With immense salary cap space and a massive need at the position, the Indianapolis Colts could very well find their way into the wide receiver market once free agency officially opens.
The depth in the market isn’t all that strong, and there are plenty of risks to take with adding any one of the options. But the Colts need to begin investing in higher-end talent in the room. Signing a wide receiver in free agency won’t stop them from drafting one, either.
As free agency approaches next week, here are seven wide receivers the Colts should consider signing:
Amari Cooper | Dallas Cowboys | Age: 25
We won’t know the status of Cooper likely until Monday of next week, which is the deadline for teams to submit the franchise and transition tags. As the current CBA goes, teams can use both in the same offseason—something that wasn’t allowed in the past. This means the Cowboys can franchise tag Dak Prescott and transition tag Cooper, keeping both off the market.
>>>Amari Cooper free agency profile<<<
If Cooper does hit the market, the Colts shouldn’t be afraid to lead the negotiations. Though he’s been inconsistent at times, Cooper presents the Colts with an option to be the WR1 when T.Y. Hilton leaves, which could be as early as the 2021 season.
Cooper’s talent is through the roof. He’s an extremely polished route runner and is coming off of his best year yet. The Colts shouldn’t hesitate if he hits the market.
A.J. Green | Cincinnati Bengals | Age: 31
Before getting into this, it is likely that Green gets the franchise tag from the Bengals. With that, he’s projected to make $18 million on the one-year contract, which is much more than the Colts should be willing to pay for Green. The Bengals will have rookie quarterback Joe Burrow getting used to the league, so he will need a stud wide receiver.
>>>A.J. Green free agency profile<<<
That said, if something happens and Green hits the market, the Colts should be interested. There are concerns with Green’s health. He missed the second half of 2018 and all of 2019. He’s entering the age where bigger wide receivers decline more quickly. But Green still showed in 2018 that he was playing at an elite level.
If the injury isn’t as serious as thought and Green can be ready to go and relatively normal, the Colts should be interested.
Emmanuel Sanders | San Francisco 49ers | Age: 32
Even at his age, Sanders is still an explosive and reliable wide receiver over the middle. The Colts need help on the outside but if they do intend to bring in a rookie quarterback, having a safety net like Sanders to go along with T.Y. Hilton makes life much easier.
>>>Emmanuel Sanders free agency profile<<<
Sanders has the versatility to work both on the outside and in the slot, which works with Frank Reich’s scheme. There’s a good chance he hits the market and if he does, he should have no shortage of suitors. Even while switching teams in the middle of 2019, Sanders caught 66 passes for 869 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 13.2 yards per reception.
Sanders isn’t the most elite weapon anymore, but he can still make big plays and would be a reliable target for whoever is under center.
Robby Anderson | New York Jets | Age: 26
The Colts like to stress speed on the offensive side of the ball and while T.Y. Hilton still has the ability to take the top off of a defense, he’s not used as a true deep threat. That’s where Anderson can come in. With the innate ability to stretch the field, Anderson gives the Colts a solid option downfield.
>>>Robby Anderson free agency profile<<<
Anderson may be a little undersized for the position in terms of strength, but he has the length and speed to win vertically on the outside. Whether its Jacoby Brissett under center or a rookie from the 2020 NFL draft, Anderson would be a benefit to the Colts quarterback.
The only problem might be the price. Anderson is likely to get overpaid on the market. Even with Chris Ballard open up the checkbook more, it’s isn’t clear how they value Anderson. If his price isn’t too outlandish, though, he should certainly be in the conversation.
Devin Funchess | Indianapolis Colts | Age: 25
Things didn’t go quite as planned for the Colts and Funchess when he signed a one-year deal during the 2019 offseason. He went on to play just three quarters in Week 1 before breaking his collarbone, an injury that wound up keeping him out the entire season.
Though that injury is certainly a concern, especially with how long it took to heal, the Colts should consider bringing Funchess back into the mix on another one-year deal. The sheer need at the position warrants a reunion, and the Colts wouldn’t have to pay anything near the top market.
There is still intrigue for Funchess within the Colts offense as long as his shoulder isn’t permanently damaged.
Breshad Perriman | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | Age: 26
The embattled wide receiver hits the open market once again after an encouraging season working with Bruce Arians and his vertical offense. That is part of the reason why Perriman had so much success while also being paired with Jameis Winston doesn’t hurt either.
>>>Breshad Perriman free agency profile<<<
Perriman was a complementary piece in the Bucs wide receiver room, but he stepped up when Mike Evans went down with an injury. He finished the season catching 36 passes for 645 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 17.9 yards per reception. The big-play ability is still there.
Even with how much risk there will be in signing Perriman, he won’t be viewed as the WR1. He might not even be viewed as the WR2 depending on how the rest of the offseason goes. But signing him to a one or even two-year deal shouldn’t be dismissed out of hand by the Colts.
Rashard Higgins | Cleveland Browns | Age: 25
If there is one free-agent wide receiver that fits what Chris Ballard targets, it is Higgins. Though Ballard says he’s open to adding a bigger name in the market, don’t be surprised if Higgins is the player they target. He would be a low-risk, high-upside play for Ballard.
>>>Rashard Higgins free agency profile<<<
Getting lost in the circus that was the Browns in 2019, Higgins rarely saw time on the field following the trade for Odell Beckham Jr. Higgins had just 11 targets in 2019 after his career year in 2018 working with Baker Mayfield. A change of scenery is certainly in the cards for the former fifth-round pick.
Higgins would be a bargain for the Colts, but he’s proven to be a solid WR2 when needed. He would be a solid addition to the depth of the room without carrying the risk that would come with signing a big contract.
