Is Duron Carter a good fit with the Indianapolis Colts?
By Nick Ziegler
The Indianapolis Colts’ offseason is underway after their loss to the New England Patriots in what will be know by some as the “Deflate Gate” game.
Instead of living in the past, the Colts will be looking to address needs.
This offseason could very well see the end to an era at wide receiver in Indianapolis as long-time Colt Reggie Wayne is not only a free agent but is also mulling retirement. Wayne has had a great NFL career, but Father Time is knocking on the door. In 2013 he played in just seven games due to a torn ACL and in 2014, he played in 15 games, totaling 64 catches–two for touchdowns. Wayne clearly showed signs of slowing down in 2014.
Wayne is not the only Colts wide receiver who will be a free agent as Hakeem Nicks is also not under contract for next season. Nicks looked like he was on the verge of being one of the best wide receiver in football a few years ago with the New York Giants. But in the last three seasons he’s been very mediocre, and his first season in Indianapolis was a disappointment.
In one of the best passing offenses in the NFL last season, Nicks caught only 38 passes for 405 yards, both career-lows in 16 games played this season.
As the Colts look to take the next step in the 2015 season, they will be looking to put as much talent as possible around their franchise quarterback Andrew Luck, and one wide receiver who could be a great fit for the Colts is Duron Carter.
Duron is the son of Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter. Like his father, Duron has a lot of talent and an ability to play the wide receivers position at a high level.
Carter played college football at two powerhouses in Ohio State and Alabama. But some off-the-field issues were a big part of him going undrafted in 2013 and bouncing around colleges.
Carter has had two very successful years in the Canadian Football League. In two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, he totaled a combined 124 receptions for 1,939 yards and a dozen touchdown catches. He has drawn the interest of multiple NFL teams.
The Colts seems to have the inside track to Carter as he met with the team earlier in the month. It seemingly went well as both Carter and his agent expressed interest in joining the Colts.
As any free agent would have concerns about, Carter will obviously be factoring in what offers come in once he’s allowed to sign after February 10th. Playing time also will be a factor on where Carter decides to end up.
It is still early to tell where Carter may land, but there is certainly a mutual interest between the Colts and Carter. With Carter’s 6’5″, 205-pound frame, he would be a great asset to the Colts’ red zone offense.
If Wayne’s time is indeed up in Indianapolis, adding a young wideout like Carter could potentially add up to some great things for Luck and the Colts’ offense in 2015.