Horseshoe Heroes
FanSided

Assessing every Colts offensive position group for 2020

By Brandon Daniels

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: The Indianapolis Colts offense celebrates after a Colts touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - OCTOBER 27: The Indianapolis Colts offense celebrates after a Colts touchdown in the third quarter of the game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 27, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Bobby Ellis/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 20: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – OCTOBER 20: T.Y. Hilton #13 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

3. Wide receiver group

2019 WR group

WR1: TY Hilton

WR2: Devin Funchess

WR3: Parris Campbell (R)

WR4: Zach Pascal

WR5: Marcus Johnson

2020 WR group

WR1: TY Hilton

WR2: Michael Pittman Jr. (R)

WR3: Parris Campbell

WR4: Marcus Johnson

WR5: Dezmon Patton (R)

The wide receiver group was a banged-up group for the entire season. By the end of the year, the team had to rely on Marcus Johnson, Zach Pascal, Dontrelle Inman, and an injured T.Y. Hilton to carry the receiver group. No pass-catcher totaled more than 607 yards (Pascal) and 5 touchdowns (Pascal and Hilton).

Devin Funchess was expected to be the 2nd receiver opposite of Hilton but was injured and placed on IR after his first catch of the year. Rookie Parris Campbell was also supposed to have an important role but vastly underperformed when he wasn’t injured.

The receiving core was upgraded nicely through the draft this offseason. 2nd-round pick Michael Pittman Jr. looks like a perfect possession receiver for Rivers. Hilton and Campbell are healthy and ready to improve in his sophomore season.

Given that both Hilton and Campbell played injured last year, it’s fair game to say they’re due for big improvements. Pittman hasn’t played an NFL snap yet but looks to be exactly the receiver that Rivers needs down the field. While Hilton has been one of the best deep-ball threats in the NFL, Pittman’s 6-4, 223-pound frame will be a great target for his new QB (who has tendencies of throwing into heavy coverage down the field).

The verdict: Undecided, but projected improvement

Home/Colts News