Week 12 vs. Tennessee Titans
Over the past three games for the Colts, Frank Gore has 67 touches to 41 for Marlon Mack. The Titans are slightly worse than league average in aFPA against RBs. Mack had just 2 touches in the first meeting between these two teams this season, and the Colts' offensive line is still just #notgoodatfootball. That keeps him on the bench for fantasy owners in Week 12 and beyond until the Colts realize they have nothing left to play for this season and give him a featured role to see what he can do over the 34-year-old Frank Gore on an expiring contract.
Week 10 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Over the past two weeks, Frank Gore has 40 touches to Marlon Mack's 23. However, Pittsburgh is top-10 in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. Until the Colts make a concerted effort to see what Marlon Mack can do as a featured back, this is not a player you can start, especially in this matchup.
Week 9 at Houston Texans
The Texans have allowed the second-fewest PPR points to fantasy RBs. The Colts are also 6.5-point underdogs, foreshadowing negative game script potentially. Mack finally got more work last week, playing more than half the snaps, but he was out-touched 20-14 by Frank Gore. For these reasons, Mack is a risky FLEX option in Week 9.
Week 8 at Cincinnati Bengals
Frank Gore's touches and snaps are deteriorating along with the Colts' offense in general, but Marlon Mack only received 9 touches last week. His season-high in snaps last week still make him worth a stash, however, but starting him in Week 8? Not yet. He belongs on your bench against the Bengals unless you are desperate at RB.
Week 7 vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
#FreeMarlonMack. It's finally happening, due to Robert Turbin being out for the season. Mack has been the most efficient Colts RB this season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry and 11 yards per reception. With Turbin out, his volume should increase. The Jaguars rank just 21st in our aFPA vs. RB rankings, but given the Colts' inconsistencies in giving Mack touches, it may be best to wait a week before starting Mack. He could be a sneaky start in Week 7, though.
Week 6 at Tennessee Titans
Marlon Mack faces a Titans defense ranked in the bottom half of the league in our aFPA vs. RB rankings. Mack flashed for 90+ yards on 9 carries last week and he also scored a touchdown, but stubborn Chuck Pagano said this week Mack is not ready for a featured or third-down back role (crazy, I know). That preserves Mack as a boom-or-bust, efficiency required proposition. It's really hard to trust a situation like that.
Week 3 vs. Cleveland Browns
Mack went from 11 touches in Week 1 (including red zone work), to seven touches and negative rushing yardage in Week 2. Even against the lowly Browns, he is not a starting lineup consideration in Week 3; he's a rookie stash behind two unimpressive, old running backs.
Week 2 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Marlon Mack scored once and should have scored twice if not for Chuck Pagano not understanding it might be worth challenging a play that leads to POINTS. Mack is an intriguing stash moving forward with the starter in front of him being the 34-year-old Frank Gore. He's already getting red zone work, which will be more valuable when Andrew Luck returns.
However, the Colts have question marks at three starting offensive line spots this week against a team top-10 in our aFPA vs. RBs rankings. Mack is not a viable starter.
Week 1 at Los Angeles Rams
Frank Gore and Robert Turbin are the primary RBs to start the season for the Colts. Mack is not a fantasy option Week 1.
Fantasy Upside
The fourth-round rookie out of USF, Mack enters a backfield with a chance to earn some time, considering Frank Gore and Robert Turbin both rushed for well under four yards per carry behind an offensive line that was actually first in the league in percentage of runs where the running back was tackled at or behind the line of scrimmage. That indicates it was more the backs' fault than that of the OL. That means Mack could already be better than the two backs ahead of him on the depth chart.
Fantasy Downside
Mack has missed some time in training camp with a shoulder injury, and Chuck Pagano has not been one to roll out rookie running backs early for fear of poor pass protection behind an already bad pass blocking offensive line. That is really what has kept Gore on the field in Indy.
2017 Bottom Line
Mack could be worth a late-round flier in deep leagues, but he likely will go undrafted in your league. He should still definitely be a name you monitor throughout this season.
