Colts 2015 Position Review: Wide Receivers

Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) celebrates with wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) after making a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 8, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) celebrates with wide receiver T.Y. Hilton (13) after making a touchdown reception during the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) catches a pass for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans cornerback B.W. Webb (38) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Andre Johnson (81) catches a pass for a touchdown against Tennessee Titans cornerback B.W. Webb (38) at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Andre Johnson

Grade: D+

What went right: Johnson showed up big against the Texans on a short week and was part of the “old man brigade” that led the team to victory in Houston. At times he showed flashes of the once dominant receiver, but more often than not was disappointing.

What went wrong: This was the worst season of Johnson’s career. In part because he struggles to get open and partly due to not being used in a way that would fits his current skill set. Johnson still has reliable hands and physically presents a matchup problem, but he lacks the speed and quickness to get open consistently. It certainly would have helped had Luck been healthy all year, but his numbers probably wouldn’t have been all that much better.

Offseason expectations: The Colts certainly could cut Johnson this year, but it seems more likely they’ll keep him and chalk it up to Luck’s injuries. The Colts could still use a veteran presence on the field, but at five years in that could easily be Hilton. The savings by cutting Johnson aren’t great, but they could be spent on finding someone on defense.

Next: Phillip Dorsett

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