As the Indianapolis Colts head into the 2025 season in need of competition being added throughout the roster, one position group that GM Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen have to be feeling good about is wide receiver.
On this Colts’ team, there was no Ja’Marr Chase 1,700-yard season, there was no 1,200-yard year like Jerry Jeudy had, or even a 1,000-yard performance like we saw from AJ Brown and 21 other receivers.
However, there was depth, and there is something to be said for having strength in numbers. The Colts were the only team in the NFL to finish the 2024 season with three receivers eclipsing the 800-yard mark, according to PFF, and this unit do so with inconsistent quarterback play.
Michael Pittman would fight through a fractured back throughout the season and provided, as always, an often steady presence in the offense, frequently operating within the short to intermediates parts of the field.
Downs, meanwhile, was a go-to option in the passing game and played a key role in the Colts’ ability to pick up first downs with a team-high 40 receptions that moved the chains. He was also one of the most productive slot receivers in the game.
Then there is Pierce, who put together a breakout year in his third NFL season, leading the team in receiving yards with 824 and touchdowns with seven. Pierce led the entire NFL in yards per catch as well, while being one of the game’s best downfield threats in 2024.
As we look ahead to 2025, all three players remain under contract and not to be forgotten about in that room was 2024 rookie AD Mitchell,
As Ballard mentioned in his end of season press conference, more consistency from Mitchell is needed. However, what was evident during his first season was his ability to create separation with that combination of athleticism and route running that he possesses.
If a a high-upside second-year player of Mitchell’s caliber is your fourth option, then you’ve built up a quality wide receiver room.
Like any position, it wasn’t perfect, there were dropped passes, miscommunications, and miss-timed routes, but the overall production speaks for itself.
I recently highlighted all of the positions that the Colts could justify adding to this offseason as Ballard looks to bolster the competition, but not on that list was the wide receiver position.