Colts should swipe this free agent from rival Patriots

Most Indianapolis Colts fans would’ve rather seen the team target a superstar wide receiver this offseason rather than re-sign Ty Hilton after his consistent 2020 campaign.

While that analysis made sense, the Colts’ offense, which emphasizes distribution, doesn’t necessarily need a top-tier wideout to be prolific.

In other words, Hilton, despite the fact that he’s getting up there in age, is more than capable of assuming No. 1 duties for another season.

However, given the injury troubles Hilton and Parris Campbell have endured throughout their respective careers, it might behoove the Colts to look to add another receiver to the mix. And why not sting a rival while you’re at it?

This is not to mention that Michael Pittman Jr. missed time as a rookie due to foot surgery and the options behind Zach Pascal on the depth chart don’t inspire much confidence. That also helps the cause.

Luckily for Indy, the free agent market is still flush with viable depth options. The question they have to ask themselves is who would be the right fit? Well, given their glaring need for a speedy deep threat, they should look to steal Damiere Byrd from the AFC-rival Patriots.

The Colts should think about swiping Damiere Byrd from the Patriots.

Though Byrd performed well for the Patriots last season, that didn’t stop them from signing Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency. While it’s possible they still consider a reunion with the 28-year-old, you can kiss those chances goodbye if they select a WR in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Byrd emerged as a reliable target for Cam Newton and ultimately finished the year second on the team in receiving yards (604), as well as third in receptions (47) and touchdowns (one). That admittedly doesn’t say a lot given how unwatchable their passing game was, but you can also make the case that Byrd wasn’t signed to have that much of an impact.

The five-year pro could add even more depth to the Colts’ receiving corps, which could struggle like it did last season if one or two starters went down with an injury. For context, the likes of Hilton, Campbell and Pittman missed a combined 18 games in 2020.

Campbell, who never returned after suffering a knee injury in Week 2, accounted for 14 of those contests, but the point remains the same: Pascal was the only member of the unit who was available for every regular season game last year.

If something similar was to happen this year, Indy would be forced to throw one of Dezmon Patmon, Ashton Dulin or De’Michael Harris into a prominent role. While all three players have potential, they’ve managed 15 combined receptions in their respective careers.

Not only would Byrd embody a deep threat to unlock opposing defenses — and Carson Wentz’s cannon of a right arm, by the way — but he would give the Colts a dependable presence off the bench, which is something they can’t say right now behind their top four options.

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