Indianapolis Colts - Fantasy News

Who to Start: Jack Doyle or Delanie Walker?

by Mike Rose

10/12/17

NFL

Indianapolis Colts

Jack Doyle

With both the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans winners in two of their first five games, this Week 6 AFC South tilt set for Monday Night Football is one of the more important games of the 2017 slate. Notice I didn’t say one of the most exciting.

Regardless, the tight end matchup between Jack Doyle and Delanie Walker is worth monitoring to see if either is seriously worth targeting to add to your Dober Pick ‘Em cards.

Fantasy Matchup: Jack Doyle (6.5 PFP) vs. Delanie Walker (9.5 PFP)

Doyle blew up in a big way to put himself on the fantasy map by pulling in 59 receptions for 584 yards and five touchdowns last season. His 9.9 yards per catch were the most for his career. Unfortunately, he just hasn’t been able to get on track in 2017, and he is still looking for his first touchdown of the campaign.

To date, the former Western Kentucky Hilltopper has reeled in 17 receptions and turned them into 163 yards with a long of 21. His 4.25 receptions and 40.75 yards per game have equated into a meager 5.7 Dober Fantasy Points average. He was forced to miss last week’s game due to a concussion, but he is expected to be healthy enough to suit up for this contest.

It won’t be easy in his return to action with the Titans ranked No. 7 against tight ends while allowing just 9.9 fantasy points per game. Only Jimmy Graham has been able to have major success versus Tennessee’s defense when he pulled in 10 catches for 125 yards and a score back in Week 3. In two meetings against the Titans last season, Doyle combined for 10 receptions for 85 yards and a touchdown. That, however, was with Andrew Luck getting him the pigskin and not Jacoby Brissett.

It’s tough to love Walker this week not knowing who will be under center. However, I’m going to attack this matchup with Marcus Mariota playing the role of signal caller after he came out and said he’s feeling a ton better and should be ready to go on Monday night.

If that ends up being the case, Walker is most definitely the tight end to target in this Dober matchup. Walker is averaging 8.2 Dober Fantasy Points in 2017, and he is favored to beat Doyle by 3.0 points. However, since busting out the first two weeks, the veteran has pretty much been nonexistent. He’s failed to reach his Projected Fantasy Points total in the next three games, averaging just 5.23 DFP.

As ugly as that may seem, game script and the fact that Matt Cassel was his quarterback for six-plus quarters played a large role. With Mariota under center, Walker will have an opportunity to lead the Titans in receiving and possibly touchdowns. The Colts rank No. 26 versus tight ends, allowing 14.6 fantasy points per game. In two meetings with Indy last season, Walker recorded 11 receptions for 120 yards and a touchdown.

The Colts have been nothing short of horrific away from Lucas Oil Stadium this season, as they’ve been outscored by the aggregate score of 92-27. While Indianapolis is no doubt going to put some points on the board, I just don’t see a bulk of the damage coming from Doyle due to Tennessee’s ability to limit tight end production.

On the flipside, I could see Walker being a focal point of the Titans attack as they look to take advantage of Indy’s porous secondary that ranks No. 30 versus the pass. I’d only lay the three points and add Walker to my Dober Play Card if Mariota is running the offense. If not, don’t waste your time with this matchup.

Week 6 Fantasy Projection: Delanie Walker (-3) vs. Jack Doyle