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INDIANAPOLIS – For the first time in 20 years, the Colts won't have a wide receiver named Harrison or Wayne running out of the tunnel.
Despite losing one of the Colts all-time greats in Reggie Wayne, the team's wide receiver group will have a distinct look to them in 2015.
Here's a look at the wide receiver burning questions heading into the Colts offseason program:
- How does T.Y. Hilton follow up his first Pro Bowl campaign?
Back in the 2012 NFL Draft, it was the size of T.Y. Hilton that scared teams away from him.
Their fright of Hilton is still there three years later.
This time it comes from opposing defensive coordinators preparing for one of the game's most electrifying pass catchers.
Where Hilton's game really blossomed in 2015 was how he handled the brunt of being a true No. 1 receiver.
While the No. 1 label didn't hold Hilton back from still lining up all over the Colts offense, he proved to be a reliable target on intermediate routes.
Of Hilton's 82 receptions last year, 62 of them went for first downs (7th best percentage in the NFL).
The double teams and rolled coverages are only going to continue in Hilton's direction in 2015.
His ability to adjust to being the top offensive threat has been impressive for a receiver of his frame.
Hilton should continue to flourish in 2015 and it's not like he needs many targets to instantly change a game.
|
T.Y. Hilton's Career Stats | ||||
|
|
Receptions |
Yards |
Touchdowns |
First Downs |
|
2012 |
50 |
861 |
7 |
30 |
|
2013 |
82 |
1,083 |
5 |
46 |
|
2014 |
82 |
1,345 |
7 |
62 |
STAT TO NOTE: Hilton's 3,289 career receiving yards are the most in Colts history for a player after three seasons. That total is actually 569 more yards than any other player.
- How will the Colts complement Hilton with Andre Johnson and Donte Moncrief?
While T.Y. Hilton is the most dynamic playmaker for the Colts, the Johnson/Moncrief duo might be the most important come playoff time.
The Patriots have excelled in limiting Hilton in previous matchups and the Colts have not been able to make up for that loss in production.
Johnson alluded to that in his free agent visit to Indianapolis last month.
At 6-3 and 220 pounds, Johnson has the frame and numbers that still warrant plenty of attention from opponents.
Possessing a similar body-type to Johnson is the second-year receiver in Moncrief.
Chuck Pagano spoke very highly of Moncrief at last week's League Meetings and rightfully so.
Along with ideal receiver size, Moncrief has plenty of breakaway ability.
These two are going to have their chances in one-on-one matchups throughout 2015. If they can consistently win them, the Colts passing game will flourish again.
STAT TO NOTE: Andre Johnson has averaged an NFL-best 6.0 receptions per game which is the top mark in league history.
- What should be expected from Duron Carter?
The first signing of the Colts 2015 offseason has never played in an NFL game, yet might have the most anticipation from the fan base of any new addition.
As the son of Hall of Famer Cris Carter, the 23-year-old Duron has the physical makeup to excel at the highest level of football.
He gets that chance in an ideal scenario with Andrew Luck.
When I think about expectations for Carter, I look back at Moncrief from last year.
Moncrief began 2014 as the Colts No. 4 wide receiver and the early thought was it would be difficult for him to really find his way into the offensive game plan, due to so many established weapons.
Eventually, Moncrief proved too talented to keep off the field.
Will Carter follow a similar path?
STAT TO NOTE: Donte Moncrief is one of seven Colts rookies to record multiple 100-yard receiving games in a single season.**
Will we get a chance to see the two-tight end duo of Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen for extended periods in 2015?**
One area that will impact how much we see from Carter and Moncrief in 2015 will be thanks to the pair above.
We saw it for a stretch in 2014, but have yet to fully experience what the Colts offense can look like with a healthy Allen and Fleener.
Both were extremely productive in 2015 and their presence together allows the Colts to have that offensive balance from a formation, and execution look.
Allen doesn't hold back when talking about how much this season means to him and how critical his health is to the Colts offense.
If this duo can stay healthy in 2015, the Colts will have the ability to maintain their unpredictability with multiple tight end sets thanks to the versatile tight ends entering contract years.
STAT TO NOTE: In 2014, Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener became the first tight end duo in NFL history to record at least eight receiving touchdowns in a single season.
ICYMI: The Running Back Burning Questions](http://www.colts.com/news/article-burningquestions/Running-Back-Burning-Questions-Heading-Into-OTAs/48fc1e5e-84a5-4cde-b17a-592d80a9fbe2)*
