The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the most difficult teams to figure out during the early stages of free agency.
According to reports, their conservative nature can be attributed to the front office sorting out contract extensions for some of their finest homegrown talents.
It was always expected that general manager Chris Ballard would sit out the initial wave of signings, but his lack of urgency to make any semblance of a statement addition is really starting to rub fans the wrong way.
Thus far, the Colts have signed defensive end Isaac Rochell and offensive tackle Sam Tevi.
While both players technically fill huge positions of need, it would be shocking if they played anything more than a rotational role next season.
Luckily for fans in Indy, however, it would appear that Ballard is starting to feel the pressure to add marquee talents to his playoff-ready roster. Per ESPN insider Adam Schefter, the Colts are bringing in wide receiver Sammy Watkins for a visit this week.
Free-agent WR Sammy Watkins is scheduled to visit the Indianapolis Colts on Wednesday after Tuesday’s trip to Baltimore with the Ravens, per sources. Watkins also has drawn some interest from the Titans and Texans.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 22, 2021
The Colts signing Sammy Watkins would be a massive move for the offense.
This is what we’re talking about! The wide receiver pool has really dried up over the last few days, as the likes of Kenny Golladay, Will Fuller, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Curtis Samuel, all of whom would’ve been excellent fits in the Colts’ offense, recently managed to ink deals elsewhere.
Outside of TY Hilton, who’s being actively recruited by several members of Indianapolis’ roster over the last few days, Watkins is arguably the most intriguing receiver left on the market. The best part about the Colts’ reported interest in the former No. 4 overall pick (other than his ridiculous talent) is that they could likely land him at an extreme discount.
After all, he was limited to just 10 games (nine starts) last season due to various injuries and really struggled to produce when he was on the field, recording a career-low 37 receptions for 421 yards and two touchdowns. With that being said, however, Watkins is just one year removed from being an instrumental component of the Chiefs’ championship run.
Report: Colts to Host Chiefs Free Agent WR Sammy Watkins on Wednesday https://t.co/U1DWqPaNW5 pic.twitter.com/B3g6DoLHwT
— Stampede Blue (@StampedeBlue) March 22, 2021
Durability has always been the question with Watkins, as he’s played in all 16 games just once across his seven-year career (his rookie season). Taking that into account, the Colts should give serious consideration to signing the 27-year-old and bringing back Hilton as extra insurance.
After all, Hilton, Michael Pittman Jr. and Parris Campbell missed time due to injury last season and the last thing quarterback Carson Wentz needs is a repeat of what he dealt with in Philadelphia over the last two campaigns in terms of throwing to a depleted receiving corps.
Bottom line? Though Watkins’ injury history will draw red flags among fans, the potential upside he would offer to the Colts’ offense makes signing him a no-brainer, especially if he’s willing to take a discount that’ll give Ballard and Co. the financial flexibility to make more additions.
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