There is a curse associated with the NFL draft. If you’re good enough to be considered a top ten pick you’ll most likely find yourself wishing for a championship instead of striving for one. Teams like the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions have entrenched themselves in the early portion of the draft so often that it has almost become habitual. The Indianapolis Colts, however, are the polar opposite...
Ohio State wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez was “bad” enough to fall to the 32nd overall pick. At the end of draft day he would find himself conjuring visions of AFC Championships and shiny half-pound rings. He was drafted by the Colts, defending Super Bowl champions, with their first overall pick. There was the innate notion that he would be a slot receiver, waiting in the wings until the Colts’ franchise receiver, Marvin Harrison, faded out.
That was an arduous task to ask of a rookie receiver - to envision himself replacing the legendary Marvin Harrison, but that instance came sooner than later. Harrison injured his knee during a week 4 contest against the Denver Broncos. He would attempt to return to action after the Colts’ bye week but with futility.
Gonzalez suddenly found himself starting opposite Reggie Wayne. He didn’t disappoint. Gonzalez started nine games in his rookie year, posting six or more receptions in four games and over one-hundred yards in two games. Towards the end of the season, in weeks 14 and 15, he capped it off with three touchdown receptions.
Marvin Harrison would inevitably come back in 2008, but he would not be the same receiver. The Colts knew that, Gonzalez knew that, and Harrison must have known that, albeit subconsciously. Wayne became the uncontested No. 1 receiver while Gonzalez and Harrison would fight each other for catches in the No. 2 spot. The Colts leaned towards Harrison as a show of loyalty to their veteran receiver, but at the end of the season the two wideouts would share nearly identical stat lines. Harrison tallied three more catches than Gonzalez, one more touchdown, but 28 fewer yards.
Now, entering the 2009 NFL season with Marvin Harrison still floundering in the free agent pool, Anthony Gonzalez assumes the coveted No. 2 spot. Coveted because the Colts have been a top-six passing offense every year since Peyton Manning entered the league in 1998. Simply put, that means consistent fantasy points for the owners of Indianapolis wide receivers. Gonzalez only started two games in 2008 yet he managed to put up numbers equivalent to that of a No. 3 fantasy wideout.
According to Fantasy Football Calculator, Anthony Gonzalez has an average draft position of 59.5 in over 700 mock drafts during the last several days. That puts him at the borderline between the 5th and 6th rounds, which seems about right. He should be considered a low-risk No. 2 fantasy receiver as he is entering the pivotal third year with an incredible supporting cast.
Football is a team sport. Ask Chad Ochocinco how he did last season with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing him the ball. Or you could ask me; I had him on my roster. I must confess that I was sacrificing small animals to the fantasy gods in hopes that Chad would have a breakout game and carry my team for one week. That never happened. You can rest assured the same horrendous season will not befoul Anthony Gonzalez, barring a catastrophe. While the Colts have a new offensive coordinator in Clyde Christensen, the 11-year veteran behind center will definitely have some say in the running of the Colts’ offense. Peyton is a creature of habit, as all humans are, and I believe the essence of Tom Moore will remain in the Colts’ offense. The pieces are there; Gonzalez has just moved up in the pecking order. Now if you’ll excuse me I must prepare myself for the onslaught of hate emails I will receive from PETA. Apparently they can’t take a joke.
