Phillip Dorsett Will Emerge as a Surprise Contender for Rookie of the Year

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Phillip Dorsett may have found the worst way possible to kick off his NFL career. The 29th overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft fumbled on not one but two punt returns in his team's 27-14 fall to the Buffalo Bills.

Already criticized as being the wrong pick by a team who would have been better served choosing a defensive player, Dorsett might have alienated what few avid supporters he had in the first place. So why elevate him to such a lofty projection?

Redemption—among other things.

With primary receiver T.Y. Hilton taking a temporary, injury-induced backseat, veteran Andre Johnson to guide him and one of the league's elite quarterbacks in Andrew Luck delivering the kinds of throws pass-catchers dream of, Dorsett can't fall...

...because he already has. Big time.

After the catastrophe that was Dorsett's debut, he likely has built a chip on his shoulder the size of Texas. The reviews and in-game commentary kept rolling in, and it was ugly; deservedly so:

Despite all the negative chatter, the University of Miami product seems to have acknowledged his mistakes and moved on.

“I’m not going to make any excuses about the ball being wet,” Dorsett said, per ESPN.com's Mike Wells. “I mean, everybody’s playing in it. I already knew it was going to be raining. I already knew the ball was going to be wet. I just have to lock the ball up."

While it's admirable that Dorsett is owning up to his responsibilities, not cutting him at least a little bit of slack on his first outing would be unfair.

As would be disregarding his entire body of work up until this point.

Let's not forget what made Dorsett worthy of a first-round pick in the first place.

Year	Receptions	Yards	Average	Long	Touchdowns
2011	14	147	10.5	31	1
2012	58	842	14.5	65	4
2013	13	272	20.9	68	2
2014	36	871	24.2	79	10

Dorsett's deadliest weapon is by far his speed. 

At the combine, the receiver posted a blazing 4.33-second 40-yard dash, bested at his pro day where he ran it in 4.29 and 4.27 seconds, per his NFL.com draft profile. He's a burner.

His ability to get downfield in a hurry is far from being Dorsett's only distinguishing factor, however.

Per NFL.com's Chris Wesseling, head coach Chuck Pagano said of Dorsett in May, "He's got really good hands. He's really smart. He's picked things up. He looks really good."

Those talents showed over the summer and during the preseason.

According to NFL.com's Marc Sessler, in the Colts' preseason fall to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dorsett showed "quick-cut ability and field speed" as well as "immediate ability to get open on his routes." Perhaps most importantly, however, Luck "looked for him repeatedly and showed good chemistry with the rookie."

Offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton agrees, per the Herald Bulletin's George Bremer: "He's a guy that our quarterback is starting to trust even more, and the more reps that he gets with Andrew the more he will be able to contribute in our offense."

Fostering and growing that relationship will be crucial to Dorsett's success, but the fact that such a good rapport already exists so early in Dorsett's career is a terrific sign.

Despite only playing for little more than a quarter, Dorsett finished with 51 yards on four receptions. Luck's attention more than likely had almost everything to do with that.

Naturally, the fourth-year quarterback won't be able to give Dorsett his undivided attention, however.

After a summer of free-agency spending (including retaining their own talent), the Colts have built a large pool of talented offensive players to call upon, including receivers Hilton, Johnson and Donte Moncrief as well as tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener and running back Frank Gore.

Initial speculation might lead one to believe that there simply aren't enough receptions, even in Indianapolis' pass-happy offense, to go around.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

But Dorsett's position in the crowd of receivers isn't a disadvantage at all.

For one, they provide him invaluable veteran wisdom. Former Texan Johnson took emerging receiver DeAndre Hopkins under his wing, and last season's Pro Bowl Reserve has nothing short of taken off.

Tips and tricks won't make the player, but they certainly won't hurt, particularly coming from an admired figure.

Perhaps more valuable, however, is what Indianapolis' other receivers will be taking away from Dorsett.

While teams will be forced to place their blue-chip defenders on Hilton, Johnson and Moncrief—until he earns the respect his talent deserves—Dorsett will be matched up against the lower echelon of defensive backs (or in other words, "whoever else").

Working against the designated "whoever else" will provide Dorsett an opportunity to get good, open looks. The "whoever else" are rarely quick—certainly not quick enough to keep up with Dorsett.

Even when the time that defensive coordinators finally rotate substantial talent over to Dorsett does come, it will be nearly impossible to cover every Colts receiver.

Between his exceptional wheels and Lucks' superior passing, Dorsett will find ways to get open and make plays.

For now at least, that will be less of the case. The crowd of Colts receivers has gotten a little thinner.

Unfortunate as it may be for the Colts as a unit, Hilton's injury might be Dorsett's lucky break—a sort of golden opportunity.

When Hilton exited in the third quarter of Sunday's game, Dorsett was finally inserted in the offensive lineup.

The rookie amassed 45 yards on two receptions, third best among all Indianapolis receivers: back-to-back 16-yard and 29-yard catches in the fourth quarter, per ESPN.com.

With a full 60 minutes of play to work with, it's entirely conceivable that Dorsett could top 100 yards receiving.

Remember that Texas-sized chip on his shoulder?

There exists no bigger stage than nationally televised football, and Monday Night Football's matchup against the Jets could provide Dorsett with the perfect opportunity to make a redemptive leap.

With Luck likely on his own war path following Sunday's upset, the two could go a long way to beginning the first-round pick's campaign for Rookie of the Year.

After all, now that expectations for the receiver have been decimated to a low point, he can really only go up.

Yes, Dorsett had a horrendous Week 1, but chances are, years from now, the debut will serve as a warning to never put too much stock in early performances.

As far as his supporters (or lack thereof), Dorsett has the only one he needs firmly in his corner.

"We've seen enough in OTAs and offseason programs and training camp," Pagano said, per ESPN.com's Mike Wells. "He has to trust himself, play with confidence. Go out and make plays. He's more than capable."