Boyd: Colts could consider Keenan Allen

It looks like Ladd McConkey could avoid the late-summer Keenan Allen rug pull. It’s good news for McConkey as new Chargers OC Mike McDaniel plans to get the wideout more short-area looks in 2026 — targets Allen might have soaked up if he had returned to LA. As recently as late May, Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said he had not “closed the door” on bringing Allen back for the 2026 season. McConkey, who by many measures was unlucky in 2025, has WR1 upside in McDaniel’s offense.

He cautions that there’s still a possibility the Ravens address the position late in free agency, as Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, and DeAndre Hopkins remain available. Still, he has the experience edge over the two rookie receivers and barring an injury stash situation it’s hard to understand the Ravens not keeping two players they just drafted. Considering Lamar Jackson’s history and the potential upside in Declan Doyle’s offense, Walker is an interesting buy in fantasy at this point — it’s just hard to make the case that he’s got a real floor.

Speaking on the Up and Adams show, Hortiz said he has spoken with Allen’s representation this offseason. For now, Hortiz noted that the team is letting their younger talent grow and develop throughout the offseason program. After a down year in Chicago, Allen returned to form upon reuniting with Justin Herbert in 2025, posting an 81-777-4 receiving line with far better efficiency metrics. If Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh don’t think their receiver room is complete through OTAs and minicamp, Allen could be back in a Chargers uniform by the time training camp rolls around.

“I wouldn’t say the room is complete,” he added. The Athletic’s Daniel Popper also mentioned Jauan Jennings, Deebo Samuel, and Tyreek Hill as “unsigned veteran receivers with scheme familiarity” for new OC Mike McDaniel. Fantasy managers reliant on Ladd McConkey will want the Chargers to avoid a reunion with Allen, as they both tend to win in the same areas of the field. McConkey, of course, watched his fantasy stock suffer last year with Allen in the fold.

Diggs is perhaps the biggest-name player still available in free agency, and Pelissero groups him with Deebo Samuel, DeAndre Hopkins, and Keenan Allen as wideouts who are waiting on the outskirts and probably can’t do better than a one-year, $5 million-type contract at this point. Pelissero points to the compensatory picks formula and notes that interest in these players may pick up closer to the draft.

Allen operated as Justin Herbert’s top target earner against the Patriots, just like he did all season long. The 33-year-old wide receiver successfully supplanted youngster, Ladd McConkey, as the team’s No. 1 wide receiver after returning from a one-off campaign with the Bears in 2024. Allen caught 81-of-118 targets for 777 yards and four touchdowns. He finished as the half-PPR WR33 on the year, but his productivity notably decreased as the season progressed. After finishing as the WR17 or better in Weeks 1-3, he finished inside the position’s top 36 just three times in Weeks 4-18. Allen is a free agent this offseason. Should the Chargers re-sign him, he would warrant FLEX treatment in 2026 drafts.

The Chargers seemingly built their passing game plans around Allen’s contract incentives. He needed six catches for $750,000 and nine receiving yards for $250,000. Chargers QB Trey Lance targeted him early and often, notably targeting Allen five times on their final drive before halftime. Allen earned nearly all of his targets on quick-hitting routes, though Lance did give him one errant downfield opportunity on the first drive after half. Allen is a WR4/FLEX against the Patriots.

Allen has disappointed for some time. This week is no different. He contributed a costly drop on third down, leading to a punt on the Chargers’ third drive. It was also the Chargers’ third punt of the day. Allen later failed to secure a back-shoulder pass in the end zone from 10 yards out, late in the game. He should not be in re-draft lineups next week against the Broncos.

Allen has not scored or gone past seven targets since Week 7, over that span he has given you: 44, 41, 19, 53, 30, 22, 26, and now 44 yards. He remains a respectable real-life player, but this fantasy role is only an Aspirational PPR Scam. He’d be tough to trust against the Texans in Week 17.

Allen led the Chargers in targets in another run-heavy day for Greg Roman’s offense. Allen saw an uptick in playing time with Quentin Johnston (groin) sidelined. Five catches is the most Allen has had in a game since mid-October, when his playing time began to dwindle. Allen next week against the Cowboys will have some flex viability in larger PPR formats, though he would be somewhat touchdown reliant without much target volume to go around.