T.Y. Hilton should be on everyone’s fantasy football sleeper list in 2013, and today we’re going to discuss just why that is.
A shifty and speedy receiver, T.Y. Hilton convinced many fantasy owners he was a legitimate receiving threat after finishing the 2012 season with 50 receptions for 861 yards and seven touchdowns.
And this was with a rookie QB.
In addition to these stellar achievements, T.Y. Hilton also registered five 100+ yards games in 2012.
But is this enough to simply claim him a “sleeper” candidate?
In the 2012 offseason, the Indianapolis Colts went ahead and scooped up Darrius Heyward-Bey (formerly of Oakland) which suggested the Colts weren’t entirely trustworthy of the young Hilton, despite his accomplishments.
Even now many beat writers are suggesting that both Heyward-Bey and Hilton will split time as the No.2 receiver opposite of R. Wayne.
Not only is this impractical, it could potentially be inaccurate.
Information fantasy owners need to know.
Before the acquisition of Heyward-Bey, the Colts only had Hilton and veteran R. Wayne as the team’s top receivers, with the under achieving LaVon Brazil as the team’s other main receiver in certain sets.
Don't fall asleep on T.Y. Hilton in 2013!The notion here is the Colts wanted another receiver to challenge for a role in the starting offense, as well as, an upgrade over LaVon Brazil.
So, they got their man.
Or did they, and can we really assume the young Hilton is better than Heyward-Bey? Wouldn't DHB (a veteran of sorts)be favored over Hilton as a sleeper?
Perhaps not.
Darrius Heyward-Bey isn’t exactly the most reliable route runner, whereas T.Y. Hilton is.
T.Y. Hilton caught two more TDs over DHB in 2012, and in his first three seasons, DHB totaled just five TDs!
Hilton caught more balls in 2012 (50), posted more yards (861) and a better YPC average (17.2) than Heyward-Bey (41-606, 14.8 AVG).
Clearly, Hilton’s hands are better and his base skill sets are better; two major traits the Colts won’t be able to ignore in 2013.
The only factor left to be determined is who will play where.
DHB is the taller of the two which would suggest the number two role—could this mean an expanded role in the slot for Hilton?
Despite those other whispers of the two receivers splitting time at the outside position when the Colts run their two-wide sets, a unified agreement is forming that Hilton will be a mainstay in the three-wide sets.
In other words, Hilton is already being projected as an every down receiver and i predict Hilton will command more snaps than DHB in the two-wide sets.
The bottom line here is that T.Y. Hilton is a full blown sleeper candidate.
We can assume he is the true No. 2 receiver in Indianapolis. We can also assume he is going to play more downs, and ultimately see an increase in his targets.
We know he is better than DHB, and we certainly know the kid has nothing but upside that is the product of his natural talent.
Is T.Y. Hilton a 2013 fantasy football sleeper? I can't see how he's not!
Player Bio and Information:
Age: 23
Current ADP: 7th Round
Service: Second Year Pro
Potential PPR Value: Above Average
Potential Dynasty Value: Excellent
Final 2012 Stats: 50-860-7 (17.2 YPC) 15 games
Projected 2013 Stats: 70-1,148-9 (16.4 YPC)
