T.Y. Hilton is Right, the Colts Have Three Number Ones
By Evan Reller
The Colts are positively loaded at wide receiver. The trio of Reggie Wayne, Hakeem Nicks and T.Y. Hilton could be the one of the best in the entire NFL.
Hilton went so far as to say that there are “three number one wideouts” on the roster. He was asked if he should be considered on that list and his response was “without a doubt” and that “all you have to do is turn on the film and watch me play.”
He’s certainly not wrong either. The Colts currently have three players on the roster who have all been their team’s leading receiver at some point in their career.
Hilton led the Colts in 2013. He had 82 receptions and 1,083 yards receiving. Nicks led the Giants in receiving back in 2010 with 79 receptions for 1,052 yards.
And Wayne, well, he led the Colts in receiving from 2007 through 2012, and like would have done so again in 2013 were it not for the ACL injury. That’s six seasons as the team’s leading receiver.
So from a purely statistical standpoint, the Colts do in fact have three number one wideouts.
While Nicks will likely be the third man on the depth chart, he is already an infinitely better player than Darrius Heyward-Bey from last season. Simply catching the ball is required for the position and Nicks has shown he can at least do that.
Hilton is on pace for a very big year and if training camp is any indication, he’ll be Andrew Luck‘s favorite target all year long. He had three receptions on the Colts opening drive against the Jets last Thursday. In camp, he is almost always Luck’s primary receiver.
Even behind the big three are a number of interesting players. Rookie Donte Moncrief has shown that he could come in and make an impact right away. Griff Whalen still has incredibly reliable hands and looks sharper with his route running and somehow faster.
Da’Rick Rogers will be a great option for the Colts if they need someone to run a go route. He’s dangerous in a straight line, but is still very sloppy when making cuts.
The Colts will have some difficult decisions when it comes to which backup receivers to cut. Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton can sleep soundly knowing he can put three dangerous receiving threats on the field and that’s just one facet of the team’s offense.