LaVon

Brazill

A favorite of Rookie Scouting Portfolio originator Matt Waldman’s, Brazill has 4.47 speed at 5-foot-11, 192 and scored 23 touchdowns in the MAC, 18 as a receiver, four as a punt returner, and one on a reverse. Brazill played both in the slot and out wide at Ohio. Though not a physical receiver, Brazill has a chance because he runs so well and is willing to go over the middle.

Reggie Wayne is locked in on one side, but the opposite receiver spot is wide open. The Colts are giving slot man Austin Collie, oft-injured Donnie Avery and Brazill a look. The Ohio product has 4.47 speed and fits naturally on the outside.

Brittle-as-ever Donnie Avery has missed both preseason games, so Brazill was working as the Colts’ third receiver until Austin Collie went down on Sunday night. Another concussion for Collie could threaten his season, so it’s time to start taking Brazill seriously as a fantasy sleeper. Brazill ran 4.48 at 5-foot-11, 192 at February’s Scouting Combine. A pre-draft favorite of Rotoworld college guru Josh Norris as well as Rookie Scouting Portfolio’s Matt Waldman, Brazill has looked very smooth and pro-ready in August while clearly outplaying fellow rookie T.Y. Hilton. Andrew Luck is obviously ready to play in the league, and his receivers are going to be productive. Brazill could be a starter.

Hilton has been healthy in camp, impressing the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel with “spectacular” speed and hands. Expected to be the primary kick returner, Hilton has looked “sharp” while working with every unit early in camp. This is the first positive report we’ve seen for Hilton; sixth-rounder LaVon Brazill has garnered more early-camp buzz.

Rookie GM Ryan Grigson did some heavy dipping into the smaller-FBS receiver group, grabbing T.Y. Hilton out of Florida International before plucking Brazill, a former Ohio Bobcat. Whereas Hilton projects as a slot receiver with return value, Brazill is more of an outside receiver. Brazill should get a long look at the position opposite Reggie Wayne in training camp.

It’s somewhat surprising that Brazill is ahead of third-rounder T.Y. Hilton, who is considered a more explosive talent on returns. Brazill is also listed directly behind Reggie Wayne as a second-team receiver. He’s drawn more buzz than Hilton early in camp.

Brazill did not see any action with the first-team offense, as the coaches wanted to take a long look at Donnie Avery and, to a lesser extent, Kris Adams. The speedy Brazill has totaled seven receptions for 81 yards this preseason. We still like him as a sleeper, but his depth-chart positioning remains unclear. He definitely played behind Avery and T.Y. Hilton tonight.

The Lions’ secondary somehow let Brazill get behind them with under three minutes left in the game while they were nursing a 12-point lead. Don’t expect it to happen again. Brazill came into this game with nine catches, 136 yards and no touchdowns on the season as the Colts’ No. 4 wideout.

Both of Brazill’s grabs went for over 20 yards. He turned on the jets on his second, sprinting around the entire first line of defense before being forced out of bounds. With just eight catches on the year, however, he’s still not on the fantasy radar, even with Donnie Avery (concussion) questionable for Week 12.

Brazill had just 11 catches for 186 yards as a sixth-round rookie last year. He’ll be the No. 4 wideout once again this season, but there’s some Dynasty appeal here. Wayne will be 35 in November and Darrius Heyward-Bey is working on a one-year contract. The Colts want Brazill to progress into an eventual starter.