Colts 2014 Positional Review: Wide Receiver
By Evan Reller
Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) catches a pass for a touchdown against Cincinnati Bengals strong safety George Iloka (43) during the third quarter in the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
2015 Contract: $660,880
Stats: 32 receptions, 444 yards, 3 TDs
PFF Grade: +2.9
DVOA: -0.4% DYAR: 46 (Among receivers with 1-49 passes)
The Good:
Moncrief shows a lot of potential as a big, deep threat receiver. His best outing came against the Steelers (seven receptions for 113 yards and a touchdown) and Washington (three receptions 134 yards and two touchdowns). Those two game show his versatility with his ability to make a few game changing plays or picking the opposing defense apart through volume receptions.
It took some time for Moncrief to see the field and his snaps slowly rose over the course of the year as he eventually replaced Nicks in the lineup. Still, Moncrief only saw the field about half the time that Wayne or Hilton did (as is expected from the third option).
The Bad:
Moncrief was still a rookie and there was a learning curve. The Colts seemed insistent on using Nicks over him for awhile, but that eventually stopped happening.
Moncrief struggled to get open in the playoffs and has a fair amount to learn about beating coverage. But he was hardly alone when it came to getting open in the postseason.
2015 Outlook:
Moncrief rookie season was admittedly better than that of Wayne’s (although Wayne only appeared in 13 games). If Wayne does retire, Moncrief moves into the number two receiver role and we’ll see his number go up in his second season (if only because he’ll be targeted more often and see the field more often).
Given his productivity as the third, fourth, or even fifth options at times Moncrief has a bright future with the Colts.