With training camp started, Colts general manager Chris Ballard is pleased with the wide receiver unit he has assembled around quarterback Anthony Richardson this season.
“One, I do like our set of weapons,” Ballard remarked on Wednesday. “I like AD Mitchell. I like (Alec Pierce). You know how I feel about (Michael) Pittman. And I believe (Josh) Downs is insanely good.
Ultimately, what matters is how the team plays on Sundays, but it’s understandable why Ballard feels this way.
Although Pierce has mostly been a downfield presence throughout his career, with 30 percent of his targets in 2023 coming 20 yards or farther downfield, his goal this summer is to demonstrate his versatility and ability to affect other areas of the field.
Pittman, on the other hand, has shown to be an extremely trustworthy target since his arrival in Indianapolis. Regardless of the quarterback situation, Pittman has produced, with 109 receptions and 1,152 receiving yards last year.
Mitchell’s 4.34 speed and route-running explosiveness will give a new dimension to the Colts’ offense. Mitchell has the speed to win downfield, but his route running ability allows him to be a threat at all levels of the field.
“I believe he possesses an uncommon capacity to separate at the top of routes. Shane Steichen stated, “He’s got an arsenal of releases versus press man, and it shows up on tape.”
“He’s going to bring that speed element and that big-play ability too as well.”
As the Colts’ primary slot receiver, Downs had an impressive and, according to Ballard, underappreciated first season.
He finished last year with 771 receiving yards, catching 72 percent of his targets and scoring two touchdowns. Downs finished eighth among all slot receivers in terms of yards. Downs led the Colts in missed tackles and average YAC per catch, with 30 first downs and 10 receptions of 20 yards or more.
“I don’t think it got talked about enough last year what Downs was able to do,” pointed out Ballard. “Downs has done some pretty incredible stuff lately, and I believe he’s poised to explode. So I believe we have enough weaponry there.
Ballard believes he has surrounded second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson with potential thanks to this collection of wide receivers, Jonathan Taylor’s return, and what should be a top-tier offensive line unit.
Realistically, with only 98 career dropbacks and 84 total pass attempts, Richardson is still an inexperienced player who may struggle. However, with the personnel around him, the Colts’ offense will not have to rely solely on him.
“We liked all the stuff we saw, but he’s still got to go prove it over the course of time, like any player does,” Ballard told reporters. “You can be a flash, but he needs to prove it over time. But we believe we have a terrific football team around him, so he doesn’t have to carry us.”
