Pro Football Rumors
Colts Do Not Plan To Pursue No. 3 WR
Open original episode ↗This transcript does not include audio timing.
The Colts were on pace to have one of the league’s best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury. Alec Pierce was only eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, but Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior. This offseason, Indianapolis opted to retain Pierce on a $28.5MM per year deal and sent Pittman to the Steelers in a late-Day 3 pick swap. That leaves somewhat of a hole in the wide receiver room behind Pierce and Downs, a 2023 third-rounder who only posted 566 receiving yards in 2025 after 1,574 in his first two seasons. However, the Colts are not planning to pursue a No. 3 receiver, according to The Athletic’s James Boyd. Instead, they are counting on a number of factors to fill the void in their passing game. The first is Pierce, who is expected to see WR1-level targets commensurate with his new status as the team’s highest-paid wideout (and non-quarterback). Pierce has yet to reach 85 targets in a season but consistently made big gains downfield to make up for that lack of volume. In back-to-back years, the 26-year-old has led the league in yards per reception to go along with a stellar 11.9 yards per target. Maintaining that efficiency with over 100 targets would go a long way in replacing Pittman’s production. Indianapolis is also expecting Downs to bounce back after seeing the fewest targets of his career last year, though his efficiency metrics took a sharp dip down, too. He primarily lines up in the slot, so a combination of free agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and longtime core special teams contributor Ashton Dulin will likely step up on the boundary. Seventh-round pick Deion Burks has a similar athletic profile to Downs and will likely provide depth in the slot. Finally, the Colts are hoping to get even more out of 2025 first-rounder Tyler Warren after his Pro Bowl rookie year. The 23-year-old tight end ranked second on the team with 817 receiving yards, but almost 60% came after the catch. Getting him more involved in the downfield passing game could turn him into one of the league’s most productive tight ends. The team has plenty of time to evaluate their current wide receiver situation. The ranks of available free agents will thin in the coming months, but there should still be some veterans available when training camp rolls around if the coaching staff is not satisfied with what they see at OTAs and mandatory minicamp. View Comments (0)
Takes mentioned in this episode
- Nick Westbrook-Ikhine player · positive
“a combination of free agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and longtime core special teams contributor Ashton Dulin will likely step up on the boundary.”
Mentioned as a potential addition to the wide receiver room.
- Michael Pittman Jr. player · negative
“but Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Mentioned as having seen statistical regression in the previous season.
- Pittsburgh Steelers team · neutral
“sent Pittman to the Steelers in a late-Day 3 pick swap.”
Mentioned as the team that acquired Michael Pittman Jr.
- Daniel Jones player · negative
“before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Mentioned in the context of a season-ending injury affecting the team's offense.
- Alec Pierce player · positive
“Alec Pierce was only eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, but Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing Alec Pierce's production and potential for growth with more targets.
- Josh Downs player · negative
“but Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Mentioned as having seen statistical regression in the previous season.
- Ashton Dulin player · positive
“a combination of free agent signing Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and longtime core special teams contributor Ashton Dulin will likely step up on the boundary.”
Mentioned as a potential addition to the wide receiver room.
- Daniel Jones player · negative
“before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Mentioned as the reason for a decline in offensive pace.
- Michael Pittman Jr. player · negative
“Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing the team's wide receiver situation and potential for growth.
- Daniel Jones player · negative
“before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Mentioned as the reason for a decline in offensive production.
- Josh Downs player · negative
“Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing the team's wide receiver wide receiver situation and potential for growth.
- Michael Pittman Jr. player · negative
“Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Noted for his recent decline in production and trade to the Steelers.
- Daniel Jones player · negative
“before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Mentioned as a reason for the team's offensive struggles.
- Michael Pittman Jr. player · negative
“Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing his decline in production and subsequent trade/move to the Steelers.
- Daniel Jones player · negative
“The Colts were on pace to have one of the league's best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones' season-ending injury.”
Season-ending injury derailed offensive potential
- Indianapolis Colts team · neutral
“The Colts were on pace to have one of the league’s best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Discussing the team's offensive trajectory and roster changes.
- Alec Pierce player · positive
“Alec Pierce was only eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards... Indianapolis opted to retain Pierce on a $28.5MM per year deal”
Discussing the team's investment in him as their primary wide receiver.
- Indianapolis Colts team · neutral
“The Colts were on pace to have one of the league’s best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Discussing the team's offensive performance and roster changes.
- Pittsburgh Steelers team · neutral
“sent Pittman to the Steelers in a late-Day 3 pick swap.”
Mentioned as the destination for Michael Pittman Jr.
- Deion Burks player · neutral
“Seventh-round pick Deion Burks... will likely provide depth in the slot.”
Expected to provide depth for the team's receiving corps.
- Tyler Warren player · positive
“the Colts are hoping to get even more out of 2025 first-rounder Tyler Warren after his Pro Bowl rookie year.”
Expected to be a productive tight end in the passing game.
- Indianapolis Colts team · neutral
“The Colts were on pace to have one of the league’s best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Discussing the team's offensive performance and roster changes.
- Alec Pierce player · positive
“Alec Pierce was only eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, but...”
Discussing the team's wide receiver situation and potential for growth.
- Pittsburgh Steelers team · neutral
“sent Pittman to the Steelers in a late-Day 3 pick swap.”
Discussing the team's wide receiver situation and potential for growth.
- Josh Downs player · negative
“Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing his decline in production and target volume.
- Josh Downs player · neutral
“Josh Downs both saw statistical regression from the year prior.”
Discussing his recent performance dip and potential for a bounce back.
- Alec Pierce player · positive
“Alec Pierce was only eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards, but... Indianapolis opted to retain Pierce on a $28.5MM per year deal”
Discussing the team's investment in him as their new WR1.
- Ashton Dulin player · neutral
“longtime core special teams contributor Ashton Dulin will likely step up on the boundary.”
Expected to contribute more in offensive roles.
- Indianapolis Colts team · neutral
“The Colts were on pace to have one of the league’s best passing offenses in 2025 before Daniel Jones‘ season-ending injury.”
Discussing the team's offensive trajectory and roster moves.
- Pittsburgh Steelers team · neutral
“sent Pittman to the Steelers in a late-Day 3 pick swap.”
Mentioned as the destination for Michael Pittman Jr.