The Indianapolis Colts enter the 2014 draft with picks in the second, third, fifth and seventh rounds. It is no secret that the Colts need some fresh faces in the secondary and at center. But this season there was no deficiency was more glaring at times this year than at wide receiver. Losing Reggie Wayne really affected Andrew Luck, especially on third downs. While T.Y. Hilton looked amazing at times, the Colts definitely need to start grooming another pass-catcher. So, without further ado, let's examine some possible fits for the Indianapolis Colts at wide receiver.
Brandin Cooks, Oregon State
Cooks has the speed that the Colts crave and has a similar build to T.Y. Hilton or the recently departed Donnie Avery. The 2013 Biletnikoff winner can line up at flanker, split end, or the slot which makes him incredibly versatile. Cooks should be available if the Colts want to burn their first pick on him and with some tutelage from Wayne and Hilton, he could flourish.
Jordan Matthews, Vanderbilt
Matthews is gaining a lot of ground as he consistently produced for a less-than-ideal Vanderbilt team in the meat grinder that is the SEC. Matthews has great size and while he won’t run a sub-4.4, he has enough of a second gear to get behind the defense. Since Grigson took over as General Manager, we have seen incendiary speed valued a bit more than size but Matthews is such a blend of both that he would be hard to pass up if available.
Brandon Coleman, Rutgers
Coleman is another intriguing prospect as he has incredible measurable coming in at 6’6 and 220 pounds. Again, he has the wheels to catch Ryan Grigson’s attention but he needs to prove that he can run more than just the go-route.
Tevin Reese, Baylor
Reese fits the apparent mold of the new era of Colts receivers in that what he lacks in size he makes up for with blazing speed and playmaking ability. One of the traits that I personally look for in a receiver prospect is whether or not he plays aggressively. To coin a phrase, “I want him to play like a defensive back but catch like a receiver”. Reese possesses this mindset which could make him a late-round gem.
Sleeper: Albert Wilson, Georgia State
Georgia State started their football program in 2010 but for the past four years, they had one amazing offensive weapon. Wilson was at times a one-man show for the Panthers doing the bulk of his damage at receiver but also being the main kick and punt returner as well as an effective rusher. Wilson will remind some of T.Y. Hilton considering they both came from smaller schools where they were tasked with making magic happen with the ball in their hands.
While we still have another week or so of hearing why we should have never gotten rid of Peyton Manning, most savvy Colts fans know that his presence was gilding on an otherwise rundown team. As hard as it was to see him depart the Circle City, it was for the good of the team as a whole and it led us to draft arguably the best quarterback in the draft and start to build a winning foundation centered around controlling the line of scrimmage.
Colts fans will still watch the Super Bowl but I am certainly not alone in looking forward to those three days in May where we infuse some fresh blood into our beloved team via the 2014 Draft. However, before we start looking at that 4.3 speedster or that beast of a linebacker, remember that we don't have a first-round choice this year as we burned that on Trent Richardson.
Who do you think we will draft at wide receiver?