The folks running the football operations in Indy are getting public pressure from above. They’re also getting private pressure from below.
Per a league source, multiple Colts players aren’t happy with the team’s draft strategy, specifically with the decision to use a first-round pick on receiver Phillip Dorsett.
The thinking is that the Colts should have taken a safety like Landon Collins or a tackle (defensive or offensive) with the 29th overall pick in the draft. A receiver could have been taken later than round one, and he would have arrived with less of a presumption that: (1) he’ll be on the field; and (2) he’ll have the ball thrown his way plenty.
With receiver T.Y. Hilton, tight end Coby Fleener, and tight end Dwayne Allen entering contract years and 2014 rookie Donte Moncrief coming into his own and veteran Andre Johnson trying to prove the Texans wrong and the Colts intent on developing a running game, the Colts don’t currently need another pass catcher with a pedigree that implies he’ll be a contributor, right out of the gates.
Over time, the Colts could be vindicated for sticking to their draft board; Dorsett could become the next Marvin Harrison or Reggie Wayne. For 2015, however, he won’t do much to narrow the 38-point gap between the Colts and the Patriots.
With all NFL teams looking to win now and with a head coach in a contract year, the decision to load up on a position of strength at the expense of plenty of positions of weakness seems very confusing to those on the outside -- and to some of those on the inside.
