The Indianapolis Colts kept their star pass catcher in town. Alec Pierce isn't going anywhere, and he'll continue to be Daniel Jones' favorite big-play threat. However, that came at a steep cost, as GM Chris Ballard had to trade Michael Pittman Jr. as a salary cap casualty.
Now, the Colts are thin at wide receiver. Newcomer Nick Westbrook-Ikhine has shown flashes but is inconsistent, and Josh Downs should be in for an expanded role. That may not be enough, even for a team that's going to prioritize the running game.
Considering that, and given the high asking price some big-name wideouts have set for themselves in free agency, the Colts might want to give DeAndre Hopkins a call. He tried to endear himself to half a dozen teams at the Fanatics flag football game, so he clearly still wants to play.
DeAndre Hopkins could be a bargain for the Indianapolis Colts
According to Over The Cap, the Colts are sitting on $26.7 million in cap space. However, with many holes to fill on defense, they might want to be cautious with how much money they spend in free agency. Spotrac projects Hopkins' market value at just $1.5 million, which makes him a perfect fit for this team.
Granted, Hopkins' best years are clearly far behind him, and he's coming off the worst season of his career. He had just 22 catches on 39 targets for 330 yards and two touchdowns. That said, he was rarely used in goal-line situations, where he's usually more dangerous.
The Colts don't need Hopkins to be the three-time All-Pro selection he was from 2017-19. They don't even need him to be a volume guy or a starter. They just need some depth and for him to be their go-to guy when they need a crucial first down or to make a play near the end zone, as he still has some of the most reliable hands in the game.
Hopkins has never been a burner. His game has never been about speed or physicality. Instead, he's a master of creating separation, route-running, and his ability to deliver in contested-catch situations is perhaps his most impressive trait.
The Colts need veteran leaders and competitors in the locker room, and Hopkins, who has been there and done that, just wants an opportunity to extend his career and prove that he's still got plenty left in the tank. He's not going to cost much, and there's literally no downside in giving him a chance to walk away from the game on his own terms.