The red zone in the NFL is where fantasy football matchups are won and lost and dynasty value is mined. Championships are built, or torn down, as a team marches towards the end zone. Here is a breakdown of the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans red zone turnover from 2014 and the changes in store for 2015:
Houston
Biggest 2014 Departure
Andre Johnson, 26 opportunities
2015 Impact
Johnson led the team through the air by a hefty margin inside the 20-yard-line. His 26 targets doubled up DeAndre Hopkins and accounted for nearly half the receiver-tight end targets in the red zone on the season. Hopkins, after 11 and 13 red zone looks in his first two NFL seasons, stands to surge closer to 20 – or beyond – in Year 3. Cecil Shorts was added in free agency plus Jaelen Strong was a Day 2 pick in 2015. While Shorts is a decent secondary option, neither will challenge Hopkins in the red zone this season. C.J. Fiedorowicz has some matchup TE2 appeal, but temper expectations in terms of a true weekly starter-type breakout coming. Houston’s quarterback play will be a limiting element overall and I would not project more than 50-60 red zone targets at best in 2015.
