Ranking the top 6 receivers Colts could draft in second round

Evaluating the options at wide receiver for the Colts’ first pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

The Indianapolis Colts moved up five spots in the Draft after swapping their initial 47th pick for the 42nd overall pick with the Washington Commanders as part of the Carson Wentz trade. Soon later, Indy sent a third-round pick to the Atlanta Falcons in exchange for 2016 MVP quarterback Matt Ryan.

With so much movement this offseason around the player that will be under center for 2022, it’s improbable the Colts seek to add yet another signal-caller with their first selection in this year’s NFL draft.

Add on that Indianapolis has made a cluster of defensive signings that include cornerback Brandon Facyson and safety Armani Watts while also bringing back special teams captain Zaire Franklin and defensive end Tyquan Lewis. Indy also traded for defensive end Yannick Ngakoue. The likelihood the Colts go defense early on is slim.

So where would Indy go on offense? Some experts think left tackle is a possibility but wide receiver also seems like a pretty good spot.

Colts should draft a receiver first

Michael Pittman Jr. had an incredible sophomore season and is on pace to take the torch from free agent and former primary target, T.Y. Hilton. The depth behind MPJ, however, is open for competition.

Injuries have plagued Parris Campbell’s career thus far, Ashton Dulin is a rising star but for special teams more so than offense, Dezmon Patmon has seen limited action in the offense, and Michael Strachan, a seventh-round selection last season, still has some questions to answer before guaranteeing his roster spot.

Given the veteran wide receiver market is practically at a standstill since division rival Jacksonville Jaguars overcompensated with their cap money for mid-name WRs, the Colts should indeed look elsewhere to add talent to their offense.

Considering the amount of talent at the wide receiver position in this class, and Indy’s GM Chris Ballard already catching on to the probability of landing an explosive playmaker, there is only one question in regards to what the Colts need to do with their first pick this year, Who?

John Metchie is the sixth-best fit for Colts

John Metchie has been linked to the Colts previously from early mid-round draft speculation. It’s no doubt the Alabama wideout has sparked an interest. During the 2020 season, Metchie showed flashes of being the next best WR to come out of Bama as a Sophomore. His junior season in 2021 certainly expanded on that.

Unfortunately, Metchie suffered an ACL injury in the SEC Championship game against Georgia which has impacted his draft status severely. Chris Ballard seems to overlook prior injuries in prospects when drafting and instead seeks their production and personality as fits when determining a player’s status. This was apparent last year when he drafted Dayo Odeyingbo in the second round of the 2021 draft.

A risk that could have a huge payoff. Drafting Metchie brings NFL-ready talent to the Colts from one of if not the most successful programs in college football.

If Metchie is even a shadow of being a true No. 1 receiver at Alabama in the NFL, lining up anywhere on the field for the Colts opens up the offense in an extraordinary way.

David Bell is the fifth-best fit for Colts

The fan-favorite, hometown hero, Indianapolis’ own David Bell comes in at No. 5 on this list of potential fits for the Colts. The former Purdue Boilermaker showcases high promise as an NFL wideout, but don’t take my word for it, his accolades and in-game ability speak for themselves.

A 2018 four-star recruit and recipient of the Gatorade Player of the year for the state of Indiana, Bell immediately made his name known as a freshman at Purdue. He earned All-American honors his first season and didn’t miss a beat for the entirety of his college career, finishing off as an AP All-American, Biletnikoff finalist, and Big 10 receiver of the Year in 2021.

The Colts would benefit from his instant impact and allow him to continue his success in Indiana. Adding David Bell to the wide receiver room with the 42nd overall pick would be adding one of the smoothest all-around players the draft has to offer.

Skyy Moore is the fourth-best fit for Colts

A player who improved his draft stock drastically since the scouting combine a month ago, Skyy Moore, has made his way into Daniel Jeremiah’s top 50 prospects and is seen to be an early day two draftee.

The Skyy is the limit as far as fit goes with the Colts. Don’t worry about the small school status, that certainly wasn’t an issue for Pittsburgh Steelers WR Diontae Johnson.

Skyy Moore has the ability to come in and produce right away just as he did at Western Michigan. His playmaking ability can be most valuable from the slot, but that doesn’t mean he can’t line up on the outside.

Moore provides a reliable target with great hands, ball skill, and instinctive ability to maneuver around NFL DBs. With new receivers’ coach, Reggie Wayne, perfecting the craft of Moore’s already polished route running, separation, and any other tools needed to play the wideout position, Moore will definitely progress.

Jahan Dotson is the third-best fit for Colts

Okay, okay this one could be a stretch but hear me out. Jahan Dotson falling to the Colts at 42 would be ridiculous. The quick-footed Dotson is one of the nastiest route runners in the draft. His speed and shiftiness allow him to create separation easily, which is something the Colts desperately lacked in 2021.

Ideally, Jahan Dotson is more of a complementary receiver to Michael Pittman Jr in this scenario, somewhat similar to what Calvin Ridley was to Julio Jones for newly acquired Colts QB Matt Ryan in Atlanta.

You may not want to bet on Dotson being there at 42, but if he is, this would be the biggest steal in the draft, by far, and would solidify the Colts’ receiver corps with a first-round talent and add an immediate playmaker that complements the offense almost perfectly.

George Pickens is the second-best fit for Colts

Talk about giving another meaning to the phrase “Slim Pickings.” The former Georgia Bulldog, George Pickens, is one of the most under-the-radar prospects this draft has to offer. Before suffering a knee injury in the spring of 2021, Pickens was slated to be one of the nation’s best WRs in the fall.

This disrespect to Pickens may have the Colts benefiting later on this month. The dynamics of his play make for elite-level status as an NFL wideout.

George Pickens has the physical traits, ability, and plenty of dominant performances from maybe the best conference in college football you want to see from a prospect.

The potential George Pickens has will challenge Michael Pittman Jr. for the status of the No. 1 receiver in Indianapolis for years to come. A problem Chris Ballard and coach Frank Reich would be happy to have.

Christian Watson is the best fit for Colts

A three-time FCS champion at North Dakota State, this baller has done nothing but turn heads since his first exposure. Christian Watson is an explosive, big-body receiver, similar to that of Michael Pittman Jr, and should be the top receiver on Indy’s board.

He probably is considering that Chris Ballard is a major fan of the traits Watson possesses at wideout. But there is one big difference between Pittman and  Watson: Watson runs a sub 4.4 40-yard dash.

To have two guys on each side of the field that can go up and completely manhandle a smaller NFL defensive back would be a matchup nightmare for opponents. It wouldn’t matter who the quarterback was, all they’d have to do was chuck it up in either direction.

David Bell may be the unanimous fan favorite due to his origins, but as far as fits go, Christian Watson opens up an entirely new world of possibilities.

His ability to take the top off a defense and make them look like a can of beans is unimaginable. He’s the type of player that requires double coverage at all times, something that simply isn’t likely to happen with the NFL’s best RB in the backfield.

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