The Indianapolis Colts could be looking to add depth at receiver behind superstar T.Y. Hilton this summer.
Depth at receiver was something that the Colts lacked last season and it hurt them when Hilton went down.
The Colts could be looking for cheap options to help fill out their roster behind Hilton and second-year receiver Zach Pascal.
Would adding a player like Rashard Higgins be a good idea for the Colts?
Who is Rashard Higgins?
Higgins was drafted in the 5th round during the 2016 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns.
He didn’t do much during his first season in Cleveland, but found some success in 2017.
Higgins finished with 27 receptions, 312 yards, and two touchdowns during his second year with the team.
He followed that up with 39 receptions, 572 yards, and four touchdowns in 2018.
It was a rough 2019 campaign for Higgins as he only saw 11 targets through 10 games in Cleveland.
The 25-year-old will head into free agency hoping that a change of scenery will do him good.
WR Rashard Higgins to test free agency but Cleveland wants WR back ‘at the right price.’ #NFL #Browns pic.twitter.com/aBFYJRYXdu
— Nfl News (@NflNews1217) March 2, 2020
His Outstanding College Career
Higgins hasn’t exactly made a name for himself in the NFL, but he was an absolute stud at Colorado State.
His first year he hauled in 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns, and it only got better from there.
As a sophomore Higgins finished with 96 receptions, 1,750 yards, and 17 touchdowns with Colorado State.
Higgins left for the NFL Draft after another strong showing as a Junior where he finished with 1,061 receiving yards through 12 games.
The talent is clearly there, but finding the right system has been the issue for Higgins.
The Awful 2019 Season
Higgins had some fantastic years in college and a breakout season in 2018 with the Browns, so why did everything go wrong last season?
He missed four games due to a knee injury, but sat out versus the Seattle Seahawks in Week 6 when he was healthy.
There was reportedly some issues between Higgins and the Browns coaching staff.
Head coach Freddie Kitchens and Higgins didn’t exactly see eye-to-eye, so that could be part of the reason that Higgins didn’t play much during the 2019 season.
That mark ranks 5th all-time in the PFF College Era (2014 to present).
1. Rashard Higgins, Colorado St (2014) 4.54
2. Michael Gallup, Colorado St (2016) 4.34
3. Amari Cooper, Alabama (2014) 4.25
3. Davante Parker, Louisville (2014) 4.25
5. Andy Isabella, UMASS (2018) 4.15 https://t.co/6RVVO0mGaY— PFF Draft (@PFF_College) March 5, 2019
Would Higgins Be A Good Fit in Indy?
There is obviously a need for receiver depth behind Hilton and Pascal, but is Higgins the right choice?
He signed a one-year $2 million deal with the Browns for the 2019 season.
It would likely be a cheap prove-it type of deal if the Colts were to sign Higgins.
His outstanding college year goes to show that he does have the talent to play wide receiver at the highest level.
He showed promise with the Browns in 2018 before the knee issues and locker room drama that occurred.
The Colts wouldn’t likely have to spend much to get this deal done, but would it be worth it?
How Could Higgins Impact the Colts?
Hilton is going to be the No. 1 receiver in Indy, so there’s no one that is going to pressure him for that spot.
Pascal had a nice breakout season in 2019, so he’ll likely remain the No. 2 receiver unless a big trade or signing happens.
Higgins could slide into the third spot on the depth chart because the Colts don’t have much depth or proven talent behind Hilton and Pascal.
It could be worth the risk if the Colts could get Higgins cheap and let him earn his spot on the team without committing to anything long-term.
Otherwise, the Colts could always draft someone or bring in a veteran player to fill the void, but it would be a shame to pass on Higgins who appeared to be becoming a reliable option in 2018.
Injuries happen and it could be nice to have a player like Higgins on the roster to help step up when things get rough.
NEXT: 3 High-Priced Free Agents the Indianapolis Colts Should Avoid