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The Indianapolis Colts head into the 2014 NFL campaign as a dark horse candidate to win the AFC if they can catch a bit of luck (no pun intended) throughout the season. Indianapolis has talent at the skill positions that still needs to gel as a cohesive unit, but could easily become a dominant force. Currently, they have two talented tight ends that have the skills to overtake the TE1 spot on their depth chart in Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen, who have become an interesting debate topic in 2014 fantasy football.
Allen was solid during his 2012 rookie campaign after being chosen in the third round of the NFL draft out of Clemson University by Indianapolis. He accumulated 45 receptions for 521 yards and three TDs, and it appeared the Colts had found quarterback Andrew Luck the perfect complement to the aforementioned Fleener for years to come.
The 2013 season was not nearly as kind to Allen, as he only appeared in Week 1, in which he injured his hip. Ironically, his only catch of the season was a 20-yard TD pass from Luck, leaving offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton and Colts’ fans alike to wonder what he could have accomplished.
For most of fantasy draft season, until very recently, Allen was being chosen ahead of Fleener by three or four rounds, if not more, on a regular basis, evidenced by their ADPs. That trend has taken a drastic turn of late, as Fleener had a solid preseason, and is being chosen as the consensus 22nd best option at the position according to the Fantasy Pros charts, while Allen is the 27th.
I heavily agree with this trend, and have so going back prior to the preseason for a myriad of reasons, but primarily for one in that Luck and Fleener were collegiate teammates at Standford University and have essentially played football together for the past five years straight. Even if Allen has more physical ability, he’s only caught one pass from Luck in his life, while Luck and Fleener literally used to live together and have an undeniable rapport. In theory, Luck and Fleener’s relationship should have nothing to do with what happens on the field, however, we all know it does and will continue to.
Allen could be productive in 2014, but appears as a big time ‘sell’ candidate currently. Stay away.
Timothy Downs is a St. Louis Rams/NFL writer for www.RantSports.com. You can add him on Google or follow on Twitter @Tidow1212.
