The Indianapolis Colts have gotten off to a surprising 2-1 start despite some challenges they have had to overcome. The Jonathan Taylor saga dominated headlines for weeks in the offseason, as they are going to be without their star running back for at least one more game.
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, who earned the starting job this offseason, and starting center Ryan Kelly both suffered concussions in Week 2. That left them without three key offensive players in Week 3 against the Baltimore Ravens, but it didn’t stop them from pulling off a win.
In a surprising turn of events, the Colts are currently the only team in the AFC South with a winning record. The division could be more open than people thought coming into the season, which has Indianapolis considering a change of plans.
According to a source who spoke to NFL Analysis Network, the Colts could be buyers ahead of the October 31st trade deadline. Indianapolis is seeking out potential improvements for their passing game, checking in on the wide receiver market.
“The Colts have looked into wide receivers who could be available for trade before the deadline. Mike Evans, Jerry Jeudy, and JuJu Smith-Schuster are names that have been of interest.”
Michael Pittman Jr. has shown that he is capable of being a No. 1 receiver in the NFL, but the production behind him is still inconsistent. 2022 second-round pick Alec Pierce has yet to find his footing consistently. The Colts have to be happy with the early returns on third-round pick Josh Downs, who has 15 receptions for 124 yards working out of the slot.
Out of the three players the source mentioned, Mike Evans would likely be the best fit. He could slot into the lineup opposite Pittman, giving Richardson two excellent options on the perimeter to work with as Downs works the slot.
If the team is looking for more of a long-term fit, Jerry Jeudy would be their guy. In his fourth season in the NFL, Jeudy is closer to the timeline that Indianapolis so working on than the other two aforementioned targets.
JuJu Smith-Schuster was someone that the Colts could have signed in free agency this offseason, so interest in him is peculiar. If they didn’t pursue him at the price he signed for, it would be hard to imagine they would want to acquire him now while giving up other assets.
