5 Wide Receivers the Indianapolis Colts Must Consider in the 2015 NFL Draft
With the Indianapolis Colts' addition of Duron Carter this offseason, the need to select a wide receiver in the NFL draft has decreased in many fans' eyes.
But the reality is that the team's wide receiver group is still very much a question mark and could use another young player to develop long-term. Neither Donte Moncrief or Carter are certainties, and Reggie Wayne and Hakeem Nicks' impending free agency leaves a big void at the "possession" receiver slot.
So, while the Colts likely won't spend an early pick on a wide receiver, don't be surprised if they snag one in the middle or later rounds.
After going through the bulk of the mid-to-late-round prospects at wide receiver in this year's draft, here are five receivers that the Colts need to investigate as they prepare for the 2015 NFL draft.
Phillip Dorsett, Miami
1 of 5
If Colts fans like T.Y. Hilton—and they do—then they're going to love Phillip Dorsett.
Dorsett is a mirror image of Hilton, from the deceptively quick acceleration to the way they cut after catching the ball underneath. Sure, I'm a Colts analyst, so I tend to think of the Colts first, but national draft analysts say the same thing.
The first thing you notice with Dorsett is his speed, much like it was with Hilton out of Florida International. Dorsett's double-move is legendary, with exceptional acceleration out of a hesitation. The speed makes him a big-play threat on any given play.
But like Todd McShay of ESPN explained when naming him the top player of the Senior Bowl, it's more than that with Dorsett:
"His ability to accelerate off his cuts is a trait he shares with all of the NFL's elite speed threats (I compared it Wednesday to in-his-prime Chris Johnson). But it's about more than just speed with him. He plays under control, getting in and out of his breaks quickly to create separation, and he has very good ball skills.
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While the Colts probably need a possession receiver more than another downfield threat, potentially having another Hilton-esque receiver has to leave Colts fans drooling. Dorsett needs some polish, but could learn that under Hilton before being asked to produce at a high level.
Being able to move Dorsett and Hilton both in and out of the slot would make for some tantalizing offensive sets.
Scout's Praise
"When I say Miami WR Phillip Dorsett destroys pursuit angles, this is what that looks like --> pic.twitter.com/MR64yxIEhF
— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) February 6, 2015"
Justin Hardy, East Carolina
2 of 5
With Reggie Wayne becoming a free agent this offseason, and possibly retiring, the Colts need a possession receiver for the future. Unless the team is planning on using T.Y. Hilton in the slot for the rest of his career, they need somebody who can read defenses, run precise routes and grow chemistry with Andrew Luck.
Enter Justin Hardy.
The 6'0", 188-pound receiver is as experienced of a route-runner as there is when it comes to short and intermediate tasks. Hardy not only has an extensive route tree, but he has experience releasing from the slot as well as outside, with success in both.
Hardy is the career FBS receptions leader for a reason, as he has strong hands that can snag a ball out of the air at full speed without a second thought. He's incredibly smooth out of his breaks, not necessarily explosive, but very quick. Ask Hardy to run a comeback route on the outside and you'll get a guaranteed 10 yards every time.
At his size, Hardy isn't as strong at the catch point as some might desire for a possession receiver, and he can get knocked off the ball. But his feel for coverages and technique in his route-running usually means that there's plenty of space between him and his defender.
If the Colts are looking for a potential possession receiver in the middle rounds, Hardy could be a stellar target.
Scout's Praise
"Justin Hardy is Amari Cooper after taxes. Tough to not have him in my top 10. Not as polished, but wins in similar fashion.
— Rummy (@RumfordJohnny) February 8, 2015"
Rashad Greene, Florida State
3 of 5
When I look at Greene I see a well-rounded, consistent receiver.
Unfortunately, that may actually end in his dropping down draft boards, as he doesn't have one elite trait that will wow scouts. Greene has a low ceiling, and low ceilings are a death sentence in a sport that craves potential.
But Greene could be a perfect complementary receiver, and that's exactly what the Colts need.
Greene runs crisp routes, has big hands that allow him to pluck the ball out of the air quickly and decisively and has deceptive speed. He's extremely versatile, able to run a tight, timing-based breaking route a play before breaking a double-move down the sideline. That versatility leads to drawing a lot of contact down the field, so even if he's not coming up with catches, he's often moving the chains.
If Greene makes it into the third round or later, he'd make an excellent contributor right from the start.
Scout's Praise
"FSU WR Rashad Greene may fall because he isn't special, but I like his precision in routes, focus, and hands. No real technical flaws
— Shane P. Hallam (@ShanePHallam) February 5, 2015"
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Kenny Bell, Nebraska
4 of 5
For a guy that could be had in the later rounds, Kenny Bell stood out in my film work.
The most impressive trait about Bell is his ability to adjust to the ball. Sometimes when that phrase is used, it's referring more to jump-ball situations. For Bell, it has a broader scope. Bell isn't as much of a big-play threat as some in this draft, but he has a good-sized catch radius and can adjust quickly to balls thrown at different angles.
Bell does a good job with his release at the line of scrimmage and makes quick cuts to get open on timing-based routes, something the Colts will be looking for in the eventual replacement for Reggie Wayne as a possession receiver.
The other thing about Bell is that he plays extremely hard. He's an excellent, tough blocker who blocks to the whistle and searches for contact in the run game, something that Chuck Pagano would be ecstatic over.
The downside on Bell is his limited strength. Defenders can throw him off of his game by getting physical with him and trying to disrupt his timing routes. He has a frame that could stand to add weight, but would he actually be able to build more muscle mass, or is his 185-pound body always going to be fairly lanky?
If Bell is still around in the later rounds, he's worth a look.
Scout's Praise
"Kenny Bell has a nice blend of Size, Speed, Quickness, Ball Skills to go with solid route running, blocking & he deals with press coverage well.
"
Dezmin Lewis, Central Arkansas
5 of 5
This year's small-school tall guy, the 6'4", 212-pound Lewis is an ideal red-zone threat that would fit in with the Colts' new theme of big receivers.
While the addition of Duron Carter makes Lewis less necessary, his potential to be a big-time possession receiver and red-zone specialist is too appealing not to take a chance if he's there late.
Lewis led the South in receiving at the Senior Bowl, catching three passes for 59 yards. I see him as a Da'Rick Rogers type, but (hopefully) without the head case. Lewis needs to clean up his route-running, but his ability to make just about any catch offsets that flaw for now.
While he's flashed strong body control, his precision in his routes (or lack thereof) screams of a player who needs more instruction. If the Colts can determine that he's a coachable player through the predraft process, he could be a high-ceiling player for a low cost.
Scout's Take
"Dezmin Lewis with a very good release and shows off his leaping ability: http://t.co/qJQLhrCB0U @Franchise_85_
— Fusue Vue (@lifesyourcup) January 22, 2015"
Kyle Rodriguez is Bleacher Report's lead featured columnist for the Indianapolis Colts. He is also the editor-in-chief of Colts Authority and Colts Academy and a PFWA Dick Connor Writing Award recipient. Follow him on Twitter for year-round Colts and NFL analysis.
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