Do the Indianapolis Colts already have an answer at wide receiver?
The Indianapolis Colts may already have a trick up their sleeve in their bid to strengthen the wide receiver group this offseason.
Indianapolis Colts second-year wide receiver Deon Cain promises to provoke intrigue over the coming months as he gears up for what will be a long-awaited NFL debut. He is yet to play a competitive snap on the pro stage since being plucked from Clemson in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft.
The 22-year old saw his maiden campaign end before it ever really began last August when a torn ACL, suffered in the first preseason game against the Seattle Seahawks, confined him to a place on injured reserve. Head coach Frank Reich’s glistening project has since entailed the emergence of a versatile and absorbing offensive unit.
Quarterback Andrew Luck flourished behind a formidable offensive line, feeding an outstanding tight end corps as well as favourite target T.Y. Hilton, with added support at running back from a Marlon Mack, who only seemed to get better as the season progressed. The Colts remain in great shape on offense, and yet pieces are still deemed to be missing from the puzzle.
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That includes plugging a No. 2 receiver void to serve in assisting Hilton, who finished with 76 catches for 1,270 yards and six touchdowns. Next behind him was tight end Eric Ebron with 66 catches for 750 yards and 13 visits to the end zone. Here lies an opportunity for Cain to revert almost to a rookie mentality again in view of proving himself over the summer.
Cain is expected to be fit for the start of training camp, but only then will his role in 2019 start to become slightly clearer. Speaking at January’s combine, general manager Chris Ballard told 1070 The Fan’s Kevin Bowen:
"“We liked him a lot when we drafted him. We really liked him through OTA’s and Training Camp.“He’s worked awfully hard to come back from this injury. He hasn’t missed a day. He’s on track to be ready for Training Camp.“For us to sit here and say no doubt this guy is going to be our No. 2 receiver, I can’t sit here and say that. Do I think he has two ability? Absolutely I do. But to say he’s going to reach that after his rookie season, I’m not there.”"
It’s for the gruelling nature of rehabilitation from an ACL injuury that the Colts may still look to recruit more weapons for Luck in the upcoming draft and throughout free agency. Doing so wouldn’t necessarily be indicative of Cain’s involvement, but instead represent the organisation covering all bases.
The Colts are evidently prepared to be patient with a player that turned heads in his early practices last year. Cain’s 6-2 frame and usage in college suggest a valuable option out wide as opposed to in the slot upon his return to action.
An ability to absorb contact and out-leap defenders would give the Colts welcomed variation to Hilton’s speed on deep routes, while also keeping to the flexibility offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni has employed with tight ends.
On his early impressions of Cain in August, Reich told ESPN:
"“One of the traits Deon was flashing with some consistency was an ability to really win versus press coverage.“We know we have something special in Deon Cain. He’s a young guy who can develop into a great player.”"
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Here’s a guy with the talent to give a blossoming franchise another welcomed boost at a position where they need it entering 2019.