The Indianapolis Colts got their guy, but it cost them another one. Keeping Alec Pierce in town forced them to move on from Michael Pittman Jr., and signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine won't do much to move the needle.
That's why general manager Chris Ballard should be actively looking for proven pass catchers to give his quarterback a hand. Even with Tyler Warren stepping up in year two and Pierce also embracing a bigger role, this team is thin at wide receiver.
With that in mind, and given that he still wants to play, the Colts should at least consider signing DeAndre Hopkins. He's still got some of the most reliable hands in the game, and it shouldn't take much to convince him.
DeAndre Hopkins is a perfect bargain for the Indianapolis Colts
According to Spotrac, DeAndre Hopkins is projected to make $1.48 million next season on a one-year deal. As things stand now, the Colts have $26.6 million in available cap space, so they have a couple of bucks to spare to get this deal done.
Hopkins' best years are clearly in the rearview mirror, but it's not like he used to rely on his speed, strength, or athleticism to do his damage. His best traits, his hands, route-running, and ability to create separation, remain intact, even if Father Time has undoubtedly caught up to him.
He's always been a threat in the end zone, and his ability to dominate in 50/50 ball situations was second to none in his prime. Some of that remains, and they don't even need him to be one of their primary targets.
The bulk of the passing game should run through Pierce, Warren, and Josh Downs, and the Colts will probably be a run-heavy team for as long as Jonathan Taylor is out there and healthy anyway. As such, he'd be some insurance over the underwhelming Westbrook-Ikhine, especially in goal-line situations.
The Colts have seven draft picks, but none of those are in the first round. They also have huge needs on defense, and even if that weren't the case, they might not land a difference-making wide receiver at No. 47; at least not someone who can make an impact right away.
He's clearly no longer at the peak of his powers, and he's not going to be the All-Pro pass catcher he was in his heyday. That said, beggars can't be choosers, and the Colts could use as much help as they can get at the position.
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