Close Article Return to stream X
NFL

Donte Moncrief Is the Indianapolis Colts’ Offensive X-Factor For 2015

+Read full article
Donte Moncrief

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts were the NFL‘s best passing offense last year, and they are expected to repeat once again this year assuming they stay healthy and play up to their potential. Obviously Andrew Luck is where everything starts, but the Colts have surrounded him with impressive talent at the wide receiver position.

Andre Johnson was signed in free agency to replace the aging Reggie Wayne, which is a major improvement in and of itself. T.Y. Hilton is expected to take another step forward this season, and second-year wide receiver Donte Moncrief is going to be the biggest surprise of all this season. He showed flashes of brilliance last year, and he will break out with a huge 2015 season.

Moncrief is the Colts’ offensive X-factor heading into the 2015 season, and he will be a huge key for them if they want to realize their Super Bowl dreams.

During his rookie season, Moncrief ended up catching 32 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns. He showed off above average athleticism and is a very physical receiver as well. Some of the catches that he made were impressive to say the least, and there is no doubt that he is in for a bigger role this year even as the third receiver on the depth chart.

At 6-foot-2 and 221 pounds, Moncrief is an extremely difficult cover for the average defensive back. Couple that with the fact that he is normally going up against an opponent’s second or third cornerback and it gives him a major advantage nearly every time he steps onto the field.

Luck is going to need Moncrief to come through with a big season to help take pressure off of both Hilton and Johnson. If defenses choose to shut them down and allow Moncrief to beat them, then that is exactly what he will do. GM Ryan Grigson also drafted Phillip Dorsett in order to have more speed on the bench to use periodically as well.

Frank Gore is going to force defenses to respect the run much more than they have had to in the past against the Colts. Last year, defenses didn’t have to focus on either Trent Richardson or Dan Herron, and that made Luck’s job twice as difficult.

Needless to say, it is going to be a very entertaining season for the Colts and Moncrief. He is ready for a bigger role, and he began showing that late last season. He has the potential to become a star in the NFL, and learning from Johnson is going to be key for him as well. Moncrief has a very similar body and game to what Johnson brings to the field, and he will want to learn everything he can from the veteran.

Evan Massey is the Green Bay Packers beat writer for www.RantSports.com, and also contributes across the NFL, MLB and NBA. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.

Your Favorites