Colts on the hunt for wide receivers at NFL Combine

INDIANAPOLIS – There was a time, seemingly not long ago, when the Indianapolis Colts’ offense seemed headed for a return to glory.

With quarterback Andrew Luck leading the way, the Colts surrounded him with T.Y. Hilton, Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener in 2012. A couple of years later, a behemoth named Donte Moncrief showed up and looked like he might be among the finishing touches. Yes, Trent Richardson was Trent Richardson, but the Colts still managed to lead the NFL in passing during his final season on the roster.

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Now, here we sit, just a few short years later, and the Indianapolis offense is screaming for an overhaul. It requires some major renovating, not merely a fresh coat of paint. There is work to be done throughout the unit.

And few areas of the offense are in more need of tender loving care than wide receiver. The Colts have precious little proven talent at this critical position. Granted, Hilton has made the Pro Bowl an annual postseason destination for him. Which is nice and all, but football in 2018 is a spread-out game that often employs three-receiver formations. Can you name who the others would even be right now?

Exactly.

Whether Moncrief, a free agent, will be re-signed is a huge question after consistently disappointing performances. Kamar Aiken is done with his one-year deal and likely won’t be invited back. Chester Rogers battled injuries all last season and still lacks an identity or, frankly, a track record.

All of which brings us to this pivotal 2018 offseason. The Colts must find a way to address this underwhelming position, especially with coach Frank Reich looking to be aggressive on offense as he debuts his new scheme.

For the past several days, the Colts have been knee deep in the NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium, and Indianapolis is on the hunt for wideouts.

No smokescreens here.

“It’ll be a position where we’ll be looking,” General Manager Chris Ballard said.

The Colts, having tens of millions of dollars in salary-cap space, have other options. So, let us first address the baby elephant in the room: Miami Dolphins receiver Jarvis Landry.

The Dolphins have reportedly given his representatives permission to seek a trade. Landry was designated Miami’s franchise player, so he won’t make it to the open market. The Dolphins are motivated because they need the salary-cap relief (they’re over the limit and need to get in compliance by March 14).

The issue is whether a team like the Colts would have the appetite to swing a deal for Landry, especially at a possible $16 million annual price tag. Early indications from inside the organization suggest that answer is an emphatic no. And that shouldn’t surprise you. Landry has had amazing production in one respect, averaging 100 catches over his first four seasons. But he is not and might never be a game-breaker, evidenced by his 8.8 yards-per-catch average in 2017.

For context on Landry, consider that Hilton – who earns an average of $13 million on his current deal – has averaged 1,179 receiving yards in the past three seasons. Over that same span, Landry has averaged 1,093.

Right now, a move to acquire Landry just doesn’t seem likely for the Colts. The solutions at receiver are probably going to have to come from free agency or the draft. Free agency is not exactly flush with options, though Jacksonville’s Allen Robinson and the Rams’ Sammy Watkins might be appealing.

Meanwhile, the draft presents some options, including some with the kind of size the Colts lack. Take, for instance, SMU’s Courtland Sutton, who could enter the equation if he’s still available in the second round. At 6-3 and 218 pounds, he has rare size. He also believes he knows how to use it.

“There’s a lot of benefits to being (6-3), 218 and being able to run really fast,” said Sutton, who had a meeting with the Colts this weekend. “And I try to make sure I’m maximizing that. I watch a lot of guys who do that really well in the NFL right now. So, I get to watch a lot of Julio Jones and I get to watch Larry Fitzgerald do that. … It’s being able to add those qualities that shorter, smaller receivers can’t and making sure that I’m playing to my actual size and not being (6-3) and playing like I’m 6 feet.”

Keep in mind Ballard often emphasizes that he wants his draft picks to have at least a single, distinguishing quality. Sutton lacks top-end speed and athleticism, but his size certainly sets him apart.

Then again, the Colts don't have to acquire receivers with ideal size. With Reich installing an offense similar to that of the Philadelphia Eagles, perhaps he can duplicate their ability to adapt the scheme to the players. This could give Ballard more flexibility in the draft, opening the door to players like Dante Pettis of Washington and Christian Kirk of Texas A&M – possible slot options – in the early to middle rounds.

“What Frank is good at, as a former quarterback, is tailoring what they do schematically to their players and not the other way around,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. “The already have T.Y. Hilton, a smaller, quicker, explosive guy. Are they looking for a bigger body? So, what are they looking for and in what round, etc.? Frank did a great job with Nelson Agholor (in Philadelphia), kicking him inside (into the slot). It just depends.”

How the Colts address the receiver spot might remain a question. Big, small, trade, free agency? Everything needs to be considered.

But let there be no debate on this: The Colts need to remake their receiving unit, and they need to do it now.

Follow Colts Insider Stephen Holder on Twitter: @HolderStephen.