Sleeper Watch

If you drafted Indianapolis tight end Ben Hartsock in the hope that he would post Marcus Pollard-esque numbers playing alongside Dallas Clark, it might be time to think again. In the Colts’ season-opening 24-7 victory in Baltimore, it wasn’t Hartsock who stepped up when Clark was on the shelf following a concussion, but Ben Utecht, an unknown quantity to most football fans.

Undrafted out of Minnesota, Utecht spent his 2004 rookie season on the physically unable to perform list. He got his first taste of NFL action on Sunday night, and while he caught just one pass, he made it count, finding the end zone for a 26-yard score in the third quarter to put the Colts up 17-0.

If Clark winds up missing further time, Utecht could turn into an interesting fantasy option playing in the Colts’ high-flying offense, particularly with the team scheduled to face several far less daunting defenses than Baltimore in the weeks ahead. Even when Clark returns, Indianapolis may well continue to employ the two-TE sets the team utilized so effectively in the past, giving Utecht value even as the number two tight end.

In shallow leagues, it’s probably too early to expend a roster spot on Utecht at this point unless you’re desperate for TE help (or already planning ahead for your starter’s bye), but keep an eye on this situation. In deeper leagues, he might already be worth a flyer.