As the offseason begins for the Indianapolis Colts, we will begin a series of positional reviews, taking a look back at the 2020 campaign. We continue here with the wide receiver position.
Starters: T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal, Michael Pittman Jr.
Depth: Ashton Dulin, Parris Campbell (IR), Daurice Fountain, Dezmon Patmon, DeMichael Harris
Position Overview
The Colts didn’t make major changes to the wide receiver position. They let Devin Funchess walk in free agency and added Pittman Jr. in the draft with the No. 34 overall pick. The production with the group was fine but ultimately underwhelming.
They didn’t have a wide receiver record more than 56 receptions, 770 yards or five touchdowns.
A new WR1?
While Hilton was certainly the top priority for opposing defenses given the way they rolled coverage his way, the Colts may have a new WR1 in Pittman Jr., who flashed some of that spark throughout the season. Though his season hit a bit of a rough patch when he suffered a serious leg injury, the USC product still showed promise.
It remains to be seen what will happen with Hilton in free agency, but the Colts are confident in what Pittman Jr. brings to the table even if that means he’s the alpha dog in the passing game next season and beyond.
Hilton’s future in question
The Colts have many decisions to make this offseason. What to do with Hilton is among them. He still has game left enough for a short contract to finish his career with the only team he’s ever played for but the money has to be right in order for him to return.
With Pittman Jr. expected to take a bigger step in 2021, Hilton’s future with the Colts is unclear.
Offseason preview
The Colts should be heavily involved in the wide receiver market regardless of what happens with Hilton. There are plenty of intriguing options for the Colts in free agency and in the 2021 NFL draft so this will certainly be a position to keep an eye on in terms of where Indy might make some moves.
