The Indianapolis Colts traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers and re-signed Alec Pierce to a four-year deal worth up to $116 million. This means Pierce is now the clear WR1, but he needs help.
Besides Josh Downs, the help doesn't appear to be on the current Indianapolis roster. That includes Laquon Treadwell, a first-round draft pick for the Minnesota Vikings in 2016. He has managed to hang around the NFL since then while not doing very much.
He's spent the last two seasons with the Colts, but has had no receptions in 12 games. He is almost purely a special-teams player, and one that is completely replaceable. Before the 2026 season, general manager Chris Ballard needs to find his replacement because doing so means the team has also found a decent player to take Pittman's spot.
First-round 2026 draft bust Laquon Treadwell should be on thin ice with the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis should know better, based on the injury issues that happened last season, that the team cannot afford to be so thin at the important position of wide receiver. Behind Pierce and Downs are unproven or, like Treadwell, unproductive players.
Treadwell is simply keeping a roster spot that needs to go to someone who would be of better use in Indianapolis. Players like that still exist in free agency. Deebo Samuel could be a good fit in head coach Shane Steichen's system. Veteran DeAndre Hopkins might not be extremely productive anymore, but he is certainly more so than Treadwell would be.
Even without adding a new receiver, Laquon Treadwell is somewhat buried on the depth chart. Pierce will start on the outside, of course, and Downs in the slot. Free agent acquisition Nick Westbrook-Ikhine might start at the other outside spot. He hasn't accomplished very much in a longish career.
Ashton Dulin and 2026 seventh-round draft pick Deion Burks are likely also above Treadwell. While he has managed to stay a part of the Indianapolis Colts organization, one might have a logical reason to ask why. He isn't a good wide receiver, and that is the very position he plays.
He is one of the bigger first-round busts at wideout in recent memory. He's played for six teams in 10 seasons, and he has never had more than 434 yards receiving in a season. That number represents a third of what Treadwell has accomplished in total. The last time he scored a touchdown was in 2021.
And yet, Chris Ballard keeps him around. This cannot be the case in 2026, though. The Colts have too much of a need at wide receiver. Laquon Treadwell's spot needs to be taken by a free agent (nearly any free agent) who can give Indy more production.
Add us as a preferred source on Google