Colts 2014 Positional Review: Wide Receiver
By Evan Reller
Nov 23, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) scores a touchdown as Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Dwayne Gratz (27) defends during the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Colts defeated the Jaguars 23-3. Mandatory Credit: Pat Lovell-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Contract: $796,850
Stats: 82 receptions, 1,345 yards, 7 TDs
PFF Grade: +12.0
DVOA: 16.2% (14th) DYAR: 300 (11th)
The Good:
Hilton finished this season with the same number of receptions as he did in 2014, but improved his yards per catch by over three. He also became Andrew Luck‘s safety net this year, a role previously held by Wayne.
The Bad:
Double teams and drops, Hilton struggled with both especially in the playoffs. Hilton had seven drops during the regular season, but added five more in three games during the playoffs. As dynamic a player as he can be, there are times where his concentration fails him and he looks to make a play before corralling the pass.
Double teams killed Hilton in the playoffs and his numbers dropped in each game as teams tightened their coverage of him. He was particularly ineffective against the Patriots as they sold out to keep him in check.
2015 Outlook:
The next step for Hilton will be beating the double teams and stepping into the upper echelon of wide receivers in the NFL. Last season, there were times that he looked startlingly like Marvin Harrison. In fact, Hilton has more receptions and yards through his first three seasons than Harrison did (in fairness, Harrison’s first two seasons didn’t include Peyton Manning).
Expect Hilton to take another step forward and likely push for over 100 receptions in 2015.