2011 NFL Fantasy Football Draft Strategy: Delone Carter vs. Donald Brown

Delone Carter vs. Donald Brown

During the third week of the preseason, I happened to watch the Colts play the Packers on CBS, and one of the battles I kept a close eye on was the performance of Donald Brown and rookie running back Delone Carter.

While Brown worked second on the depth chart after Joseph Addai, he continued his ineffective ways on the ground, as he carried the football six times for a mere twelve yards. Carter, a favorite of mine to start before Addai re-signed, came in after Brown and totaled 27 yards rushing on seven carries.

While I still believe Carter is the player to handcuff to Addai (in deep leagues), I decided to reach out to Colts’ beat writer Phillip Wilson to find out his thoughts on the situation.

I tweeted Wilson, wondering if Brown would remain ahead of Carter, or if the young running back has a chance to move ahead of him on the depth chart.

Wilson replied that if Carter doesn’t run in front of Brown to start the season, he should at least take over the “hard yards” (running inside the tackles) as the season moves along.

In a recent article by Wilson, he admits that Carter has been impressive and has the ability to give this team the hard inside running they’ve lacked in recent years.

Carter’s physical style is a big reason the team selected him in the middle rounds, and during the spring, Carter was talked about as a candidate to run out the clock late in games and get goal-line work.

Obviously, with Addai around, that role will change. But as fantasy owners who’ve selected Addai in the past understand all too well, the veteran is injury prone.

This past spring, Wilson even talked about the Colts possibly parting ways with Brown after this season, because they are unhappy with his inability to run between the tackles and his struggles with pass protection.

Maybe Carter will be worked in a little slowly in the first month of the season. He did lose time to work with the team in the offseason, but he is the runner to target if you’re looking for a future prospect from this team in dynasty leagues or for a potential breakout player later in the season.

Follow Phillip Wilson on Twitter – http://twitter.com/pwilson24

Read Phillip Wilson’ Work – http://blogs.indystar.com/philb/

Peyton Manning Activated Off PUP List

Great news for the Colts as their star quarterback is now looking likely to play the first week of the regular season. I still have my doubts that we will see the Manning we’ve come to expect until sometime in October, but hearing he’s on the field is encouraging news.

Fantasy Impact

Having Manning on the field means everything to the stock of the players in this offense. As Manning goes, so do the Colts. Without him, they would probably win only five games this year.

With Manning on the field, Reggie Wayne and others should be considered safe additions to your team. Draft as you normally would when selecting Indianapolis players.

Tweet – Manning Activated

Greg Toler Torn ACL

The Cardinals received another blow to their roster, as cornerback Greg Toler is lost for the season after tearing his ACL in the team's third preseason game.

Cardinals beat writer Kent Somers speculated that he felt the Cardinals wouldn’t look for help in free agency or via trade, as they have a decent group of corners in camp already.

Fantasy Impact

 This is good news for Patrick Peterson’s IDP fantasy stock, as he should have a starting job locked in. But losing Toler won’t help Arizona against opposing passing attacks. Look to the Cardinals defense as a friendly team to face when making tough start/sit decisions at receiver this year.

Tweet – Toler Lost For The Season

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