Colts: 3 position battles that could have surprising endings

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Rock Ya-Sin #26 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a interception in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - NOVEMBER 22: Rock Ya-Sin #26 of the Indianapolis Colts celebrates after a interception in the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 22, 2020 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
3 of 3
Dezmon Patmon, Colts
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – JANUARY 03: Dezmon Patmon #85 of the Indianapolis Colts (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

1. No. 5 Wide Receiver: Dezmon Patmon vs. Mike Strachan vs. JJ Nelson

The Colts have their first four spots at this position locked in, as the likes of speedster Parris Campbell and the solid Zach Pascal will back up Pittman and Hilton. The main candidate to take over the fifth spot, however, is still unknown.

In addition to a pair of talented undrafted free agents in Tarik Black and Tyler Vaughns, Indianapolis has a speedy vet in JJ Nelson in town to compete against two late-round draft picks in Mike Strachan and Dezmon Patmon.

Ultimately, the winner of this battle could be decided by what type of receiver Frank Reich is looking for.

The Colts must figure out what to do at wide receiver.

If he wants pure speed, Nelson will earn the job. If he wants solid route-running, look for Vaughns. The two best contested-catch receivers in this bunch are Black and Patmon, while Strachan is such a jaw-dropping athlete for his size that he could earn the No. 5 spot on his body alone.

Injuries will happen, and they could happen to a wide receiver corps that will be targeted heavily in a pass-happy attack from offensive coordinator Marcus Brady.

While Patmon and Nelson have the benefit of some NFL experience, that doesn’t make them locks to win the job.

Schedule