INDIANAPOLIS – We are inching closer and closer to the 2021 NFL football season.
It’s time to pick back up our ‘burning questions’ series on 1075TheFan.com.
Here are our burning questions at the wide receiver position heading into the 2021 Training Camp:
1. Is Michael Pittman Ready To Be A No. 1 Wideout?
If you are going off the final game of Michael Pittman’s rookie season, this is a pretty good bet.
When the Colts drafted Pittman at No. 34 overall the expectation was that he would grow into a No. 1 wideout for Indy.
Is that time now?
Pittman showed signs as his rookie season moved along that he is approaching such potential.
With the Colts choosing not to make a significant move at wideout this offseason, and having some hesitancy in giving T.Y. Hilton a big one-year deal in free agency, the expectation is that Pittman can handle No. 1 duties.
The Colts saw Pittman bring a physicality to the receiver position that is not often seen.
If he can grow as a possession wideout who is winning 50/50 balls, the Colts will have a new No. 1 wideout.
STAT TO NOTE: In the Wild Card loss to Buffalo, Michael Pittman had a season-high 10 targets. He caught 5 balls for 90 yards against the Bills.
2. How Much Will T.Y. Hilton’s Role Change With Carson Wentz?
The arrival of Carson Wentz should greatly impact T.Y. Hilton’s 10th NFL season.
It was something Frank Reich noted earlier in the offseason, when explaining how Hilton’s role/usage will likely change a bit due to Wentz under center.
When you watched Hilton last year, his lack of normal production wasn’t necessarily due to him reaching the age of 31.
He played in 15 of 16 games and didn’t look limited physically.
But Philip Rivers and Hilton were not as in-sync as many thought they’d be following training camp.
Wentz’s presence should help Hilton tap into a few more big plays.
STAT TO NOTE: Since Andrew Luck’s retirement, T.Y. Hilton has had just one 100-yard receiving outing in 25 games played.
3. Will Parris Campbell Stay Healthy?
What an unknown and what a difference for the Colts if this answer is ‘yes.’
Injuries have absolutely decimated Parris Campbell’s first two seasons in the NFL.
It hasn’t happened often, but when Campbell is healthy, he’s been an important and unique piece for the Colts.
Whether from the slot, or touching the ball on jet sweeps and other parts of the field, Campbell’s speed is such a weapon for Frank Reich.
The Colts elected not to make any notable moves at wide receiver this offseason.
Was that a sign in their belief that Campbell will stay healthy? Is a jersey number switch the trick for Campbell?
The third-year wideout has been 100 percent since mid-May, so that should be a confidence boost for him entering camp.
STAT TO NOTE: Since September of Parris Campbell’s rookie season, he’s caught balls in just 3 total games. In that same span, the Colts have played 28 games.
