Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Marcus Johnson will be an unrestricted free agent on March 18.
Johnson was a restricted free agent, but the Colts will not extend a contract tender to the three-year veteran.
Colts won’t render WR Marcus Johnson as a restricted FA, per report. #NFL #Colts pic.twitter.com/uXSNsGawgJ
— Nfl News (@NflNews1217) March 6, 2020
The decision is a bit of a surprise since Indianapolis is strapped at the position.
Johnson came off the practice squad in November last season to catch 17 passes for 277 yards and 2 touchdowns.
He had a career game in Week 14 versus Tampa Bay.
Johnson caught 3 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown against the Buccaneers.
He caught 4 passes in a game twice.
His catch total was one behind Parris Campbell for third-most among Colts wide receivers.
Where Does That Leave the Colts Receiving Corps?
Williams´ release from restricted free agent status leaves Indianapolis with some holes at wide receivers.
TY Hilton struggled through injuries last year to finish with 45 catches for 501 yards.
This can't be said enough, Colts WR TY Hilton could have easily used his calf injury to mail it in on the season after they were eliminated from playoffs. He had no interest in doing that. Instead he's out there gaining 33 yards on a catch-and-run in Week 17.
— Mike Wells (@MikeWellsNFL) December 29, 2019
Zach Pascal emerged as a starter with 41 catches and 607 yards.
Each player had 5 touchdowns.
Parris Campbell (18/127/1 in 7 games) ended the season on injured reserve.
Chester Rogers caught 16 passes before ending his season on injured reserve.
Devin Funchess´season ended in Week 1 with a badly-fractured collarbone.
Sources: The #Colts don’t plan to activate WR Devin Funchess off Injured Reserve by the deadline of Dec. 4, meaning he can’t play this season. He’s recovering from a fractured collarbone, and the plate inserted into the break did not work out as hoped. He hasn’t healed enough.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 1, 2019
Funchess and Rogers are free agents in 2020.
Dontrelle Inman remains on the roster had 4 catches in 3 games after being signed in December.
But he will be an unrestricted free agent later this month.
Chad Williams and Ashton Dulin round out the 2020 roster.
Jack Doyle and Mo Allie Cox return at tight end.
What Does It Mean For the Colts?
Johnson´s uncontested release bolsters the assumption Indianapolis will add wide receivers to their roster.
The question is how they go about it.
This year´s free agency group includes dozens of wide receivers.
💥 UPCOMING NFL FREE AGENTS: WIDE RECEIVERS 💥
Amari Cooper is the biggest fish in this year's free-agent wide receiver pond; here's @DFF_Shane with a look at Cooper and a handful of other free-agent WR options heading into the 2020 free-agent frenzy:https://t.co/asOIWbF7C4
— FantasyPros (@FantasyPros) January 20, 2020
Amari Cooper, Emmanuel Sanders, and Robbie Anderson are among the available wideouts.
Indianapolis could bring back Funchess or Rogers if they are healthy.
There is also a reason over 50 wide receivers were invited to this year´s NFL combine.
The draft is packed with potential rookie starters.
If the Colts draft a quarterback in the first round, drafting a receiver or two later makes sense.
Jalen Reagor of TCU and LSU´s Justin Jefferson are just two of many who could available in the second round or later.
Indianapolis might address some defensive positions first.
But they can find some promising young pass-catchers in the later rounds, too.
What About Johnson?
Johnson showed flashes of his ability in the past two seasons.
#TouchDownTuesday
Beautiful touchdown catch by Marcus Johnson from 2018Johnson is currently a #Colts free agent as of end of season
— Peyton2Luck 🏈 (@Peyton2L) March 3, 2020
With parts of three seasons under his belt, he should get a look from teams looking for wide receiver depth.
But a crowded field won´t help Johnson land a position.
At the very least, Marcus Johnson should find a practice squad spot on a team willing to continue his development.
He could even wind up back in Indianapolis when all is said and done.
NEXT: Indianapolis Colts Given Best Odds To Land Nick Foles
