Bolts not expected to sign veteran WR

The new was first reported by NFL Insider Jordan Schultz. With the Colts in need of a starting caliber receiver given Alec Pierce’s slow recovery from offseason ankle surgery, Allen was an obvious fit. He was the best wide receiver still available and with the news that the Saints lost Jordyn Tyson (hamstring) for roughly two months dropping earlier Monday evening, the Colts finally pulled the trigger on a one-year deal for the 34-year-old veteran. While Allen instantly becomes a fantasy-relevant player again, his fit in the offense is interesting. Even in his prime, Allen was never a field-stretching deep threat like Pierce, the receiver he’s replacing. That means he’ll be fighting for the same underneath targets that will also go to Tyler Warren and Josh Downs. There will be plenty of targets to go around for all three to pay off their draft cost in PPR formats, but the overall efficiency of the offense could suffer without a legitimate deep threat.

Popper believes McConkey’s “versatile skill set” will allow him to function as new OC Mike McDaniel’s passing game “focal point.” McDaniel antagonized defensive coordinators during his time as the Dolphins’ head coach by moving WRs Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle around via pre-snap motion. Popper believes McConkey’s 4.39-second 40 speed, shiftiness, hands, route running and post-catch abilities qualify him to serve as McDaniel’s “move piece.” McConkey’s Year 2 flop lurks in the background, but if his mid-tier WR2 best ball ADP carries over to re-draft leagues later this month — or even drops — that could end up looking like quite a bargain at the end of the year.

McConkey suffered a hamstring sprain in offseason team activities but the expectation all along was the he’d be ready for camp. Elevating near the WR2/WR3 borderline in ADP, fantasy managers are anticipating a breakthrough year three after last season’s disappointment. A full camp with Mike McDaniel and Justin Herbert should help.

Harris, a 2025 second-round pick, largely contributed as a dirty-work player last season, blocking in the run game and playing on special teams. That said, Harris led the wide receiver corps with 4.7 yards after the catch per reception via 46 targets. He fits new OC Mike McDaniel’s run-after-catch scheme. It sounds like Harris is penciled in as the Bolts’ WR3 right now, warranting late-round consideration in best ball formats.

We’ve had blurbs about a bounceback season for McConkey, but given how McConkey was behind Keenan Allen in targets last year and only 18 targets ahead of Quentin Johnston, this quote jumped off the page. McConkey managed 884 yards in the final 10 games of his rookie season, along with 197 more yards in the playoffs — the offense may be too deep to get him that level of production again, but he’s certainly shown he’s capable of great things as the No. 1 option. The offseason hype has already priced him right around WR20, so fantasy managers are already expecting a big year from McConkey despite last year’s dud.

Allen has played with Colts head coach Shane Steichen when Steichen was calling plays with the Chargers, so the pairing makes some sense there. Boyd seems to believe that Alec Pierce’s ankle-related absence may make the Colts try a play for a veteran wideout. It would be a weird fit between Allen and Josh Downs to have the offense revolve around two slot-majority wideouts if Pierce weren’t ready for the start of the regular season.

McConkey echoed Jim Harbaugh’s message that he doesn’t view it as a significant concern. It is at least a mild one considering it’s costing McConkey reps in a new offense, and could grow into a bigger one if he’s sidelined longer than the internal estimate. That said, most players recover from hamstring strains in weeks instead of months and there’s no reason to believe McConkey won’t be ready for camp.

Reporters haven’t spotted McConkey at recent practices, though Harbaugh said he will participate in individual drills today. This is likely just a minor injury and Harbaugh has said it “isn’t a big concern.” We’ll keep an eye on this but it probably shouldn’t impact his best ball position much from what we know now.

He cautions that there’s still a possibility the Ravens address the position late in free agency, as Stefon Diggs, Keenan Allen, Deebo Samuel, and DeAndre Hopkins remain available. Still, he has the experience edge over the two rookie receivers and barring an injury stash situation it’s hard to understand the Ravens not keeping two players they just drafted. Considering Lamar Jackson’s history and the potential upside in Declan Doyle’s offense, Walker is an interesting buy in fantasy at this point — it’s just hard to make the case that he’s got a real floor.

Speaking on the Up and Adams show, Hortiz said he has spoken with Allen’s representation this offseason. For now, Hortiz noted that the team is letting their younger talent grow and develop throughout the offseason program. After a down year in Chicago, Allen returned to form upon reuniting with Justin Herbert in 2025, posting an 81-777-4 receiving line with far better efficiency metrics. If Hortiz and Jim Harbaugh don’t think their receiver room is complete through OTAs and minicamp, Allen could be back in a Chargers uniform by the time training camp rolls around.