Indianapolis Colts: Why the Urgency for a Wide Receiver

Many in the Indianapolis area and growing more and more impatient wanting to know who Jim Irsay is wanting to bring in as the next wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts owner has been hinting for the last two weeks he’s trying to strike a deal with someone.

Rumors were swirling that guys like Larry Fitzgerald, DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Macklin, Randy Moss, Brandon Lloyd or Darius Heyward-Bey would land here. None of those are far fetched either.

Why are they trying to bring in a guy on that magnitude anyway? The answer is a receiver is desperate need for this team.

After all the moves they’ve made this offseason, this is the one position they lack. Their defense will be dramatically improved but without another receiver, this offense may go down a bit.

The Colts have three receivers on their team right now. Reggie Wayne, T.Y. Hilton and LaVon Brazill will return to the team in 2013 and look to build upon their surprising seasons last year. In order for that to happen, they need to find Donnie Avery‘s replacement.

Avery wasn’t that big of a weapon, but Hilton and Brazill can’t start next year in his place. There’s no way is Hilton big enough to be a No. 2 receiver and line up on the outside of Luck. He’s more of a slot guy that runs seams or routes in the middle with being a matchup problem on anyone that lines up opposite of him.

If Hilton is lining up outside, his advantage goes down and become a disadvantage. He now takes on a cornerback that’s more his height with just as much speed and ability to stay with him. Hilton isn’t much of a leaper, so he can’t out jump those corners.

On the other hand, Brazill isn’t ready to start yet. He did a good job in a reserve role last season but he’s nowhere near ready to be as effective as Avery was. He’s a good backup option to come in again and learn the offense and grow a bit.

This is why the Colts are actively pursuing a wide receiver. They know they won’t get that starter in the first round of next month’s draft. The stud receivers are likely to go in the top 15 so unless the Colts move up, they’re likely to find the next starter through free agency.

What the Colts are looking for is a solid No. 2 option that is tall enough for a target but speedy enough for their style. They also need a guy that is clutch in the redzone and can stretch the field. Any of those guys listed above would be good fits — that’s why Irsay is desperately trying to get one of them.

Look for something to happen before the season starts.