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INDIANAPOLIS – When the Colts needed to stop the bleeding the most in 2018, Dontrelle Inman helped stich that wound up and return Frank Reich’s team to a much healthier state.
Back on October 16th, the Colts made a mid-week signing of Inman, hoping to stop the flood of drops that had contributed to Indianapolis having the worst record in the NFL (1-5) at that point of the season.
Inman did exactly that.
As a reliable, consistent and productive target for Andrew Luck, Inman quickly ascended up the depth chart and became a key weapon for this team throughout the rest of the 2018 season.
In 9 games with the Colts, Inman caught 71.8 percent of his passes, while averaging 10.9 yards per reception.
Listen to Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni, who both had history in coaching Inman during their time with the Chargers, describe the job Inman did with the Colts this past season:
“This guy is just a pro,” Reich said of Inman late in the season. “We knew getting him in the building that we would not only get production from him, but leadership. He has really provided that. I mean he is a really stabilizing, calming influence in the receiver room. This guy has been there, done that and has seen a lot of ball. He’s got a great perspective, a great work ethic and then is a really smart and savvy football player. His contribution has gotten more and more significant. Andrew’s trust in him and appreciation for what Dontrelle brings to the table is really fun to see and hear. I mean just to hear Andrew talk about how that trust has grown, really, now he is looking for Dontrelle. He is looking for Dontrelle and looking for reasons to throw the ball to Dontrelle. So that has been huge.”
“The way Dontrelle runs routes is very inviting for a quarterback,” Sirianni said after Inman started to make an impact with the Colts. “He’s easy to read. He can separate from defensive backs. He’s a big, long target. It only takes so many times for a receiver to pluck the ball out of the air really pretty for you to be like, ‘Hey, I want to throw you the ball.’ Dontrelle is a good pro. He always knows what to do. He’s just on it and that’s another reason why I think Andrew has been able to develop that trust.”
Inman, 30, clearly left a strong impression on the staff of the Colts and the quarterback.
Now, bolstering the receiver group and starting to think about post-T.Y. Hilton life has to be at the forefront of Chris Ballard’s mind this offseason. Ballard has addressed that very topic.
Going into 2019 with Inman as your No. 2 wideout would be malpractice.
But bringing back a player with these traits, who has the certain trust of his quarterback, would provide a calming influence inside the receiver room.
If the Colts had Inman in the mix as their No. 3/4-ish receiver in 2019, it would be a solid offseason in improving the wideout group.
The Colts entered the offseason with 15 unrestricted free agents.
–Adam Vinatieri: The team officially re-signed Vinatieri to a one-year deal on January 28th
–Mark Glowinski: The team officially re-signed Glowinski to a three-year deal on January 29th
–Matt Slauson: The veteran offensive lineman retired from the NFL on February 6th
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