Indianapolis Colts: 15 greatest receivers in franchise history
By John Buhler
(2012-present). T.Y. Hilton. 4. player. 46. . WR
- 4x Pro Bowl (2014-17)
- 2016 NFL leader in receiving yards (1,448)
- 507+ career receptions
- 8,097+ career receiving yards
- 40+ career touchdown receptions
T.Y. Hilton is the only active player with the Colts to make this list. In his first seven years with the franchise, he is undoubtedly on the Mount Rushmore of Colts wide receivers. At only 29 years old, Hilton is just getting started in building his Indianapolis receiving legacy.
Indianapolis took a chance on Hilton in the third round of the 2012 NFL Draft out of Florida International. Outside of the lost 2017 NFL season, Hilton has been the primary beneficiary of the Colts having Andrew Luck as their star quarterback. Both perennial Pro Bowlers came into the league in the same 2012 NFL Draft.
Hilton had a strong rookie season in 2012 with 50 catches for 861 yards and seven touchdowns. From 2013 to 2018, Hilton has gone over 1,000 receiving yards in a season five times. The lone exception came in 2017 when Hilton had 966 receiving yards that year. Keep in mind Luck missed the entire season with his ongoing shoulder injury.
Regardless, Hilton was able to make his fourth straight trip to the Pro Bowl that season. The year prior in 2016 he led the NFL in receiving yards with 1,448. While he has never had 100 catches or 10 touchdown grabs in a season, Hilton has quietly emerged as one of the best and most consistent wide receivers in the AFC of this past decade.
Through the 2018 NFL season, Hilton has 507 career receptions for 8,097 yards and 40 touchdowns. With no signs of slowing down, we can expect that Hilton will go over 10,000 yards in his career, hopefully entirely with the Colts.
Overall, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is within reach for the Colts wide receiver. However, he can’t retire today and expect a gold jacket. That being said, having a star quarterback in Luck slinging him the pigskin and hopefully several great years ahead of him, perhaps Hilton will indeed be Canton bound after all?