Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has heard some of the criticism when it comes to the wide receiver room entering 2021 due to the lack of a true alpha.
After adding Carson Wentz via trade this offseason, the Colts opted against adding a prominent wide receiver in free agency and the draft. Part of this is due to the way Ballard feels about the room.
“I’m betting on Michael Pittman, who I think’s got a chance to be really good,” Ballard told Robert Mays on ‘The Athletic Football Show.’ “I thought he ended the year strong. He had a big playoff game with over 100 yards. Everybody just ignores Zach Paschal, but all he’s done is catch (10) touchdowns over the last two years. And then getting Parris Campbell back is a big bonus and he’s looked great during the offseason. We think we’re a little better than other people do.”
Pittman Jr. will be the player to watch in the room to see if he can have a Year 2 leap as the team’s WR1. They did bring back T.Y. Hilton on a one-year deal, and he could benefit from Wentz wanting to look more downfield.
Even with the lack of an alpha in the room, Ballard is still bullish on what the unit can do.
“They’re a talented group,” Ballard said. “Is there a guy that, you know, you just line up and go, ‘Holy crap man, how are we gonna stop this guy?’ Maybe not, but they are really damn good players, and T.Y. Hilton can still play. He can still play. T.Y. Hilton is as competitive and as good a teammate as I’ve ever been around.”
It will be interesting to see how productive the wide receiver room is with Wentz behind center. If Pittman Jr. can ascend to be a solid WR1 with Hilton and Parris Campbell serving as complements, the passing offense shouldn’t take too much of a hit.
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