Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Considering the play of Indianapolis Colts RB Trent Richardson down the stretch last season, the backup spot in Indy will be quite popular in fantasy football drafts this summer. The team has Ahmad Bradshaw on the roster to spell Richardson, but they also have elusive runner Vick Ballard returning to the team as well.
Positives:
Ballard was very productive at the end of the 2012 season. He averaged 73.6 rushing yards over the final five games (including the playoffs) and scored two touchdowns. The former Mississippi State standout seemed like he was a lock to earn a starting spot in Indy in 2013 before a knee injury cost him the final 15 games. Ballard still proved that he is capable of taking over the number one spot in the team’s offense.
Negatives:
Ballard is currently the third option on the team to run the ball. Trent Richardson is still the starter with Ahmad Bradshaw serving as his primary backup, which doesn’t leave many touches to go to Ballard throughout the year.
Ballard tore his ACL in Week 2 last year and missed the rest of the season. Even worse, Ballard will miss all of the team’s OTAs and will come into the season somewhat behind the rest of the backs. He will have a tough time finding caries in the early part of the 2014 season and it will take him some time to get back into game shape.
Final Verdict:
Ballard may have performed well at times in 2012, but he is buried too far down the team’s depth chart nowadays. He will be an emergency running back option only at the end of the draft.
Bye Week: 10
Projected Round: 17
Auction Value: $1
Adam McGill is the Senior Fantasy Sports Writer at Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @adammcgill83, like him on Facebook, or add him to you networks on Google here or here.
