The Indianapolis Colts did what too many teams can’t do: move on from a disastrous decision. They saddled the Commanders with Carson Wentz, and went out and got Matt Ryan. Heck, it worked to go out and get Philip Rivers, so maybe the Colts can just become the NFL Home For Wayward Elderly Quarterbacks. Indy snagged three fantasy football-relevant players in the 2022 NFL Draft, including two with their first two picks in the draft. What can we expect from these guys in 2022 fantasy football?
FULL INDIANAPOLIS COLTS DRAFT RESULTS
| Rd. | Pick | Player | Pos. | College |
| 2 | 53 | Alec Pierce | WR | Cincinnati |
| 3 | 73 | Jelani Woods | TE | Virginia |
| 3 | 77 | Bernhard Raimann | OL | Central Michigan |
| 3 | 96 | Nick Cross | DB | Maryland |
| 5 | 159 | Eric Johnson | DT | Missouri State |
| 6 | 192 | Andrew Ogletree | TE | Youngstown St. |
| 6 | 216 | Curtis Brooks | DT | Cincinnati |
| 7 | 239 | Rodney Thomas II | LB | Yale |
Round 2, Pick 53 Overall: Alec Pierce, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati (6’3” 211 lbs)
Depth Chart:
WR1: Michael Pittman Jr.
WR2: Alec Pierce
WR3: Parris Campbell
WR4: Mike Strachan
WR5: Dezmon Patmon
TALENT
Alec Pierce is exactly the type of wide receiver I told myself I would stop falling in love with when watching their draft tape, but here we are. He’s a big guy who dominates 50/50 balls at the point of the catch and can torch defensive backs despite his height. It’s a countdown before someone gets over his skis and calls Pierce a “rare mix of size and speed” like they say about every non-lumberer over 6’2”. He reminds me a lot of Kenny Golladay in that he can’t really take over a football game with his talent, but if he and the QB have a good connection, he can probably produce. And, like Kenny Golladay, I think he could have a decent year this season as a 50/50 receiver for Matt Ryan, should they hit the ground running.
2022 OPPORTUNITY
Look at the Colts’ depth chart and tell me where the targets that aren’t going to Michael Pittman will go. Mo Alie-Cox? Nyheim Hines? Parris Campbell, who probably suffered a calf strain and will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks just at the mere mention of his name? Nope, they’re going to Alec Pierce. Pierce will have a chance to flash, but I doubt he does so out of the gate. It’s likely he ends up on the most dropped list after week two and the most added list after week five. I believe in Pierce’s talent.
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
It all depends on what the Colts and Matt Eberflus decide to do with the offense. Pierce is best suited as a deep threat receiver, meaning that they’ll have to pull Michael Pittman out of those routes and strictly into a middle/underneath stud role for Matt Ryan and company. But, I am most definitely advocating spending a pick on Pierce in your redraft leagues. Right now, he has an ADP of 173.5 on Underdog, but that has fallen from 216 in recent weeks. It’s entirely possible he sniffs the ninth round when all is said and done, but more-than-likely, he’s a dart throw before your defense and kicker.
TALENT
2022 OPPORTUNITY
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Round 3, Pick 73 Overall: Jelani Woods, Tight End, Virginia (6’7” 259 lbs)
Depth Chart:
TE1: Mo Alie-Cox
TE2: Kylen Granson
TE3: Jelani Woods
TE4: Andrew Ogletree
TALENT
Jelani Woods is HUGE and had a literally perfect 10.0 RAS score. The easy pre-draft comparison was Mo Alie-Cox, but I feel like he could be better than Big MAC. Woods has the proprioception and athleticism that Alie-Cox struggles to display on a consistent basis. Unfortunately, Woods isn’t a great route runner, but you don’t need to be a decent tight end. He’s very good all-around in the open field and could be a big mismatch for defensive backs and linebackers alike with his size and speed. He could be an interesting developmental tight end for the Colts to have Big MAC teach him the ins and outs of the finer points of tight end, as he isn’t very refined, just sort of a fast bully.
2022 OPPORTUNITY
The Colts already have Jelani Woods on the roster, and his name is Mo Alie-Cox, and even he struggles to get targets in this offense.
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Rookie tight ends are almost always players we ignore! Keep it up with Jelani Woods, no matter what his RAS score was.
TALENT
2022 OPPORTUNITY
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
Round 6, Pick 192 Overall: Andrew Ogletree, Tight End, Youngstown State (6’7” 250 lbs)
Depth Chart:
TE1: Mo Alie-Cox
TE2: Kylen Granson
TE3: Jelani Woods
TE4: Andrew Ogletree
TALENT
Andrew Ogletree is aptly named, as the guy is now one of three tight ends in the Colts’ tight end room standing at 6’6” or higher. Unfortunately, he’s just not very good. Ogletree beat up on the Missouri Valley Conference, which allowed his size to overwhelm his worst traits on the football field. Ogletree is an athletic marvel but he struggles with catching the football and blocking opposing players. The last time I checked, those are important parts of being a tight end.
2022 OPPORTUNITY
He’s TE4 on a team, behind another rookie tight end.
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
No thanks.
TALENT
2022 OPPORTUNITY
2022 FANTASY FOOTBALL OUTLOOK
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