The Colts are having a rough offseason. No one is committing to Andrew Luck being ready for the start of the season, and their starting center is headed for IR with a foot injury. If Scott Tolzien needs to start some games, the season will be over in a hurry. But it looks like they drafted a nice rookie runner.
Marlon Mack was the star of last night's exhibition clunker against Dallas, running 5 times for 45 yards and catching 2 passes for 14 more. One of those catches was an acrobatic, leaping grab of a high thrown. On virtually all of the runs he juked the first defender out of his socks with a stutter-step or head fake, then zipped by him for 10-12 yards.
Maybe he looked extra impressive because Frank Gore and Robert Turbin are playing at about 2-3 speeds slower. But the last time I saw a rookie runner that impressed me so much out of the gate was a couple of preseasons ago when Ameer Abdullah debuted.
That's also a cautionary tale, since impressive preseason work doesn't guarantee a breakout season. Mack is currently third on the depth chart, and much as fantasy owners might wish differently, that won't necessarily change. Gore should get most of the carries, and he and Turbin are also probably more likely to carry at the goal line (slightly more solidly built than Mack) and play in passing situations. Would they trust the rookie in pass protection? Remains to be seen.
Chuck Pagano recently said he thinks Mack can be a special player. He looked like one last night. But at the moment he seems to be ticketed for No. 3 duties in Indianapolis' offense, maybe being sprinkled in for a few snaps here and there in hopes he'll bust a big play at some point. Only in leagues with very deep rosters (or keeper formats) does he look like a reasonable pick.
Watch last night's game, though, and it looks like Mack will be a factor in fantasy leagues eventually. Even if it's not in 2017.
--Andy Richardosn