All WR projections   •  Current WR rankings   •   All IND projections   •  IND team report   •  IND Stats

WR Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis Colts

HT: 6-0, WT: 195, Born: 9-18-1984, College: Ohio State, Drafted: Round 1, Pick 32

2008 Projections

Average draft position

Current as of June 28th. [Full ADP list]

Overall: C Taylor (84), B Berrian (85), Anthony Gonzalez (86), J Walker (87), T Heap (88)
Position: J Galloway (82-WR31), B Berrian (85-WR32), Anthony Gonzalez (86 - WR33), J Walker (87-WR34), B Engram (91-WR35)
Click here for a comparison of these players.

Best Case

Gonzalez figures to be the slot receiver for the Colts this season, a role that Brandon Stokley translated into fantasy stardom in 2004. Gonzalez's quickness and run-after-the-catch ability will suit him well in that position, and any receiver in a Peyton Manning-led offense can put up big numbers.

Worst Case

Gonzalez started nine games last season, but ended up as only the No. 61 fantasy WR. If he is relegated to the WR3 role this season, his targets and receptions could decline, leaving him with very little fantasy value.

Outlook

The Colts' third WR will typically get as many looks as most teams' second WR. While he has the potential to be more, Gonzalez will most likely be a strong WR4 in twelve-team leagues.

Relevant Articles

Why he is undervalued

Sigmund Bloom - The Colts seemed to look to the future when Marvin Harrison did not return from his knee injury - even for the playoffs - and so should you. Anthony Gonzalez was one of the best fantasy WRs in the league down the stretch, and he should be even more comfortable in his second year. Gonzalez could easily be a WR1 you can get in the 6th or 7th if Harrison can't find that competitive fire this offseason.

Marc Faletti - Marvin Harrison isn't gone yet, but with possible legal issues and health concerns, is anyone feeling confident he'll take the majority of snaps at his position this year? Even if Gonzalez only starts a handful of times in 2008, he's shown he can go off for 100 yards when he does. Colts' first rounders don't seem to miss, and if Harrison struggles to get on the field Anthony Gonzalez could catch 80+ balls.

Jeff Haseley - Even if Marvin Harrison somehow returns to form, which just doesn't seem possible, given his struggles last season with his knee, Gonzalez should see more action in the offense in 2008. Gonzalez came on late last season with at least four receptions in four of his last six games, including the Playoffs. He had 23 receptions in those four games. He's primed for a breakout season. A month ago he was ranked as the 29th WR. Now he's the 33rd? That doesn't make sense, but it means his value will be greater when he does produce.

David Yudkin - If Marvin Harrison is out of the picture in IND due to health, retirement, or legal issues, then Gonzalez's value will shoot way up. He filled in quite admirably with Harrison out of the line up for much of the 2007 season. He posted 26-448-4 over his final six games (including the playoffs), which would project to approximately 70-1200-10 over a full season.

Why he is overvalued

Anthony Borbely - Gonzalez got off to a slow start last year in his rookie season, but he had 26 catches for 448 yards and 4 TDs in his last 8 games. The return of Marvin Harrison could limit his numbers and that makes WR33 a bit optimistic. I would much rather select a player who is a guaranteed starter for his NFL team as WR33.

Aaron Rudnicki - Gonzalez looked impressive at times last year but his value will depend heavily on what happens with Marvin Harrison, who missed almost the entire season last year with injuries. If Harrison can return to health as expected, Gonzalez will have a hard time outperforming him and many other WRs being drafted later.

2008 Schedule

2007 Game Summaries

Week 1 - In his first game as pro, Gonzalez only had one pass thrown his way and it went for an incompletion.

Week 2 - Rookie Gonzalez made the first catch of his career during the Colts' drive at the end of the first half. He held on to the ball despite being in the middle of some tight double coverage. His only other two receptions came during that same drive. He was not targeted in the second half.

Week 3 - Gonzalez was targeted five times, catching two, all in the first half. He caught Manning's first pass of the game for a 15 yard gain, and was open on his second reception. He dropped one pass that was catchable, and had another that bounced off of his hands that was thrown into coverage.

Week 4 - Gonzalez managed 19 yards on one reception, and was not able to generate more offense in Marvin Harrison's absence in the second half. As a first round draft choice, expectations might be higher for Gonzalez, but Tony Dungy seems to have Gonzalez locked in as only a slot receiver this year.

Week 5 - Gonzalez saw more playing time because Harrison sat out, and he did not disappoint. He caught all seven balls thrown his way for 71 yards, often being able to make the first defender miss to get extra yards.

Week 7 - Gonzalez got on the field at least, especially in the second half, but Manning did not throw a pass his way.

Week 8 - Going into the game it seemed like Gonzalez was going to see a lot more attention. He was targeted just two times in the game and both of them were late in the first half. Gonzalez caught just one pass for 16 yards.

Week 9 - Gonzalez got the start with the injury to WR Marvin Harrison, but unfortunately was injured on the first play of the game, dislocating his left thumb. His status for next week is unknown at this point.

Week 11 - Gonzalez was active, but did not play due to injury.

Week 12 - Gonzalez stretched the Falcons' defense. Manning showed he had faith in Gonzalez, seen by his eight targets. Gonzalez would have caught one of the non-catch targets, but pass interference was committed on a short route. He caught passes of 35, 32, 13, 12, 10, and 3 yards. He caught five first down passes and required quite a bit of attention from the Falcons' secondary.

Week 13 - Gonzalez had varying experiences on the field in this game. He was able to get a pass interference call on a defender on one play, caught a touchdown in the end zone that was called back due to offensive pass interference on him, and showed excellent running after the catch in traffic on his only reception that ended just outside the end zone.

Week 14 - Gonzalez had his best game yet as a professional. Announcer John Madden mentioned on the NBC broadcast that Gonzalez suggested to Peyton Manning that he run more deep routes, which is exactly what happened. Manning found Gonzalez open deep down the right side for two touchdowns (of 57 and 40 yards). Gonzalez led the team in targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns.

Week 15 - The Ohio State rookie continued to impress. He led the Colts with seven balls for 86 yards and scored their only offensive touchdown. His quickness makes him an inviting target when he is lined up in the slot and Manning seemed comfortable throwing to him in any situation.

Week 16 - Gonzalez caught two early passes but left the game soon after with an apparent foot injury. Unlike Joseph Addai (who was injured but remained on the sidelines), Gonzalez wasn't visible in any of the shots of the Indianapolis sideline. With HC Tony Dungy already planning on resting most of his starters in Week 17, it's highly unlikely that Gonzalez would see any action at all coming off an injury (even if it turns out to be minor).

Week 19 - Gonzalez wasn't involved a ton, but he was involved in one of the biggest plays of the game. On a play that could have haunted Charger fans for years, Gonzalez got behind CB Drayton Florence on a deep route down the sideline. The Colts picked up the blitz beautifully and Peyton Manning lofted a bomb down the sideline. S Marlon McCree was late in getting over and his hit on Gonzalez only served to slightly knock him off course. Somehow, Gonzalez maintained possession while staying inbounds by a matter of inches, and took off the rest of the way to the end zone for a 55 yard touchdown. San Diego HC Norv Turner challenged the call, mistakenly believing Gonzalez had stepped on the sideline, but replays confirmed that he stayed in the entire time by a few blades of grass.