Horseshoe Huddle

Colts Draft: 5 Potential Day-3 Wide Receivers Who Fit

With such a deep group of wide receivers in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Indianapolis Colts could find any of these five gems on Day 3.

Jake Arthur

Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American wide receiver Ryan Flournoy of Southeast Missouri (13) runs
Jan 31, 2024; Mobile, AL, USA; American wide receiver Ryan Flournoy of Southeast Missouri (13) runs / Vasha Hunt-USA TODAY Sports
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The Indianapolis Colts’ wide receiver room is still a work in progress, but it is in a better place than it has been in years past. Veteran Michael Pittman Jr. is a legit top pass-catching option, and the Colts wisely locked in their playmaker to a brand new three-year extension. 

The starters alongside Pittman are Alec Pierce and Josh Downs, two former day-two draft picks that have flashed in their time with the team. Both players definitely need to take another step forward in 2024, but they are solid options at the worst for this team. Special teams ace Ashton Dulin should also be back from his ACL injury, giving the receiver core another dependable depth option in the rotation. 

After those top four players, though, the Colts lack any real depth at the position. The 2024 NFL Draft could be the perfect opportunity to add some talent to the backend of the position. So today, let’s dive into a few day-three options that fit the Colts at wide receiver. 

Ryan Flournoy, Southeast Missouri State

Flournoy is the perfect Chris Ballard wide receiver on day three of this draft class. He hits all the prerequisite size and speed metrics while also posting elite pre-draft measurables in the broad jump (a test the Colts value tremendously). He also stood out at the Senior Bowl this offseason, further adding to his case to be a Colt this draft cycle. 

Flournoy is far from ready to be an NFL contributor from day one, but there is some Dulin in his game. He is a smart player that coaches rave about and has the athletic ability to bet on. Dulin was able to grind his way onto the roster through special teams ability and coachability, and Flournoy seems to be a player who could take a similar path.

Ballard has always raved about a player like Dulin, and now he could potentially grab another version of him in Flournoy. 

Bub Means, Pittsburgh

Sticking with the theme of athletes on day three, Means is another player to keep an eye on for the Colts. At 6’1”, 212 pounds, Means ran a blazing 4.43 40-yard dash and jumped 39.5 inches in the vertical jump at the NFL Combine. He stood out at the Shrine Bowl this offseason as well, earning praise from many media members in attendance. 

Means’ production profile is a tad underwhelming, but he has the traits to be a day-one contributor on special teams. His size and physicality, matched with his play speed, are dangerous weapons to bring as a gunner to the next level. His profile could also make him a fairly interesting developmental player at the position. 

Means is an intriguing H/W/S prospect to keep an eye on later on day three for the Colts. 

Cornelius Johnson, Michigan

If the Colts want to go away from pure special teamers and look more at a developmental prospect at receiver, Johnson from Michigan could be a fantastic option. Johnson struggled to produce in his time in college, but the athletic traits and the flashes are phenomenal on film. 

Johnson is an explosive playmaker with elite ability in contested catch situations. He offers some ability after the catch as well and is one of the better run blockers in the entire draft. While he still needs some refinement with his route running, those are developmental traits to build on for the 6’3” athletic phenom. 

He may be a ways out from producing in the NFL, but Johnson is a very intriguing developmental option in this draft class. 

Luke McCaffrey, Rice

Another really intriguing late option is Rice receiver McCaffrey. He began his career as a quarterback but switched to receiver after his transfer to Rice (from Nebraska). He is still coming along slowly at the position, but he has the potential to be a high-floor weapon for whichever team takes him in this draft class. 

As a former quarterback, McCaffrey has the innate feel for positioning that many receivers don’t possess. He understands how to find space in the defense and his hands are among the best in the draft. He may not fit every single Chris Ballard mold, but his potential to give the team a high-floor versatile backup at the position is extremely intriguing. 

McCaffrey is still growing as a pass catcher, but he has the potential to be a solid NFL veteran for many years with more development. 

Jacob Cowing, Arizona

Cowing may not be the typical Colts’ fit on paper, but his speed and production profile are certainly something to monitor in this deep receiver draft class. He has torched opposing defenses at every single college stop, so it makes sense to think that Cowing can become an NFL contributor on day three of this upcoming draft. 

Cowing boasts impressive 4.3 track speed to go along with a smaller frame, making him an outlier for what the Colts typically select. Shane Steichen, however, has always liked to keep one smaller deep threat on his depth chart in his career, from Isaiah McKenzie last season to Jalen Guyton with the Los Angeles Chargers. Cowing could be the player to give this team a Guyton-level impact from day one. 

He may be a bit of a one-trick pony for the Colts, but that one trick could be beneficial for what this offense is meant to look like. 

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Jake Arthur

JAKE ARTHUR

Jake Arthur has covered the NFL and the Indianapolis Colts for a decade. He is a member of the Professional Football Writers of America (PFWA) and FantasyPros' expert panel. He has also contributed to multiple NFL Draft guides.