2012 Fantasy Football Rookie Report: Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Posted by Andy Miley on 08/26/2012 | 0 Comments

Tags: 2012 fantasy football, dynasty, keeper, rookies, Dwayne Allen, tight end, Indianapolis Colts, Andrew Luck, Ty Hilton, LaVon Brazil, Coby Fleener, Reggie Wayne, Austin Colie, Brandon Pettigrew, Jermaine Gresham

Indianapolis is buzzing into the new era of offense.  The Colts drafted another superstar-in-the-making quarterback that only comes around a decade.  Out with the old: Peyton Manning, Jeff Saturday, Joseph Addai, and Dallas Clark.  In with Andrew Luck, who leads the new Colts offense with the seasoned veteran Reggie Wayne as his #1 receiving option.  Indianapolis has re-stocked their cupboard with young and talented receivers in Austin Collie (if he recovers from his concussion), Ty Hilton, LaVon Brazil, Coby Fleener, and Dwayne Allen.  Under the defensive minded Head Coach Chuck Pagano, expect the Colts to have a more balanced offensive attack with Donald Brown and Vick Ballard running the ball, so don't expect a Manning-like 40+ passing attempts a game.

Dwayne Allen, TE, Indianapolis Colts

Height: 6' 3" Weight: 255 lbs College: Clemson

Scouting Report- I re-watched his 2011 games against Auburn, Boston College, and Virginia Tech.  Allen uses good footwork/technique to gain separation and find the soft spot in the defense.  What will help him get on the field is his ability to lineup everywhere: beside the tackle on the line, in the backfield, out wide, and in the slot.

Allen has good hands, excellent route running, and determination to fight for the ball even when it's off target.  He can get up to meet the ball at its highest point to come down with the difficult catch and can shield the defender away even when the defender is in his back pocket.

2012 Analysis- What separates Dwayne Allen from Coby Fleener is his overall toughness and ability to run and pass block.  Allen shows a lot of determination/effort while blocking as this is very important on a team coached by Pagano who wants to dominate the line of scrimmage.

While I expect that most defenses will focus on Fleener, Allen could sneak out for some quick passes in the flat or out of the backfield.  Luck will have a lot of receivers to target; however, Allen will be on the field every offensive play so I reasonably expect about 45 receptions for 400 yards and 3-5 touchdowns in his first year.  Unless the Colts find a true red zone workhorse, look for Allen to be a touchdown threat and increase his receptions and yards as he gets more comfortable with Luck in the next few years.

Compares to: Brandon Pettigrew/Jermaine Gresham