3 free agent wide receivers the Colts could target as gap-year options

Right now, the Colts have two priority decisions to make offensively: Bring back Daniel Jones (fully healthy or as close to it), and bring back Alec Pierce, who, if the Colts let him walk, will cash in big elsewhere, leaving the Colts with Michael Pittman Jr., whom they need to move on from. 

Pierce will be a hot commodity this summer, and if the free agent re-signs with Indy, that will be their biggest acquisition of the summer, no matter what else they may do (save for their quarterback situation). The Colts likely sever their ties with Pittman, meaning they will have to fill his spot with someone else. 

Luckily, the free agent wide receiver market will be chock-full of available targets with a mix of veterans, stars, and reliable No. 2s. In any case, the Colts will be in the hunt for a wideout to sign, and among those the Colts should look at include that wouldn't necessarily be long-term solutions (that leaves the big names out), but sufficient gap year options. 

Indianapolis Colts' inevitable wide receiver needs could include 49ers star looking for a bigger role

Jauan Jennings

Now, Jennings might be a long shot for the Colts, considering that he could command a significant deal worth more than Indy could offer. In his now-expired contract with the San Francisco 49ers, Jennings's AAV was $5,945,000. The Colts could likely afford that, but Jennings is assuredly going into this offseason seeking more, with at least a few years attached. 

That said, if the Colts want to risk a big swing, Jennings might be the best non-star wideout on the market with the most upside, which could potentially give Daniel Jones a legitimate weapon on the offense. Jennings has shown during his time under Kyle Shanahan that he can be a very good No. 2 option.

Dyami Brown

Brown's time with the Jacksonville Jaguars was disappointing, to say the least, and he will enter free agency with a projection of receiving a one-year prove-it deal, according to Spotrac. This type of deal would work in Indianapolis's favor, as Brown would come cheap but also present a vertical threat in Shane Steichen's offense. 

Brown was vurtually undecectable during his one year with the Jaguars, posting just 20 receptions for 227 yards and a single touchdown. No team will be signing Brown with the hopes of elevating an offense to a different level; however, Brown could become an impactful secondary or third option for the Colts, and not to mention, he would come on the cheap side. 

Christian Kirk

Kirk knows the AFC South well, having played for both the Jaguars and the Houston Texans. What advantage does that give a wide receiver? He knows the defenses well. The Colts would be getting a veteran with eight NFL seasons, and despite his moving around, Kirk is a solid No. 3 option who would bring versatility to Indy's offense. 

Kirk is more of a slot receiver than anything else, but he can be used on the outside just as well. He excelled in both spots during his career-best 2022 season in Jacksonville, racking up 1,000+ yards on 84 receptions and eight touchdowns.

And keeping in theme with the low cost variable, Kirk wouldn't be expensive. His projected market value heading into this offseason is just over $5 million, which the Colts can accommodate.