Matt Ryan Fantasy Impact With The Colts

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Matt Ryan Fantasy 2022

In the free agency, let’s make a deal frenzy that marked the beginning of the 2022 NFL Season, the quarterback carousel was ridiculously crazy. Crazy enough to play havoc with your fantasy drafts and your fantasy hopes.

Of course, a lot will depend on how all 32 teams’ final rosters will look like, but we can gleam an idea of what is a person’s fantasy potential.  And the person we are gleaming today is quarterback Ryan.

Ryan is now under center with the Indianapolis Colts.  Last season the Colts were 27^th in team passing attempts (30.6) and 28^th in team passing play percentage (52.57%).  In comparison, the Atlanta Falcons were 19^th in team passing attempts and eighth in team passing play percentage (60.93%).

Ryan’s stats last season included 560 passing attempts, 82 rushing yards, and 20 passing touchdowns.  He averaged 13.8 fantasy points per game, ending up as the 20th-ranked quarterback in fantasy (234.92 fantasy points).  Carson Wentz under center in Indianapolis finished as the 14^th best quarterback in fantasy football (265.02 total fantasy points).

THE COLTS

In free agency, the Colts lost wide receiver Zach Pascal and tight end Jack Doyle.  Wide receiver TY Hilton is a free agent that is still available.

Pascal in 2021 was on the receiving end of 69 targets and 38 receptions; Doyle had 43 targets and 29 receptions, and adding Hilton’s production equals a total of 149 targets and 90 receptions.

The receiving options for Ryan currently include:

• Michael Pittman Jr.: 2021 stats 129 targets, 88 receptions, 1082 receiving yards, 6 receiving touchdowns
• Parris Campbell: 2021 stats 20 targets, 10 receptions, 162 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdowns
• Ashton Dulin: 2021 stats 21 targets, 13 receptions, 173 receiving yards, 2 receiving yards
• Dezmon Patmon: 2021 stats 4 targets, 2 receptions, 21 receiving yards, 1 receiving touchdowns
• Michael Strachon: no 2021 stats
• Keke Coutee: 2021 stats 1 target, 1 reception, 5 receiving yards
• DeMichael Harris: no 2021 stats
• Tight end Mo Alie-Cox: 2021 stats 45 targets, 24 receptions, 316 receiving yards, 4 receiving touchdowns

BUT THIS IS ABOUT MATT RYAN

Is it?

Running back Jonathan Taylor is still in the backfield.

Last season the Colts were fifth in rushing attempts per game (29.4) and fifth in the percentage of rushing plays (47.43).

Taylor not only finished as RB1 in fantasy, but he led all NFL players in red zone opportunities (93), averaged 5.5 yards per carry and had 20 total touchdowns.  Taylor did have 53 targets giving him a 10.6% target share.

FanDuel has ranked Ryan 11^th out of 16^th in the AFC quarterback race.  Unless the Colts find him more weapons it is hard to argue with that.

https://twitter.com/FanDuel/status/1516446020753784833?s=20&t=pWnsszXNeQZnFSipLSfdNA

Ryan’s fantasy ceiling is lowered not only by his lack of productive weapons but Taylor’s proficiency in the run.

The Colts have seven 2022 NFL Draft picks, starting in the second round.  With the depth of the receiving class this year not having a first-round pick should not be as detrimental as it appears.

Pump the brakes on getting overly excited about Ryan’s fantasy value in Indianapolis…at least until the end of the 2022 NFL Draft.

The man you cannot deny is Taylor.  Ryan being a slightly more dependable man under center than what the Colts had last season can only add value to Taylor.

The Colts are currently making it difficult for redraft fantasy players.  So for now count on Taylor and hope for more reliable receiving options for Ryan and your fantasy dreams.