon linebacker
Tackling machine, totaled 137 last season.
Kris Mills is a sports writer for the Daily Reporter. Send comments to [email protected].
