Alec Pierce and Josh Downs are a lock to enter the 2026 season with the Indianapolis Colts as the No. 1 and No. 2 wide receiver options, while the competition for the No. 3 wideout spot remains ongoing, as are many other position group battles on the Colts currently.
Pierce secured his No. 1 spot as soon as his new deal was signed, and Downs was inevitable to move up to No. 2 after the Colts traded away long-time pass catcher Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the offseason.
With Downs moving up, and expected to have a breakout season opposite Pierce, Ashton Dulin, another long-time Colt, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Laquon Treadwell, and 2026 seventh-round draft pick Deion Burks, are all competing for the third spot. The question is, where does this leave Colts' 2024 pick, Anthony Gould?
Anthony Gould is moving toward being the odd man out with the Indianapolis Colts' wide receiving corps
Dulin, who has spent his entire seven-year NFL career with the Colts (he missed the 2023 season due to an injury), is speculated to win the third roster spot behind Pierce and Downs, given his long-time familiarity with the Colts offense. That said, there shouldn't be a surprise if Westbrook-Ikhine steals the job; his career numbers are far superior to Dulin's.
As for Gould, he has doubled as a pass catcher and kick returner since entering the league. Last season, his special teams impact was greater than on offense. Gould played in just 58 snaps in six games, catching two balls for six yards.
Whereas on special teams, Gould averaged 25.9 yards per kick return on 25 attempts and averaged 10.1 yards per punt return on 13 attempts. Those numbers have largely overshadowed his offensive impact.
With Dulin expected to be above Gould in the depth chart, and likely Westbrook-Ikhine as well, Gould's more direct competition is with Treadwell and Burks, and the bad news for Gould is that the Colts are high on Burks.
It's also in the rumor winds that the Colts are still seeking further help at wide receiver, which would likely involve one of the veterans who remain unsigned, like Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, or DeAndre Hopkins. If the Colts sign a veteran pass catcher, that would further push Gould down the depth chart and closer to the back door and off the Colts for good.
What may work in his favor is if the Colts decide to use Gould only on special teams. If that were to happen, that would likely mean Dulin won the No. 3 wide receiver spot, meaning most of his impact would come on offense, instead of splitting with special teams like Dulin has for the past several years. This would give Gould a chance to stay, but it will be a slim chance nonetheless.
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