ESPN Throws Colts a Lifeline for DeAndre Hopkins
The Indianapolis Colts were relatively quiet in free agency thus far, but they could be in line to make a lot of noise during the summer.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) singled out the receiving targets for new quarterback Anthony Richardson as the team's biggest weakness. Recently released 5-time Pro Bowl wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins would certainly be an upgrade to a young group of wide receivers and tight ends.
Would Hopkins consider the Colts? ESPN's Jeremy Fowler was ready to throw Indianapolis a lifeline on Thursday.
"Few notes on DeAndre Hopkins after asking around: Open-minded about teams league-wide," wrote Fowler on Twitter. No short list I’m aware of. Prepared to be patient. Minicamp could be considered a soft deadline, training camp a harder deadline. Taking free agent visits a possibility."
Not being eliminated from contention isn't the same as being on a shortlist, but Fowler reported that Hopkins wouldn't rule out any team.
Why not the Colts?
The teams with the most available cap space look very similar to the NFL Draft order, right down to the Colts having the fourth-most space and the Chicago Bears the most.
The outlier on the list is the Dallas Cowboys at No. 3 with an estimated $24.1 million to the Colts' $23.9 million according to Spotrac. So otther than the Cowboys,
While the quarterback position has questions going into the season with a rookie at the helm, the early reports on Richardson have been encouraging.
A five-headed monster of Richardson, Michael Pittman, Jonathan Taylor, Alec Pierce and Hopkins would make the mythological hydra look tame.
Hopkins turns 31 next week and may be looking for a team that appears to be closer to contending for a Super Bowl. Could new head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard make a convincing argument?
Do they want to?
It's more than likely a longshot, but it sounds like Hopkins would listen if the Colts picked up the phone.
