On Wednesday, The Athletic’s Zak Keefer tweeted the following about Indianapolis Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton:
TY Hilton, who’s entering a contract year in 2020: “I wanna be a Colt for life, but it takes two sides to get it done.”
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 13, 2020
Hilton, who is among the best free agents in 2021, was the No. 92 overall selection in the 2012 NFL Draft and has been one of the best receivers in the league since.
Out of Florida International University, Hilton has amassed 552 receptions, 8,598 receiving yards, and 45 receiving touchdowns in the NFL.
Each of those statistics leads all players in his 2012 draft class.
Hilton has made four Pro Bowls during his NFL career while all the other 2012 wide receiver drafees have combined for one Pro Bowl appearance.
Hilton’s Career with the Colts
Through eight seasons with the Colts, Hilton owns the fourth-most receptions, fourth-most receiving yards, and seventh-most receiving touchdowns in franchise history.
Hilton is in the top 20 among active players in the following categories: receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, all-purpose yards, and yards from scrimmage.
He is arguably the third-best wide receiver in Colts history, behind only Pro Football Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne.
Also, Hilton was an ironman during his first six seasons with the Colts.
He played in almost every game from 2012 to 2017.
Then in 2018, he missed two games in a single season for the first time in his NFL career.
Last season, a calf injury limited the eight-year veteran to just 10 games played.
Indianapolis struggled in 2019 and has not been the same team without Hilton.
He has missed just 10 games over the course of his Colts career, and the team owns a 1-9 record in those contests.
When Hilton has played, Indianapolis owns an impressive 69-49 record.
In 2019, he had his lowest career first downs, receiving yards, and yards per reception.
On the bright side, Hilton’s ball security is at an all-time best.
In 2019, he did not fumble for the second consecutive season.
He also had his career-best catch rate last season.
Hilton’s Adjustment to Philip Rivers
Even with Philip Rivers being a new quarterback for Hilton, there are high expectations for Hilton heading into 2020.
From 2006 to 2019, Rivers produced 10 different 1,000-yard receiving seasons for receivers.
Keenan Allen owns four of those impressive years, and Hilton can take over as Rivers’ primary receiving option:
Colts WR TY Hilton on his new QB, Philip Rivers: “I see Phil as a guy who can take our team to the next level.”
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 13, 2020
With Hilton excited to play with the eight-time Pro Bowl quarterback, he would like to meet up with him before training camp begins:
If there are no spring/early summer practices, TY Hilton says he plans on meeting up with Philip Rivers somewhere before training camp starts. The goal: “Get our timing down.”
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) May 13, 2020
The 38-year-old quarterback, who already has a job at an Alabama high school after retirement, may only be with the Colts for one year.
However, Hilton is all systems go with Rivers in 2020.
Frank Reich believes Rivers, the No. 4 overall selection in the 2004 draft, will succeed in the upcoming season.
Both Hilton and Rivers have had successful NFL careers thus far, but neither has won a Super Bowl.
The Colts will most likely be a part of a late-season battle for the top of the AFC South, and they have a chance to be a dark horse playoff contender.
If Hilton and Rivers are firing on all cylinders along with the team’s large number of offensive weapons, then the Colts can have high expectations in 2020.
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