Wide receiver Sammy Watkins. Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports

Colts eyeing former No. 4 overall pick after striking out at trade deadline

By Vinny Somma | Last updated 11/7/23

Averaging just 170 yards through the air over the last two weeks, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to boost their aerial attack. On Monday, they took a step towards doing so by hosting veteran wide receiver Sammy Watkins for a workout.

According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, the visit comes on the heels of an uneventful trade deadline for Indianapolis, who was in the market for a wideout.

In the wake of quarterback Anthony Richardson's season-ending shoulder injury, the Colts passing offense has been up-and-down with Gardner Minshew at the helm. Indianapolis ranks 16th in the NFL in passing YPG (220.8), while Minshew has failed to eclipse 227 yards passing in three of his five starts.

Gardner Minshew (9) to Drew Ogletree (2)
Indianapolis Colts
33 yards
pic.twitter.com/IHg64YONGm
— NFL TD Videos (@NFLTDsVideos) October 29, 2023

At receiver, Michael Pittman Jr. (593 yards) and rookie Josh Downs (483 yards) lead the charge. However, the latter went down with a knee injury in Week 9, leaving his playing status uncertain for this week's game against the New England Patriots. Aside from Pittman and Downs, no wide receiver on the roster has amassed more than 243 receiving yards nor found the end zone this year.

Josh Downs this season:

53 targets
0 drops pic.twitter.com/W1yVA71qyQ
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) November 4, 2023

Watkins, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2014 draft, is no threat to Pittman or a healthy Downs in the receiver pecking order. In reality, the former 1,000-yard receiver would likely serve as insurance for Downs and possibly challenge Alec Pierce for targets as the team's No. 3 option.

With a long reception of at least 49 yards in all but one of his nine seasons and a 14.8 YPR career average, Watkins' speed on the outside could add some juice to a middle-of-the-pack Colts pass offense.

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