In regards to Colts wide receivers, it’s Michael Pittman and rookie Alec Pierce who largely gather the most attention. But over the past two weeks, Parris Campbell has been a thing.
The 2019 second-round pick has scored in consecutive games and has totaled 23 (!) targets in that span.
What are fantasy managers to make of this development? Is it merely a flash in the pan? How does the quarterback switch from Matt Ryan to Sam Ehlinger factor in?
Our experts dish on all this below.
Sean Koerner: Campbell has always carried WR3-type upside if he could ever stay healthy, and we are seeing him live up to his potential over the past two games.
I would add him in deeper leagues, but he isn’t someone I would be too aggressive with my FAAB bid. With the Colts switching from Ryan to Ehlinger at quarterback, it could lower the overall passing volume and reshuffle the target distribution enough to hurt Campbell.
It’s going to be tough for him to maintain consistent WR3/4 value as long as Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce are healthy. I would prefer the Giants' Wan’Dale Robinson if he’s available, as he has a much clearer path to every-week WR3 production.
Mike Triplett: I hate to be the pessimist, but I’m concerned the switch from Ryan to Ehlinger could slow Campbell’s recent momentum as a high-volume pass catcher.
The one thing Ryan was doing well (for fantasy purposes, anyway) was firing off a heavy volume of quick, short passes to avoid pressure behind the Colts’ struggling offensive line. Ryan is actually tied for the NFL lead with 203 completions this season, but he ranks 29th in yards per completion (9.89).
I think Campbell was a big benefactor of that style of offense. His production could drop if the passing volume decreases or Ehlinger uses his mobility to scramble more. … Or if Ehlinger just plain struggles behind that O-line that has put a damper on all of Indy’s fantasy prospects this year.
