Indianapolis Colts: Full Position Breakdown and Analysis at Wide Receiver

Back in 2012, Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay told Jarrett Bell of USA Today that the team had “changed the model” after releasing Peyton Manning and drafting Andrew Luck.

After years of playoff frustration, Irsay wanted the Colts to build a well-rounded team, one defined by a balanced offense and a dependable defense. It was an understandable sentiment, although the way Irsay went about his comments may have seemed silly at the time.

Fast-forward three years, and the Colts look eerily similar to those Manning teams. It is a team that is defined by its quarterback and, to a lesser extent, its wide receiver corps. Much like those old Colts teams, the 2015 team looks to have one of the most talented groups of pass-catchers in the league.

But with so many viable bodies, how exactly do the 2015 Colts project to stack up? That's what we look at in this week's positional breakdown.

The Starters: A Wily Veteran and Emerging No. 1

Over the last three years, there has been some debate over the Colts' starting receivers. In 2012, Donnie Avery earned the start over rookie T.Y. Hilton, who was injured to start the season. In 2013, Darrius Heyward-Bey was the No. 2 at first, before Hilton surpassed him just as Reggie Wayne went down for injury. Headed into 2014, people wondered how Wayne would return from injury, if Hilton could really be a No. 1 receiver and if Hakeem Nicks could be a viable starter. 

Heading into 2015, there is no such debate. The Colts and their fans know, without a shadow of a doubt, who the top two receivers will be if all are healthy.

It starts with Hilton, who erased any doubts about him being a No. 1 receiver in 2014 with 82 catches for 1,345 yards and seven touchdowns. Hilton became the first Colts receiver not named Wayne or Harrison to have an 80-catch, 1,300-yard season, and he did it at a younger age than both of them (25). Harrison's first such season was at age 27, and Wayne didn't do it until he was 28.

As a reward for his stellar performance, Hilton was named to his first Pro Bowl, finished at No. 90 on Pro Football Focus' top 101 list and just this week was placed No. 35 on NFL.com's Top 100.

Hilton isn't on that elite tier of receivers, the Dez Bryant, Antonio Brown, Calvin Johnson tier, but he's a quality No. 1 with an ability to stretch the field, run precise routes to get open underneath and more jump-ball ability than you'd think given his size.

Just ask Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie:

Then, of course, is the chemistry with Andrew Luck, which has been completely apparent over the last two seasons, and it kills defensive backs. Combining Luck's gunslinger mentality with Hilton's deep speed gets you the vertical offense the Colts had last year, as Luck threw deep more than any other quarterback in the league, per Pro Football Focus.

Hilton's become more of a complete receiver in the last year, and it should bode well for his long-term place in Indianapolis. Hilton isn't just a one-trick pony. Sure, he's a deep threat, but he can move around on the line of scrimmage, playing inside or outside. He has sure hands, dropping just five passes on 87 catchable balls last year, per Pro Football Focus. And, as mentioned earlier, he's become a much more sophisticated route-runner.

But with Reggie Wayne ailing toward the end of last season, teams began to drop those underneath defenders back more and started doubling Hilton, which led to lesser playoff numbers than we've come to expect.

Year	Games	Catches (Per Game)	Yards	TDs
2012	1	8 (8)	66 (66)	0
2013	2	17 (8.5)	327 (163.5)	2 (1)
2014	3	11 (3.67)	211 (70.3)	0

This was especially true against New England, as the Patriots took Hilton away and dared the Colts' other receivers to beat them.

Enter Andre Johnson.

The wily veteran is ready to join a contending team and has already fallen in love with his new quarterback, calling Luck the best passer in the league earlier this month, per Kevin Bowen of Colts.com.

Johnson still has talent as a possession receiver, as seen by his averaging 102 receptions over the last three seasons in Houston. In an even better passing offense, Johnson should bounce back from a relatively down season last year, his first full season without gaining 1,000 yards since his rookie year.

The Colts needed that big-bodied possession receiver last year, especially when it came to converting third downs. Johnson should fill the role Reggie Wayne filled before Father Time took him, beating defenses in the intermediate areas of the field and giving Luck one of the most reliable security blankets in the league.

Johnson may not have the jaw-dropping numbers he put up at times in Houston, but the Colts don't need that from him. Luck likes to spread the ball out, and the Colts are loaded with weapons. But Johnson will be a heavily targeted receiver once again, this time in a good offense with a real quarterback.

The Battle for No. 3: Rookie Playmaker vs. Underrated Youngster

After Hilton and Johnson, things get a bit murkier.

Donte Moncrief, the Colts' third-round pick last season, figured to be the third receiver for Indianapolis, but then the Colts went out and drafted Phillip Dorsett, the speedster out of Miami, in the first round in 2015.

Now, Moncrief's job is in danger.

Not only is Dorsett a first-round pick, which adds a bit of mystique to the player, but he's tailor-made for a slot role, while Moncrief is more suited for an outside receiver, especially in the "X" role that will likely be mostly Andre Johnson's in 2015.

Of course, Moncrief does have the benefit of already playing in the league for a year, being a bigger receiver and having learned each position last season. While Dorsett may be more naturally suited for the slot, Moncrief's 85.7 percent catch rate in the slot would have tied Emmanuel Sanders for the league lead last season, and his 2.03 yards per route run in the slot would have been fifth in the league, per Pro Football Focus, right between Randall Cobb and Hilton.

However, part of the reason Moncrief's efficiency numbers are so excellent is because of his limited usage, and it's uncertain whether or not he could continue that kind of play with increased targets.

Meanwhile, Dorsett has taken the Colts' camps by storm this summer, impressing anyone and everyone that sees him play. Dorsett may end up being a more potent deep threat, while Moncrief is the red-zone player, or some kind of mix between the two.

The battle between the two for the third spot will be one of the most intriguing battles of training camp, and you can read more about the differences and similarities between the two in this comprehensive breakdown.

Depth Upon Depth: Duron Carter vs. The Rest

The rest of the Colts roster is likely fighting for one spot, unless the Colts choose to keep six wide receivers, which is a distinct possibility.

The leader for the one spot, however, is former CFL receiver and son of Hall of Famer Cris Carter. Duron Carter has had plenty of ups and downs to this point, but he chose to come to Indianapolis this offseason, to hopefully play in an on offense with Andrew Luck, an offense that should make his career successful.

Of course, that was before Andre Johnson and Phillip Dorsett jumped on board, and now Carter's spot on the Andrew Luck train is becoming a bit more uncomfortable.

Kudos to Carter, however, who has yet to complain about circumstances and merely keeps learning the playbook and trying to earn his spot. He will have to battle former San Diego Chargers draft pick Vincent Brown, Colts fan-favorite Griff Whalen and several undrafted free agents in order to make the final roster.

Carter's unique size and speed combination gives him an edge, as the 6'5" receiver is long enough to make plays over defenders, but fast enough to stretch the defense as well. With him, Moncrief and Johnson on the field, the Colts could have one heck of a red-zone unit.