Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts WR Surpasses Reggie Wayne: Fantasy Football

It hasn’t taken long for the reality to set in that Peyton Manning’s new favorite fantasy wide receiver target is not Reggie Wayne, but is in fact second-year standout Austin Collie.

Collie and fellow 2009 fantasy surprise Pierre Garcon have been entrenched in a battle for playing time in the early season, but it appears that Collie has run away with the second wide receiver spot on one of the league’s most productive offenses.

With Garcon missing Week Three with an injury and Collie being hugely productive (12 receptions, 171 yards, two touchdowns) in Garcon’s absence, that gap has widened even further.

Targeted by Manning on 32 passes recently, Collie made an impressive 27 catches for 359 yards and four touchdowns in just the first three weeks of the season. Meanwhile, Reggie Wayne, while still impressive, has been targeted on less passes (28) and been significantly less productive (18 catches, 260 yards, two touchdowns).

Some might argue that Austin Collie has benefited from the extra attention defenses are giving to Wayne and tight end Dallas Clark, but that actually plays into Collie’s favor even more. With defenses focusing extra attention on other players, Collie is often lined up with the second or even third best cornerback on the opposing team, creating the type of mismatches that Peyton Manning has made a career of exploiting.

Though Reggie Wayne is the most talented and “safe” receiver on the team, as fantasy owners we need to look beyond the talent and consider the fantasy production of players. Wayne can hold the crown of “best” receiver on the Colts—we just want the one who scores the most.

We’re only three weeks into the season, but Austin Collie looks like the kind of player who is going to remain a fantasy stud all year, and long into the future. Peyton Manning loves this kid and any player who leads the Colts in targets is an absolute, every-week fantasy starter. If you have him, keep riding the wave. If you don’t, do everything you can to acquire him before his value gets even higher.