The Indianapolis Colts will have an intriguing competition in the wide receiver room as veteran Isaiah McKenzie looks to fight off an electric rookie.
McKenzie, who signed with the Colts in free agency, will be competing with third-round pick Josh Downs for the starting slot receiver role in Shane Steichen’s offense.
Most analysts, including ourselves, are projecting the rookie to come out on top during the competition, and The Athletic named McKenzie as a player to watch with OTAs starting up this week.
The Colts signed McKenzie after losing Parris Campbell in free agency. But they then drafted Josh Downs out of North Carolina, and he along with Michael Pittman Jr. could wind up making it hard for the streaky former Bills slot receiver to carve out a steady role.
McKenzie is a nice depth piece for the offense to have in the wide receiver room, but he’s never recorded more than 42 receptions or 423 yards in a season throughout his career, both of which he achieved in 2022.
Downs was seemingly a high-priority pick for the new head coach in Steichen, feeling the need to add a crafty route runner with reliable hands in the middle of the field to aid the development of rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
We’ll see what this competition has in store over the next few months as McKenzie has some stiff competition to fend off if he’s going to be the starting slot receiver.
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