Ahmad Bradshaw, RB, Ind.
BALLER MOVE: Add in 12-Team Leagues
OWNED IN: 16% of leagues.
ANALYSIS: It only seems as though Ahmad Bradshaw has been around since the Jim Fassel era. In reality, he's just 29. He's also back with the Colts after testing free agency and enduring a one-game suspension for marijuana possession.
The fact no teams scooped him up before Indy on Oct. 14 is a little baffling. He's a proven veteran, with a pair of 1,000-yard seasons under his belt and a nose for the goal line. Furthermore, Bradshaw is an excellent receiver out of the backfield. He showed fine chemistry with Andrew Luck last year, catching 38 passes and six touchdowns.
While 32-year-old Frank Gore continues get the majority of the work in the struggling Colts' attack, Bradshaw has already leaped Zurlon Tipton and Josh Robinson for the No. 2 role. He was only called on for one carry and two targets in the passing game compared to Gore's nine and eight, respectively, last week in a bad home loss to New Orleans. But, if the Colts continue their listless play on defense, there will be a lot of check-down passes to go around as Indy goes into catch-up mode.
Expect Bradshaw's role to continue to grow as he gets back into football shape. Gore's struggles in the Red Zone (1.1 ypc) may be a sign that Father Time is knocking on the door. He can't be expected to be any fresher as the year wears on. If you need a flex in deeper leagues and want to stay ahead of the herd, don't risk the wait-and-see approach here. Grab Bradshaw, who has real RB2 potential if Gore goes down.
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