The Indianapolis Colts' offense is virtually set in stone as far as starters go with Daniel Jones at quarterback (when he returns), Jonathan Taylor at running back, Alec Pierce and Josh Downs at wide receiver, and Tyler Warren at tight end.
The Colts are expecting huge years from all, and it will be especially exciting to see what kind of production Warren puts up after a remarkable rookie season. The same goes for Pierce, who will be looking to make good on the first year of his shiny new contract.
It's not the best offense in the NFL, and it likely won't be a top-10-ranked one either. That said, the Colts do have solid weapons, and Jones looked great before his injury last season. More of the questions for the Colts lie with their depth, which makes position battles at OTAs all the more exciting, especially at wide receiver, because essentially, the No. 3 spot is up for grabs; who wants it?
The Indianapolis Colts have three wide receivers expected to jostle for the No. 3 spot
Ashton Dulin
Ashton Dulin has spent his entire six-year NFL career in Indianapolis, largely as a kick returner on special teams, but has doubled as a wide receiver each year. Dulin has never surpassed the 20-reception mark once, and only twice has he caught double-digit passes, maintaining his No. 4 wide receiver spot for the majority of his time with the Colts.
Dulin will either move up and secure the No. 3 spot going into next season or lose it. That said, his experience working in the Colts' system and as a veteran is to his advantage when OTAs kick off. Dulin has totaled 623 yards and four touchdowns as a receiver with the Colts.
Deion Burks
Former Oklahoma Sooners wideout Deion Burks was the Colts' eighth and final draft pick of this year, but he's already ignited a lot of conversation about what a steal he was and how he can be an immediate impact player for the Colts.
Given his rookie status, he is unlikely to steal the No. 3 spot before the regular season begins. However, as Burks grows and develops in OTAs, training camp, and pre-season, he'll have every shot at competing for a higher spot on the wide receivers depth chart if he can outwork and outperform the others.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine
Another six-year veteran who joined the Colts as a free agent is Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who spent the first five years of his career with an AFC South division rival, the Tennessee Titans. Westbrook-Ikhine has put up the most numbers of all the Colts depth wideouts, but he's also coming into a situation lacking experience in the system and likely behind Dulin on the depth chart.
Having said that, given Westbrook-Ikhine's significantly better-looking numbers than Dulin (Westbrook-Ikhine has 1,862 yards, 19 touchdowns, and 137 receptions in six years), his production alone might actually give him the edge over Dulin, if he outshines him in workouts. Westbrook-Ikhine might actually have the best shot out of everyone else to grab hold of the Colts' No. 3 spot at wide receiver.
Considering past production, Westbrook-Ikhine has the best chance between him, Dulin, and Burks to grab hold of the No. 3 spot behind Pierce and Downs for next season.
His past production as a depth wideout is hard to ignore. Additionally, the futures of Anthony Gould and Laquon Treadwell (who also remain currently on the Colts roster) are uncertain. This spot should be Westbrook-Ikhine's in the end.
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