The Indianapolis Colts should feel good about their offseason, but there is still a hole
There needs to be another wide receiver that can play across T.Y. Hilton.
As of now, the Colts have Parris Campbell and Zach Pascal as receivers that can play in 2020.
However, by signing 38-year old Phillip Rivers to a one-year deal, the Colts are “all in” for this season.
The team can’t move forward without the best possible weapons for their quarterback.
Even though free-agent options are practically gone, the Colts can still make a trade.
Let’s take a look at three wide receivers the Colts should try and acquire.
1. Curtis Samuel-Carolina Panthers
With Robby Anderson signing with the Panthers, there are ramifications for Curtis Samuel.
D.J. Moore and Christian McCaffrey will be the premier weapons, so the Panthers could have an interest in parting ways with the former 2017 second-round pick.
Curtis Samuel lays out for the snag
(via @Panthers) pic.twitter.com/4PPqHF6EJm
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) May 28, 2019
In 2019, Samuel made his own impact.
The former Ohio State product averaged over 10 yards per reception and was top-20 in the league in air yards.
His 2019 stats included 54 receptions for 627 yards and six touchdowns.
That was with backup quarterback Kyle Allen throwing the ball the majority of the season.
A trade would all come down to compensation.
2. Brandin Cooks-Los Angeles Rams
After giving massive contracts to Jared Goff and Todd Gurley, the Los Angeles Rams were entrenched in salary cap hell.
That is precisely why the Rams released Gurley, which led to the running back signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
The franchise appears to not be done.
According to Jeff Howe, the Rams are placing wide receiver Brandin Cooks on the trade block.
The Athletics’ Jeff Howe reports the Rams have made WR Brandin Cooks available for a trade.
— LTFF (@LTFFNews) March 19, 2020
The Colts are a perfect match for Cooks.
Cooks had a down year in 2019, finishing with just 42 receptions for 583 yards and two touchdowns.
That was just one year away from 2018, where Cooks had 80 receptions for 1,204 yards and five touchdowns.
Just when you thought the Rams couldn’t be any more unstoppable…
Enter Brandin Cooks
(via @thecheckdown)pic.twitter.com/CGTLM8HVVG— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) September 28, 2018
According to Over The Cap, the Colts have $27 million left in cap space.
The Colts could offer a fifth-round pick or a seventh-round pick while absorbing the $16.8 million cap hit.
3. Sterling Shepard-New York Giants
The Giants are on a full rebuild and could regret giving Shepard a four-year contract extension.
Shepard has played a full season in two of his four seasons.
In 2019, Shepard played in 10 games and finished with 576 receiving yards on 57 receptions.
It was one year away from finishing with 872 yards receiving in 2018.
Daniel Jones to Sterling Shepard for a Giants touchdown!!!!! What a drive! pic.twitter.com/AVXc3FgUAf
— Bobby Skinner (@BobbySkinner_) December 1, 2019
Shepard has three years remaining on his contract extension worth $41 million and $26 million guaranteed.
If the Colts cannot field an offer during free agency, Shepard could still be a target once the season starts.
NEXT: 3 Late-Round Prospects The Colts Should Consider Drafting