Fantasy Upside
The Colts signed Ryan Grant to a one-year, $5 million contract this offseason after Grant almost ended up with the Ravens (failed physical... allegedly). There's an opportunity to emerge as the No. 2 WR in this Andrew Luck offense. Plus, Grant was impressive on a per target basis last season, ranking 12th among all wideouts with 1.94 PPR points per target.
Fantasy Downside
The downside for Grant is that he will be third in line or worse in the target pecking order behind established Andrew Luck targets T.Y. Hilton and Jack Doyle. There just may not be enough targets to go around for Grant to be a reliable weekly option in redraft leagues.
2018 Bottom Line
Grant is a free pick if you decide you want to take a flier on him. He's mostly going undrafted. Therefore, the reward outweighs the risk. How much of a reward it might actually be is questionable.
Week 16 vs. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are the toughest defense in the league against WRs, based on aFPA. Plus, Ryan Grant has less than 4 targets in six of his last seven games. Do. Not. Start. Him.
Week 15 vs. Arizona Cardinals
Ryan Grant has fewer than 4 targets in five of his past six games. He's not a viable starting option for Week 15.
Week 14 at Los Angeles Chargers
Washington has a below average implied team total in Vegas this week of 20.25 points. The Chargers have also allowed the third-fewest fantasy points to receivers over the past four weeks. Ryan Grant did get 9 targets last week, but that likely was due to a specific matchup his coaches liked, as he didn't crack 4 targets in the four weeks prior to Week 13. That kind of inconsistent usage does not make him a fantasy starter.
Week 13 at Dallas Cowboys
This is not your typical Thursday night game with teams coming off short rest, after Dallas and Washington played on Thanksgiving; however, Ryan Grant is not nearly consistent enough to warrant starting consideration.
Week 11 at New Orleans Saints
Ryan Grant is not a fantasy factor with Jamison Crowder and Josh Doctson healthy.
Week 10 vs. Minnesota Vikings
No Washington wideout is a viable fantasy option in Week 10. That includes Ryan Grant, who hasn't reached 40 yards since Week 1.
Week 9 at Seattle Seahawks
The targets are too widely distributed in Washington at this point to trust any Washington wide receiver. That includes Ryan Grant, who probably should just be left on waivers.
Week 3 vs. Oakland Raiders
Oakland-Washington is projected to be the highest scoring game of Week 3 on Sunday night, with a total of 54.5 points. Washington is the home underdog, which could lead to negative game script and more passing for Cousins, coupled with an implied team total of 25.75 points. The Raiders are bottom-half of the NFL as well in PPR points allowed to fantasy WRs. Grant scored last week but only had two targets. He's, at best, the fourth option in this passing attack and not a reliable starting option.
Week 2 at Los Angeles Rams
With Terrelle Pryor, Jamison Crowder, and Jordan Reed in this offense, there won't be enough targets to go around for weekly dependability from Grant. Keep him out of your lineups.
