The Colts enter the off-season a little sooner than anticipated and they now must address multiple needs.
It’s offseason mode for the Indianapolis Colts since they were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 18. Tempers and frustrations are high with the front office, players, and fans. Many are calling for Carson Wentz to be released or traded so that we can get our quarterback of the future.
Fans need to take a step back for a moment to really consider everything that is in motion. Yes, Jim Irsay, Chris Ballard, and Frank Reich are angry, as they should be. Does that mean that all of the blame that Wentz is taking from the final two losses of the season will result in a new quarterback in 2022? Likely not.
It’s hard to consider this, but Wentz got better from his final season with the Philadelphia Eagles to his first season with the Colts. There were a lot of poor decisions made and Wentz himself said that he doesn’t want to change his mindset. I just think it’s a bit early to know who will be QB1 in Week 1 of the 2022 NFL season.
So with that, let’s look at the key positions the Colts need to focus on either in Free Agency or the 2022 NFL Draft.
Colts top need is at wide receiver
There is absolutely no question that the Colts need to focus on getting a top wide receiver to pair with Michael Pittman Jr. MPJ had a solid sophomore season catching 88 passes for 1,082 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The next wide receiver to him was Zach Pascal with only 384 yards and 3 touchdowns. This is a drastic drop in production. Running back Jonathan Taylor was third in receiving yards for the Colts in 2021.
With Pascal likely on his way to a different team in 2022, it’s time to find the next guy. History shows signing a big-time wide receiver in the off-season doesn’t always work, though. This is going to be a position you want to find in the draft, preferably in the 2nd round.
If Purdue WR David Bell can fall that far in the draft, he would be an absolute steal. I’d expect Bell to move up the draft board the closer the draft gets. Alabama WR John Metchie III could be a solid alternative that could come to the Colts in the early to mid-second round.