The Indianapolis Colts are looking to upgrade at wide receiver and Marquez Valdes-Scantling can be an affordable option.
The new league year hasn’t officially begun but hopes are high for the Indianapolis Colts along with many other teams. There’s optimism that franchises will be able to secure all the right pieces this offseason.
Something Indy needs to continue building a championship roster is more pass catchers. With Michael Pittman Jr. establishing himself as a lead receiver, the Colts need to find another consistent weapon opposite of him.
The free agent and draft class are both loaded with receivers so Indianapolis should definitely be able to return with at least one new wideout. How much money Indy is willing to spend will determine the caliber of the receiver.
Cody Benjamin, of CBS Sports, offers Indianapolis a cheap option at receiver in a recent free agency projection piece. Benjamin sees the Colts signing Marquez Valdes-Scantling to a two-year, $20.5 million deal.
Marquez Valdes-Scantling used the referee as a moving screen on this 78-yard TD.pic.twitter.com/Hmdmcu4fb7
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) November 15, 2020
Marquez Valdes-Scantling predicted to join Colts
Valdes-Scantling was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in 2018 and emerged as one of Aaron Rodgers’s favorite targets after Davante Adams.
In four years with Green Bay, Valdes-Scantling caught 123 passes for 2,153 yards and 13 touchdowns. His best season came in 2020 when he had 33 receptions for 690 yards and six touchdowns.
Valdes-Scantling isn’t the top receiver that many Colts fans are probably hoping for but he is an explosive receiver that can help Indy’s offense.
In 2020, Valdes-Scantling had the most yards per catch with 20.9. His career average is 17.5. That deep-threat ability is something Indy has been lacking.
The Colts hoped to get it from Parris Campbell, but he has struggled with injury. Valdes-Scantling on the other hand played every game in his first three seasons before missing six games last season with a hamstring injury.
Since Valdes-Scantling isn’t one of the biggest names, Indianapolis should be able to land him for a contract that pays around $10 million annually— cheap for a wide receiver.
If the Colts can add Valdes-Scantling and pick up another receiver in the draft, they will significantly boost the offensive weapons and give a better supporting cast to complement Jonathan Taylor and Indy’s run game.
3 Colts that should be untouchable in trade talks
The Indianapolis Colts are looking to upgrade at certain positions and that may mean trading away some good players but some players should be off-limits.