PHOENIX -- Andrew Luck has established himself as one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL -- in Fantasy and reality. T.Y. Hilton is an emerging star receiver, and the Colts have a solid tight end duo in Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener.

But there's been some turnover at running back and receiver, and Colts coach Chuck Pagano talked about some of his new and emerging players at the NFL Owners Meetings on Tuesday. The Colts added Frank Gore, Andre Johnson and Duron Carter as free agents this offseason, and Pagano is expecting second-year receiver Donte Moncrief to make more plays this year.

Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw are gone, and the Colts also have to replace Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks. Fantasy owners are definitely intrigued by what has happened in Indianapolis already this offseason.

Let's start with Gore, who leaves the 49ers after 10 seasons. He'll be 32 when the season starts, but Pagano still has high expectations for his new running back.

"There's a lot of things to like about Frank," Pagano told me. "He's a tough runner. He's smart. He loves football. He has great passion for the game. He's a great leader. He brings great toughness and the right mindset. He's always moving forward and gains positive yards and you get yards after contact. He's an every-down back. He can pass protect and catch the ball out of the backfield. He's a solid, solid back that still has a lot left in the tank. He's going to help us, big time."

The two things that jump out from what Pagano said are Gore being an every-down back and his ability to catch the ball. Gore only averaged 18 catches a year the past three seasons, but Pagano is probably looking for the running back who had at least 45 catches in four of his first six years. An increase in receptions will help his Fantasy value dramatically.

And you would expect a reduced workload for Gore at his age, but Pagano has every intention to use Gore as much as he can -- within reason.

"Any time anybody starts getting up there in age you have concerns about durability and wear and tear," Pagano said. "It's a long season and we all know that. We'll be smart in how we handle Frank and the other guys that are 30-plus and do a great job of managing them throughout the week. The whole goal is to get him to Sunday and keep him fresh."

Despite his age and wear and tear, I like Gore as a No. 2 running back worth drafting in Round 4.

As for Johnson, Pagano also doesn't expect him to slow down despite this being his 13th season in the NFL. Pagano said Johnson, 34, should benefit from playing with Luck, who is easily the best quarterback he's had in his career.

"I think he'll probably be playing with a chip on his shoulder as well," Pagano said of Johnson, who was cut by Houston. "Obviously it doesn't hurt having the guy that's under center
throwing to him. I think he fully realizes that."

Johnson is coming off a down year with 85 catches, 936 yards and three touchdowns. If his touchdown total can rise, his Fantasy value would skyrocket. I still consider Johnson a low-end No. 2 antasy receiver worth drafting in Round 6.

The addition of Johnson lowers the value for Moncrief and Carter. Moncrief could still post quality stats, but he was a potential stud before Johnson signed. Still, Pagano, as you would expect, has high expectations. Moncrief is worth a mid-round pick in the majority of leagues.

"Absolutely. This guy can make plays," Pagano said. "He's big, he's fast and can stretch the defense. It's a learning process. He's going to be better in Year 2 than he was in Year 1. He's going to have more opportunities. He's a competitive guy. He's not afraid of any challenge. ... He'll go back and study all that tape and see what people did to him. He's got such a high ceiling, so much room for improvement. The sky's the limit for him."

As for Carter, he has a lot to prove after playing in the CFL. The son of Cris Carter, he could still make a Fantasy impact in deeper leagues, but he'll be the No. 4 receiver and is also behind Allen and Fleener for targets.

Carter isn't worth drafting in most formats.

"Duron hasn't played a snap for us or anybody in the NFL," Pagano said. "We're getting a big, athletic guy that has the blood lines. He's going to have the opportunity to come in and compete. We're all excited to see him get in our building and go to work."