With Joseph Addai set to hit free agency once the transaction freeze is lifted and Donald Brown failing to emerge as the lead runner in Indianapolis, the Colts spent a 4th round pick on running back Delone Carter.
While indications point to the Colts possibly retaining Addai, Carter assures that they will not have to overpay and that the club will make a decision that is in their best interests.
Carter is a bowling ball type of back who is built a lot like MJD at just over 5’8 and weighing in at 225 lbs.
Now while Carter has shown that he can be a power back he has a tendency to dance around in the hole but that will undoubtedly be fixed by the Colts coaching staff.
Carter had an excellent 20-yard shuttle and also performed well in the bench press with 27 reps; he was the only running back to place in the top-4 in both of these drills which measure acceleration/deceleration out of cuts and strength respectively.
Carter does not have proven hands so the Colts will need Donald Brown to improve, to bring back Addai or find another good pass catching back through free agency.
Carter possess a low center of gravity, good balance and is hard to take down and has the ability to become the lead back for the Colts offense in time.
Fantasy Impact:
Delone Carter’s true impact for the 2011 fantasy football season is till up in the air with free agency still yet to begin, with Jospeh Addai playing a large factor in the amount of fantasy value Carter has in year one.
With Addai still in town Carter will become the teams short-yardage and goal-line back and if Addai is not retained he has a very good shot at becoming the Colts early-down back with Donald Brown playing passing downs.
With that said Donald Brown has yet to prove reliable in the pass catching department and if Carter can progress in this area he will likely take some snaps on third down due to his excellent pass protection skills.
Delone is getting a lot of love from other fantasy pundits but I am waiting to see just exactly what happens in free agency.
Carter should emerge with low-end flex2 value by seasons end regardless of what happens in free agency as his goal-line and short-yardage work coupled with his usage in the four minute drill should provide some decent fantasy value.
He is definitely someone to look at in the 2nd round of dynasty league rookie drafts as he has intriguing upside in the Colts high-octane offense where he has a chance to become their starter.
