The Colts’ wide receiver room is running it back.
Indianapolis, IN — The Indianapolis Colts are returning their wide receiver room from a season ago. Led by Colts legend and current WRs Coach Reggie Wayne, running it back with this room provides a more optimistic outlook this time, despite the uncertainty surrounding Indy’s quarterback play.
Although the Colts lack a tried and true WR1 that the league so desperately suggests a team needs, they have attempted to combat this with the aggregate, and it may just work out in their favor. It’s a room comprised of most traits you want out of your wide receivers, though instead of combining them into one player, it’s dispersed from top to bottom.
Projected Starters
Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce
The projected starting trio — Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce — offers a near-perfect complement to how this offense wants to operate under head coach Shane Steichen and company. As alluded to, none of these three would warrant ‘superstar’ descriptions at this point in their careers, though each is certainly a star-caliber player whose strengths and traits complement what the others do and/or do not do well.
Pittman Jr. — Playing through a back injury (slight back fracture), Pittman Jr. had a ‘down year’ in 2024, given the expectations set by him earlier in his career, but is poised to return to form. He played in 16 games despite the injury and still managed to put up 808 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns on 69 receptions.
Pierce — He is fresh off a breakout campaign that resulted in both career and team-highs in receiving yards (824) while also leading the NFL in yards per reception (22.3 ypc). Pierce not only blossomed into becoming the Colts’ go-to vertical option in the passing game, but is now regarded as one of the best downfield threats that the sport has to offer.
Downs — He led the Colts in receptions (72) and receiving yards per game (57.4 yards) despite only playing 14 games in 2024. Downs is referred to as the quarterback’s security blanket and for good reason. His elite separation skills and reliability overall as a passcatcher make life easier and ultimately raise the floor of the offense.
Backups/Rotational
Adonai Mitchell, Ashton Dulin, Anthony Gould
Mitchell, Dulin, and Gould offer great upside as the go-to relievers out of the wideout bullpen. Ashton Dulin is a career rotational piece who is among the best gunners in the league and is constantly making the most of his opportunities on offense. On the other side of that coin, Anthony Gould is similar to Dulin given his special teams prowess as the team’s de facto kick and punt returner. Unlike Dulin, Gould’s ability as a wide receiver has yet to be realized; therefore, expectations in this area are low heading into the season.
Adonai Mitchell, however, is fresh off a tumultuous rookie campaign. Although he battles Josh Downs for the title of best separator on the team, consistency is at the forefront of his struggles thus far. What Mitchell lacks as an NFL player, he makes up for in potential and traits. Thankfully, for both him individually and the Colts as a whole, Mitchell is in line to take a step forward without having the pressure to start as a second-year player.
Fringe Active Roster/Practice Squad
D.J. Montgomery, Laquon Treadwell, Ajou Ajou, Blayne Taylor, Landon Parker, Coleman Owen
D.J. Montgomery and Laquon Treadwell are the frontrunners of this group, dominating Indy’s reserve teams in recent years. Montgomery has been doing the dirty work amid progression during his time in Indianapolis, whereas Treadwell, a former first-round pick, has seemingly found similar footing as he continues his journey as an NFL wideout.
As for the rest of the group, these are players who are looking to get their foot in the door. Either small-schoolers or generally unproductive during their time in college, the group in question will look to use their athletic makeups to earn a spot on the team. Often regarded as ‘camp bodies’ due to the expendable nature of their role(s) in training camp, therein lies a reality where one or more of these guys could carve out an opportunity that results in an eventual role for the future.
