The Colts are ranked as having around a league average receiving unit, so there’s some definite work to do in 2025.
According to PFF’s Trevor Sikkema, the Indianapolis Colts have the NFL’s 17th best receiving corps headed into the 2025 campaign:
17. INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
How can you not love the Colts’ pass-catching depth? Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs and Alec Pierce each racked up 800-plus receiving yards in 2024, and Pierce and Downs both earned elite 99.1 PFF receiving grades on deep passes (tied for 11th). Even if AD Mitchell hasn’t broken out yet, his status as the team’s fourth-best receiver showcases the group’s depth.
Now, rookie tight end Tyler Warren enters the mix (93.1 PFF receiving grade at Penn State in 2024), making this a group that could very easily climb these rankings.
It’s worth noting that the Colts were ranked 22nd last year by PFF, so this marks a bit of an improvement year-over-year.
While the Colts lack an elite, ‘alpha-dog’ in the Ja’Marr Chase or Justin Jefferson mold—or during the franchise’s ‘glory years,’ Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, it’s a very deep wide receiver room right now with some solid options across the board.
Veteran Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce are projected to start along the outside, with Josh Downs manning the slot—with 2nd-year wideout AD Mitchell rotating in.
There’s also Anthony Gould and Ashton Dulin for greater depth lower on the depth chart.
The big offseason addition should be prized Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, who should provide a sure-handed, versatile receiving option that the franchise really hasn’t had recently. The Colts have gotten next to nothing receiving-wise from the tight end position, so Warren should be a welcome addition for a Colts offense that needs a middle of the field presence—and one that defenses need to account for beyond just Downs at wideout.
If Mitchell takes another step forward, and Warren is as elite as advertised, and the Colts could ascend in these league-wide receiving rankings very rapidly. Of course, the play of Indy’s starting quarterback next year could also cap their upside and production too.