The Indianapolis Colts were urged to add a missing piece to their team at the wide receiver position.
The Indianapolis Colts addressed some major needs this offseason, but one of them still has some lingering questions despite already getting attention.
Bleacher Report's Kristopher Knox assigned a move for every NFL team that they still need to make this offseason. For the Colts, Knox suggested their goal ought to be to "add a wide receiver."
"The Indianapolis Colts re-signed big-play receiver Alec Pierce this offseason, but they also traded away Michael Pittman Jr.," Knox wrote. "They didn't draft a receiver before taking Deion Burks in Round 7 and should look to add a veteran before camp.
"That could mean signing a player like Keenan Allen or Stefon Diggs. The Colts should also consider making a play to reunite A.J. Brown with head coach Shane Steichen."
As Knox mentioned, the Colts re-signed Alec Pierce to be their new WR1, but traded away Michael Pittman Jr., who'd held that role on the team for the last several years. The team also traded AD Mitchell midseason, even though he was supposed to be part of their long-term plans.
While the Colts didn't sign a one-for-one replacement for Pittman, the expectation is that expanded roles for Pierce, Josh Downs, and tight end Tyler Warren will absorb most of the void. The Colts will likely also rely on a rotation of Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and Deion Burks at the third receiver spot.
Although the Colts seems to have a plan at the position, there are still valid questions.
Pierce is the newly crowned WR1 but has never finished better than third on the team in pass targets. He even had a career-best 84 last year, but even that number finished fourth.
Downs has been the team's slot receiver since 2023, but will play more often on the outside. He's dealt with some injuries in his career and is coming off his least productive season, but with fewer mouths to feed, Downs should become more of a priority again.
Dec 22, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (2) looks to move past San Francisco 49ers cornerback Darrell Luter Jr. (28) during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Grace Hollars-USA TODAY Network via Imagn ImagesThis will likely be the most significant offensive role Dulin has had to date. His single-season career high in targets is 22, and his high in receptions is 15.
The Colts signed Westbrook-Ikhine to a veteran minimum deal this offseason. While his spot is not guaranteed in a crowded receiver room, his size, downfield ability, and willingness to do the dirty work should keep him involved.
Burks is the ultimate X-factor. As a talent, he was widely considered a top-100 draft pick, but nearly fell out of the draft altogether when the Colts picked him in the seventh round. He's likely to find some sort of role with the team, but how large or small is completely up in the air.
The Colts would be unlikely to trade for a non-essential position like WR3, especially considering they still don't have a first-round pick in next year's draft. If they were to acquire a receiver, it would almost certainly be through free agency, but what does head coach Shane Steichen look for in a receiver?
"I think separation at the top of routes is big for me," Steichen answered recently. "Can they win one-on-one on the outside? Obviously, they’ve got to have great hands, and then depending on their skillset, their body type – are they a slot receiver? Are they an outside receiver? Do they have a feel for zone coverage? If you're in the slot on option routes, whether it be that – the bigger body type guys, being physical at the top of routes is huge for me, and the separation is big, and the explosive ability."
While the pool is made up of players who are quite a bit older, there are some options on the market that the Colts could have some level of interest in, such as Tyreek Hill (recovering from a knee injury), Deebo Samuel, Stefon Diggs, Brandin Cooks, Jahan Dotson, and Gabriel Davis.
