The Indianapolis Colts are in the market for a number of players this offseason. Most of the Colts needs are on the defensive side of the ball, but the team could also use help at wide receiver.
We’ve seen the Colts clear a fair amount of cap space, all but assuring that they will be active in free agency. Indianapolis isn’t alone when it comes to cutting players for savings.
The Chicago Bears are also looking to clear space and one of those cap casualties could be wide receiver Brandon Marshall. It helps for the Bears that this year’s draft class is awfully deep at Marshall’s position.
But according to Jason Cole at Bleacher/Report, the Colts have been shopping around for a potential trade at wide receiver as well. They’ve apparently placed inquires with the Bears on Marshall, the Dolphins with Mike Wallace, the Texans with Andre Johnson, and the Bucs with Vincent Jackson (who apparently isn’t available for trade).
The Colts could use a good veteran possession receiver since the status of Reggie Wayne has yet to be decided. Wayne will likely either retire or return to the Colts for one last season.
Based on need alone, Wallace falls off the Colts list and $12.1 million cap hit is a non-starter for an average deep threat receiver. Even if he is cut, he doesn’t fit a true need and is basically a less talented T.Y. Hilton.
With Jackson not being available, that leaves just Johnson and Marshall for the Colts.
It would be interesting to see Johnson, who has tormented the Colts for years, play in Indianapolis. And Johnson would certainly appreciate playing with a competent quarterback for once in his career.
Johnson will be 34 before the season begins and has a dangerous cap hit of $16.1 million in 2015. Taking on that much of a cap hit off a trade for a player who is just two years younger than Wayne simply doesn’t make sense.
If Johnson is cut by the Texans, he is certainly worth a look but doesn’t translate into anything more than a two year option at the position.
Marshall’s production suffered in 2014 due to rib and lung injuries that eventually shut him down for the year. He also suffered from questionable quarterback play.
Despite that, he managed 61 receptions for 721 yards and eight touchdowns in just 13 games (12 if you take away the 18 snaps against Dallas where his injuries finally took their toll).
Marshall is easily the best fit for the Colts if they are looking to make a deal. There’s still the possibility that he could be cut, but if not its a trade worth exploring.