The Indianapolis Colts fell to 3-3 thanks to an ugly offensive performance in a 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon, dropping the Colts into a second-place tie in the AFC South. Chris Ballard will have some decisions to make before the trade deadline. A team like the Dallas Cowboys or another contender could come calling for some names, including wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
The Colts are still right in the thick of the AFC playoff picture, which comes as a bit of a surprise. Many expected Indianapolis to finish toward the bottom of the standings this season.
As it stands, Indy will probably not be selling between now and the Oct. 31 NFL trade deadline, but if the Colts feel like they can’t make a legitimate run this season, they may very well decide to move some pieces over the next couple of weeks.
Wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. could be one of those pieces.
Pittman is set to be a free agent this offseason and has been somewhat of a disappointment since Indianapolis took him in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft.
After a relatively quiet rookie campaign in which he caught 40 passes for 503 yards and a touchdown, Pittman broke out in 2021, hauling in 88 receptions for 1,082 yards and six scores.
As a result of his impressive sophomore season, most felt that Pittman would continue his ascension in 2022, but instead, he regressed, finishing with 99 catches for 925 yards and four touchdowns.
Through the first six games of this year, Pittman has logged 40 grabs for 406 yards and a score, putting him on pace for possibly the best season of his career.
However, the Colts may be growing tired of Pittman’s lack of consistency.
Should Indianapolis attempt to move him, the Dallas Cowboys could come knocking and offer Indy fellow wide out Michael Gallup and a 2024 third-round draft pick in return.
Gallup is hardly an elite receiver and has been slowed due to injuries, but he could still represent a solid pass-catcher in the Colts’ offense. Plus, the club would add a solid draft pick to use in the offseason.
The Cowboys are in need of another receiver behind CeeDee Lamb, and Pittman would instantly become the team’s No. 2 guy.
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