Colts Still Favorites to Sign CFL Star Duron Carter

According to NFLDraftScout’s Matt Miller, the Indianapolis Colts remain the heavy favorites to sign 23 year old CFL star wideout Duron Carter. Of course, Carter is most famous for being the son of NFL Hall of Fame wideout Cris Carter. The Colts were seen as favorites earlier this season, and it looks as though that still remains the case per Miller:

At 6’5″, 205 pounds, the younger Carter has never lacked in natural ability. Rather, it’s been maturity issues that have kept him out of the NFL until possibly now. According to CBS NFL Insider Jason La Canfora:

"“It took a series of wasted opportunities for Carter to end up in Montreal. A prized prospect out of Ft. Lauderdale, rated as one of the top 10 receivers in the country, he attended Alabama and Florida Atlantic but never played there, though he did play briefly at Ohio State as well as a community college. He was ruled academically ineligible several times and was suspended for spring practice one year while at Alabama. His off-field issues resulted in him not being drafted in 2013, and after a few NFL tryouts he signed a two-year contract with Montreal, a perennial contender in the CFL that has developed many NFL players over the years (former Montreal coach Marc Trestman now coaches the Bears and former NFL standout Chad Johnson is one of Carter’s teammates on the team).”"

Teams now believe Carter has matured, and he has the production to go along with it. With the CFL’s Montreal Alouettes, Carter finished 11th in the league with 1,030 receiving yards, in addition to his 75 catches and 7 touchdowns. He averaged a whopping 19 yards per catch on the season.

Jun 26, 2014; Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Duron Carter poses for a photo. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Colts’ GM Ryan Grigson has never been shy on taking chances on talented players from anywhere and everywhere. He has had prior success with former CFL players, most notably in starting linebacker Jerrell Freeman. However, he’s also added back-up players in the past as well like Henoc Muamba (CFL) and Daniel Adongo (Kenya Rugby).

With Reggie Wayne in the last year of his contract and possibly retiring at season’s end, the Colts could have some openings on their wide receiver depth chart for larger roles. While promising rookie Donte Moncrief figures to have a bigger role next season, there’s a strong possibility that veteran Hakeem Nicks also does not return, who is only on a 1-year “prove it” deal.

The Colts know that T.Y. Hilton and Moncrief will be back next season in presumed large roles, but beyond them, there’s quite a bit of question marks at wide receiver. If signed, Carter could very well end up as the favorite for the #3 or #4 wideout job on the depth chart, especially given the limited wide receiver free agent options in this year’s approaching free agency.

According to Miller, Carter will have private meetings set up with teams for next week. Until then, Colts’ fans will just have to wait and see.