Fantasy Upside
Carson Wentz lost his job to Jalen Hurts last year and now re-unites with former offensive coordinator Frank Reich in Indianapolis. Wentz was awful last season, throwing 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 12 games. However, fantasy owners should be careful completely disregarding Wentz. His career averages per game are 247.2 yards, 1.67 touchdowns and 0.73 interceptions. That equates to QB2 numbers if he doesn’t get any better. True, last year was a disaster, but it’s worth noting he had a pretty awful supporting cast. This year, he gets to go back to life with Reich – who was the offensive coordinator during Wentz’s fantastic 2017 season – and will get a very good offensive line and several solid targets to work with. The Colts don’t exactly rival the Buccaneers with pass-catchers, but T.Y. Hilton can still play, and Michael Pittman Jr. has at least as much promise as Jalen Reagor.
Fantasy Downside
Wentz was bad enough last year, he might just be done. He looks timid in the pocket and like he doesn’t trust himself anymore. He also has struggled to stay healthy at certain points in his career and doesn’t seem to know how to protect himself in the pocket or when he scrambles out of it. That leads to big hits. Wentz shouldn’t deal with too much controversy on the depth chart and should have a reasonably long leash, but it’s not completely out of the question that we’ll see last year’s fourth-round pick Jacob Eason get a chance if Wentz struggles enough.
2021 Bottom Line
Wentz is a nice risk-reward option as a QB2. He’s available in the late-12th round of redraft leagues right now and has a wide range of outcomes that includes QB1 potential. Wentz has value as a backup to a stud picked early on, or a tandem pick to a late-round gamble. He has a high floor while healthy and starting given the offense he’s in and his affordability makes him attractive for bargain-shoppers.
