Why Colts Wide Receivers, Tight Ends Have Improved

Pittman has been the very best receiver for the Colts now for 2 seasons. Drafted thirty fourth total within the second spherical of the 2020 draft, Pittman made an impression in his rookie 12 months and has solely constructed on this yearly since.

In 2021 he was undisputed on the place for the Colts, main the receiver corps as a sophomore within the NFL with 88 catches for 1,082 yards and 6 touchdowns, additionally bettering on effectivity with a 68.2% catch effectivity. Now in 2022, he leads but once more in catches and yards, comfortably the very best receiver with 67 catches for 678 receiving yards and 72.8% catching effectivity.

Nonetheless, the largest knock on Pittman is the dearth of downfield throws. Seeing 10.1 yards per catch exhibits the Colts aren’t benefiting from Pittman’s 6’4″, 225-pound body. Will Pittman develop into used extra usually as a downfield menace for quarterback Matt Ryan? It stays to be seen.

Nonetheless, one other receiver that has needed to battle getting brief throws, however has confirmed to be a much bigger menace than anticipated, is Parris Campbell.

Drafted in 2019 within the second spherical (59th total) out of Ohio State College, Campbell was on monitor to be a direct menace to pair with fellow burner T.Y. Hilton. Nonetheless, Campbell instantly battled accidents that held him to simply seven video games, 18 receptions, and solely 127 yards complete.

These accidents would restrict Campbell to a mere eight complete video games over the 2020 and 2021 campaigns, the place he confirmed transient indicators of promise, however his proneness to harm would pressure him to succumb to the sidelines.

Now in 2022, a totally wholesome Campbell has thrived with Ryan, posting profession highs throughout his stat line. At present, Campbell has performed in all 11 video games and introduced in 44 catches for 440 complete yards and three touchdowns.

Wouldn’t it be good to see #1 down the sphere extra? After all. However one factor is for positive, Campbell can win at any level along with his pace, and it has proven all through this season.

Lastly, we are going to cowl the rookie out of Cincinnati, Alec Pierce.

Pierce was drafted this 12 months within the second spherical by the Colts. Straight away, he was within the beginning rotation with the receivers and a deep menace for Ryan.

Solely lacking Week 2 towards the Jacksonville Jaguars, Pierce has performed 10 video games and stands by a 28-catch, 424-yard stat line. He’s additionally the staff chief in yards per catch with 15.1 per. As an alternative of Pittman or Campbell, as many figured can be the case, it’s been the rookie that has been focused downfield greater than anyone.

The Philadelphia Eagles snuffed out Pierce in Week 11, permitting solely 3 out of 8 targets to be pulled in by Pierce (solely 28 yards for 9.3 YPC). Pierce is discovering his footing, nevertheless it stays to be seen if he shall be used exterior of something greater than a deep menace for Ryan to house the ball to.

Together with the huge receivers are the tight ends, so let’s transition into the dialogue concerning the ever-evolving place for the Colts.

Out of the gate, we are going to focus on the latest moneyman for the Colts, Mo Alie-Cox. In 2022, Alie-Cox inked a three-year, $18 million contract with Indianapolis, within the hopes that he can be the tight finish of the longer term. If that is so, it’s a 12 months delayed.

With a large 6’5″, 267-pound body, Alie-Cox has been primarily utilized for blocking, however on the tight finish place, you continue to need to be a outstanding menace within the passing assault. He at present has 14 catches for 163 yards and a couple of touchdowns via 11 video games.

Additionally accompanying Alie-Cox are sophomore Kylen Granson and rookie Jelani Woods, who’ve each made their stamp in an in any other case bleak offensive 12 months.

Granson leads all tight ends on the Colts with 25 catches (fourth on the staff), 249 yards, and a pleasant 78% catch effectivity.

Granson has proven out latest weeks and is popping out as the very best receiving possibility on the tight finish that the Colts have. He’s shorter, however this helps him excel as a route runner and a ball service. He’ll very seemingly be used increasingly because the season goes on, and Ryan has proven a liking to the Southern Methodist alum.

To spherical out the tight finish group for the Colts is Woods, the dynamic red-zone rookie out of the College of Virginia.

The Colts took Woods within the third spherical of this 12 months’s draft. Straight away, Woods confirmed up as a giant goal however has just lately been battling accidents which have put a halt to his 12 months.

Proper now, he has performed solely 9 video games and has 7 catches, however 3 touchdowns, virtually half of his receptions.