Indianapolis Colts - Fantasy News

Phillip Dorsett 2017 Fantasy Projections

by Aaron Bowers

8/13/17

NFL

Indianapolis Colts

Phillip Dorsett

As the 29^th pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, Phillip Dorsett has not quite lived up to the expectations of being such a high selection. Through two seasons, the wide receiver has 51 receptions for 753 yards and three touchdowns—not exactly a picture of fantasy success.

Already passed up by Donte Moncrief on the Indianapolis Colts depth chart, Dorsett enters his third season battling Kamar Aiken and Chester Rogers for playing time in three-receiver sets.

Getting on the field with Andrew Luck at quarterback is usually a recipe for success, so maybe 2017 is the year that the former Miami speedster puts it together and lives up to his lofty draft position.

Why Phillip Dorsett Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Stud

A 4.25 40-yard dash is the reason Dorsett was so highly drafted. And if he is going to be a fantasy stud in 2017, his speed will be the reason.

In Coral Gables, Dorsett averaged more than 25 yards per reception. His speed forces defenses to change their game plan and pushes defensive backs way off the line of scrimmage, opening up space underneath.

He has good hands and catches the ball away from his body. If he gets behind the corner, he can make big plays—his three touchdowns have been for 50, 64 and 35 yards. With such explosiveness and a low Projected Fantasy Point total, Dorsett is one of the few players in the league who can exceed weekly expectations in a single play.

Luck has been one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL through five seasons, but he and Dorsett haven’t been on the field much together. The former Stanford signal caller has missed ten games in the last two seasons, and Dorsett has missed six. Luck has the arm strength, intelligence and accuracy to make his receivers look better than they are. If he can get into a rhythm with Dorsett, they could be an electric combination.

Why Phillip Dorsett Will Be A 2017 Fantasy Football Dud

The routes that have been so successful for Dorsett are deep posts, fly routes and double moves. These routes take a long time to develop, and Luck has had little time to throw. Only four teams in the NFL gave up more sacks than the Colts in 2016. If the offensive line isn’t better in 2017, there won’t be many chances for Dorsett to make plays on deep balls.

Through 26 NFL games, Dorsett has been targeted 98 times. He is not a focal part of the offense, which makes him a risky fantasy bet. He is buried behind T.Y. Hilton and Moncrief at receiver, meaning he will only get playing time when the Colts go to three or four wide receiver sets. Unless there are injuries to players in front of him, Dorsett won’t get many chances at fantasy glory.

Dorsett was a very raw prospect coming out of Miami, and he hasn’t become more polished in the two seasons since. His route running is particularly egregious, and he doesn’t have the catch radius needed to compensate. He will need to make significant improvements to even get on the field, let alone gain significant fantasy value.