Young Receivers Should Shine for Indianapolis Colts

In the 2012 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts began a new chapter in their franchise by drafting quarterback Andrew Luck with the number one overall pick. In the subsequent rounds, the Colts built around Luck in unprecedented fashion, by adding no less than four receivers to work with the rookie signal caller. With this abundance of talent around him, Luck should have a myriad of weapons at his disposal for years to come.

With the season-ending injury to Austin Collie, there will be a starting spot open on the Indianapolis offense. Rookie wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazil, and rookie tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener will all have the option for more passes to go their way. Both Brazil and Hilton have shined at times. Brazil caught a long bomb touchdown from Luck on his first-ever pass as a pro in the first game of this preseason, but he has only caught one pass in the first three games of the regular season. Hilton had a great game this past Sunday, in a losing effort against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Hilton only caught one pass in the first two games of the season, but had four catches for 113 yards and a touchdown against the Jaguars. Fleener and Allen, the Colts’ second and third round draft picks, have been less than impressive so far. In their defense, the rookie tight ends have been handcuffed to pass protection a lot, due to suspect offensive line play. Both players have only 14 catches combined this season. Allen did score in week two, on a three-yard pass, for his only catch of the game.

These young receivers will have time to grow and gel with Andrew Luck, and could learn a lot from veteran wide outs Reggie Wayne and Donny Avery. Now that another starting spot is open, which of these players will step up and step into the spotlight for this young team?