Duron

Carter

The Colts are expected to keep five receivers, leaving Carter, Vincent Brown, and Griff Whalen to compete for one spot. Carter offers the most upside, but his lack of special teams value is working against him. Carter could draw interest on waivers if he doesn’t make final cuts.

Carter isn’t expected to be more than a No. 5 receiver this season. His roster spot isn’t assured behind T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, and Donte Moncrief. Carter’s three-year deal contains only $25,000 guaranteed.

Some NFL observers scoff at the CFL, but there is talent there in addition to top-notch talent evaluators. Popp is one of them. Duron is Hall of Famer Cris Carter’s son. “This guy can go in and be a No. 1 or No. 2 (receiver in the NFL),” Popp said. “He is phenomenal. ... He’s fast, 6-foot-4, can be a punt returner in the NFL with his size, can run with the ball, has got tremendous body control.” Originally a four-star high school recruit to Ohio State, Carter’s early-football years were plagued by attitude and off-field problems. Now 23, he appears to have his life together. He’ll be eligible to sign a reserve/future contract in 2015.

“Might be the best day we’ve seen from a player after a week,” a Colts source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter. After a nondescript OTA season, Carter has impressed in the early stages of camp. Carter needs to beat out Vincent Brown and Griff Whalen to avoid the practice squad.

Carter said he feels like a “bigger, better player.” Even if that’s the case, Carter will have a hard time cracking the 53-man roster, particularly with Andre Johnson, T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett ahead of him on the depth chart. He’s likely headed for the practice squad.

Carter was limited to one catch for 16 yards in Sunday’s preseason opener, but has been drawing generally positive practice reviews. His direct competition for a roster spot is Vincent Brown and Griff Whalen. Wells also has Brown making the team.

Carter was a hot free agent name out of the CFL in February, but he could not crack the Colts’ deep receiver depth chart, struggling throughout the preseason. Indianapolis would ideally like to stash Carter on the practice squad, but it is not a given he makes it through waivers.

Carter drew raves at training camp, but hasn’t translated it into games. The Colts want Carter to “play less robotic.” Carter is in danger of spending the year on practice squad if he doesn’t beat out Vincent Brown and Griff Whalen.

The Colts are hoping to sign Cris’ son to their practice squad and now have a chance. Carter was a disappointment during his first full NFL preseason.

Carter passed through waivers unclaimed after having a mostly-down preseason, catching just 9-of-20 targets for 126 yards and dropping a couple passes. He’ll develop on the practice field as the Colts’ No. 6 receiver behind T.Y. Hilton, Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett, Donte Moncrief, and Griff Whalen.