Fantasy Upside
The undrafted rookie out of Illinois has a chance to become Frank Gore’s primary back-up with a good training camp and preseason, after impressing in OTAs. "It's just in shorts, but he looks really good," coach Chuck Pagano said at the end of minicamp. "He's smart. He picks things up in a hurry. He's very, very athletic. He's a great receiver out of the back field. We can split him wide, we can displace him formationally. He's a mismatch out in space. He's got juice. He can go. He's got great vision."
Considering Gore is 33-years-old and the history of backs that old being either unproductive or unhealthy, Ferguson is a potential handcuff to keep an eye on in an offense that lends itself to fantasy production.
Fantasy Downside
We’ve heard this kind of praise before from Indianapolis about rookie running backs under head coach Chuck Pagano. Last year, it was 6th round pick Josh Robinson, who didn’t make the active roster. The year before it was Zurlon Tipton (may he rest in peace), who wasn’t given an opportunity until very late in the season when Ahmad Bradshaw was injured and Trent Richardson was finally abandoned. The Colts have a track record in recent years of being hesitant to give young backs big roles.
Bottom Line
Ferguson is not a player who will be drafted in most fantasy leagues, barring an injury to Gore in training camp or the preseason, and even then, Ferguson still has to make the team. If he does though, he’s a name to keep an eye on in 2016, maybe more so in PPR leagues, as he’s received consistent praise for his scat back qualities.
