Jim O’Connor-USA TODAY Sports
Last week, the Indianapolis Colts found a wide receiver in NFL free agency, by signing former New York Giant, Hakeem Nicks. Nicks is one of the biggest free agent wideouts that the Colts have ever brought in, but was he the right choice?
This class of free agents was especially heavy with receivers. With so many teams trying to load up on spread formations, each season should bring a similar crop of receivers in free agency. The Colts made a good move by bringing in the former target of QB – Eli Manning, but there were many other options that could have clicked just as well, if not better.
Nicks, a two-time super Bowl champion, was one of Manning’s top targets. Although Nicks has totaled 311 receptions and 27 touchdowns in his five-year career, he has never played a full season. Nicks has only broke 1,000 yards twice, and had no touchdowns last season.
Many of the top free agent wideouts had been signed prior to Indianapolis picking up Nicks, but there are still several prospects remaining on the market. James Jones, former wideout for the Green Bay Packers, is still looking for work. Several former receivers of the New Orleans Saints, like Lance Moore and Robert Meachem, remain unsigned. Versatile receiver Devin Hester remains a free agent, and could boost a fairly weak Indianapolis return game, as well.
Indianapolis signed Hakeem Nicks to a one-year contract, for $3.975 million, which is a fairly low-risk addition. If he can stay healthy, it would be hard to imagine that the former NFL champion would not have a more productive season than the free agent flop that was WR – Darrius Heyward-Bey last year. Regardless of who remains in the free agent pool, the Indianapolis receiving roster looks pretty loaded on paper.