One of the most interesting fights in Colts camp is happening at wide receiver, where the top of the depth chart still has some sorting out to do.
Alec Pierce and Josh Downs are part of the picture, but the bigger question is who settles in behind them. Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that the rest of the receiver pecking order still needs to be determined, and that means plenty of movement ahead as the team looks for someone to separate from the pack.
"Right now, we got moving parts right there and guys are moving around and got to step up and there's some competition in that room right now that we're excited about," Steichen said. "Dulin's a guy that's got to step up and Treadwell and Westbrook and the rest of those guys. So, I'm excited about that group and we're going to compete like crazy during training."
Ashton Dulin entered camp looking like the leading candidate for the WR3 job after offseason work, and that picture held some weight on Day 1. With Pierce sidelined, the Indy Star's Joel Erickson reported that Dulin and Laquon Treadwell were often running with the starting group alongside Josh Downs, which at least offers an early snapshot of where things stand.
Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, who arrived as a free agent, is also in the mix, and rookie Deion Burks could still force his way into the conversation for snaps.
Ballard also said the Colts would still "consider" adding another free agent at receiver.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardsons Colts Camp Day Left One Big Question
Training camp in Westfield has already taken on the tone the Colts want, with principal owner Carly Irsay-Gordon stressing the simple message of Find a way as the team opens its work in earnest. On the field, there was plenty to watch as veteran wideout Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. got chances to show their value, while the coaching staff kept things moving by rotating players through drills and giving the rookies a real look.
C.J. Allen and A.J. Haulcy were among the newcomers active in practice, the kind of early camp reps that can matter later when roster decisions start to tighten. For Richardson, the bigger question is not whether he can flash talent in camp, but how consistently he can carry that into the kind of daily work the Colts are pushing under this new standard. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Suddenly Have A New Name To Watch In WR Battle
Eli Pancols arrival in Indianapolis came quietly enough in November, after the undrafted wide receiver was released by Jacksonville and landed on the Colts practice squad. Since then, he has earned a look in practice and moved into the conversation as the team sorts through its wide receiver depth chart heading into the next phase of camp.
The competition for the No. 3 receiver job still has plenty of moving parts, with Ashton Dulin, Laquon Treadwell and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine also in the mix. For the Colts, the spot remains unsettled, and Pancol has given himself a chance to be more than just a depth name while the battle plays out. [Read more 🡒]