Could next season be the year that Mike Strachan finally steps up for the Colts?

Now that the Indianapolis Colts have lost Parris Campbell, they’ll need another receiver to step up. Could Mike Strachan be the guy to do that in 2023?

As things currently stand, the wide receivers set to return for the Indianapolis Colts next season are Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Ashton Dulin, and Mike Strachan. Pittman has been Indy’s No. 1 receiver for the last two seasons and will soon get a contract extension that shows that. Alec Pierce is coming off a rookie season where he showed a ton of promise, and should step up into the No. 2 role next season.

Ashton Dulin has flashed in multiple games, and since the Colts just re-signed him to a two-year deal, it seems like they’re ready to increase his role on offense. Then there’s Mike Strachan. Strachan has shown a ton of potential and generated excitement amongst fans, but that hasn’t led to much actual production. Could he be ready to put it all together next season and step up for Indianapolis?

What should Colts expect from Mike Strachan next season?

Indianapolis will likely add to the wide receiver room over the next few months, either in free agency or the draft, and maybe even both. However, the Colts would definitely love for Mike Strachan to step up and establish himself as a consistent contributor. Strachan will be entering his third season in the league and has had some promising moments.

After being selected in the seventh round of the 2021 Draft, Strachan generated a lot of excitement because of his size and athleticism, but also his impressive training camps. Listed at 6-foot-5, 224 pounds, Strachan is a larger receiver that should be able to make big plays. During training camp and the preseason, Strachan was making those plays.

As a rookie, in three preseason games, Strachan caught 10 passes for 130 yards. However, during the 2021 regular season, he only played in six games, catching two passes for 26 yards. In the 2022 preseason, Strachan caught four passes for 56 yards and a touchdown. But in the regular season, he played in 13 games, catching just three reception for 59 yards.

Obviously, the regular season is much different than the preseason and training camp practices. However, Strachan is entering his third season in the league and it’s time for him to step up. The Colts can really use another consistent receiver, and if Strachan isn’t ready to contribute in year three, it’s fair to ask if he’ll ever be ready to help in Indianapolis.

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