Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
The Indianapolis Colts didn’t have a glaring need to fill in last week’s 2015 NFL Draft, but their first-round selection of wide receiver Phillip Dorsett definitely raised some eyebrows. Dorsett is an extremely similar player to T.Y. Hilton, the Colts leading wide receiver last season. Hilton’s contract expires after the 2015 season, so it makes perfect sense to wonder if Dorsett was drafted to be his replacement in 2016 and beyond.
Hilton had a huge breakout season in 2014-15. The 5-foot-9-inch speedster is one of the best deep threats in all of football and routinely hooked up with Andrew Luck to burn opposing defenses. In total, Hilton hauled in 82 passes for 1,345 yards and seven touchdowns. His 1,345 yards ranked sixth in the NFL and his 16.2 yards-per-catch average ranked third amongst players with at least 50 receptions.
Behind Hilton, the Colts now have an abundance of riches at the wide receiver position. Andre Johnson was brought over from the division-rival Houston Texans and last year’s third-round pick Donte Moncrief figures to be an improved player in his second year in the league. Few quarterbacks throw the deep ball, or any pass really, as well as Luck, so Dorsett will likely see the field in his rookie season and be tasked with taking the top off of defenses along with Hilton.
Hilton and Luck have developed some of the best quarterback-wide receiver chemistry in the league. The Colts would be foolish to let Hilton walk this season and hope that Dorsett is able to slide in and be nearly as productive. First-round receivers often fail to live up to the lofty expectations, and while I’m not saying Dorsett won’t become a great player, it’s just a risk not worth taking for a team in position to win the Super Bowl. Hilton is a franchise type of receiver and a player the Colts should do whatever it takes to have around for the foreseeable future.
Seth Lassen is a writer for RantSports. ‘Like’ him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @Seth_Lassen.
