Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts

Pro Football Focus (PFF), one of the most trusted sources for NFL player and position group evaluations, recently released its 2025 preseason wide receiver rankings—and the Indianapolis Colts’ group has landed at 17th overall. Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts reflects a middle-of-the-pack standing for a unit that blends established talent with emerging young players, but still has room to grow compared to the league’s elite. PFF’s rankings are based on a combination of past performance (weighted by recency), off-season additions/subtractions, and projected production—making this placement a mix of validation for the Colts’ current group and a challenge to elevate their play. Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts isn’t just a number; it’s a roadmap for the Colts’ wideouts to identify areas of improvement as they aim to support quarterback Daniel Jones and complement the team’s strong running game. This article explores the details of PFF’s ranking, the players driving the Colts’ standing, and what the team can do to climb higher in future evaluations.

Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts is largely shaped by the performance of the group’s leader: Michael Pittman Jr., the Colts’ No. 1 wide receiver and a consistent playmaker over the past four seasons. PFF gave Pittman an overall grade of 78.9 for the 2024 season—placing him 22nd among all NFL wide receivers—and highlighted his reliability as a key strength. Last season, Pittman hauled in 89 catches for 1,062 yards and 4 touchdowns, posting his second consecutive 1,000-yard season, and he excelled in high-leverage situations: his 76tch rate on third downs ranked 11th among wide receivers with at least 30 third-down targets. PFF also noted Pittman’s ability to win in contested situations—he secured 14 of 22 contested catches (63.6%)—a skill that makes him a go-to target for Jones in tight windows. However, PFF’s evaluation also pointed out a gap: Pittman’s lack of deep-speed production. He averaged just 11.9 yards per catch in 2024 (ranking 45th among qualifying wide receivers) and had only 3 receptions of 25+ yards. “Pittman is a rock-solid No. 1, but he’s not a game-breaker in the vertical passing game,” said PFF analyst Mike Renner. “That limits the Colts’ ability to stretch defenses, which is why their group lands in the middle of the pack.”

Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts also reflects the contributions of the Colts’ supporting wideouts—players who add depth but haven’t yet reached elite status. The team’s No. 2 wide receiver, Alec Pierce, earned a PFF grade of 69.8 in 2024, a slight improvement from his 67.2 grade in 2023. Pierce showed flashes of potential, particularly as a deep threat: he averaged 15.3 yards per catch (ranking 28th) and had 5 receptions of 25+ yards. However, his inconsistency held him back—he dropped 7 passes (a 7.8% drop rate, above the league average of 6.5%) and struggled to create separation against top cornerbacks. Behind Pierce, the Colts have a mix of veterans and rookies: free-agent signee Josh Reynolds (a 68.3 PFF grade in 2024 with the Detroit Lions) adds experience as a slot receiver, while third-round rookie Troy Franklin (graded 82.1 in his final season at Oregon) brings speed but lacks NFL experience. PFF noted that the Colts’ depth is a strength—they have four wide receivers with PFF grades above 65—but their lack of a true No. 2 playmaker prevents them from cracking the top 15. “The Colts don’t have a clear weak link in their wide receiver group, but they also don’t have a second player who can consistently draw double teams,” Renner explained. “That balance keeps them in the middle tier.”

Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts also highlights the Indianapolis Colts’ reliance on their passing game structure to maximize their wideouts’ strengths. Unlike teams with elite wide receiver groups (like the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills), the Colts don’t rely on their wideouts to “win on an island” against top cornerbacks. Instead, they use offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter’s system—heavy on play-action, crossing routes, and short-to-intermediate targets—to put their wide receivers in positions to succeed. For example, Pittman thrives on slant routes and drag routes over the middle, where his strong hands and body control make him difficult to tackle. Pierce, meanwhile, is used primarily on deep posts and fades, where his 6’3” frame and leaping ability (36-inch vertical) give him an advantage. The Indianapolis Colts’ reliance on their passing game structure means their wideouts’ success is often tied to the team’s overall offensive rhythm—something PFF accounted for in its ranking. “The Colts’ system masks some of their wide receivers’ weaknesses, but it also limits their ceiling,” Renner said. “They can be effective within the scheme, but they don’t have the individual talent to overcome a bad game plan or poor quarterback play.” This structure will be even more important in 2025, as Jones adjusts to his new team and looks to build chemistry with the wideouts.

Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts also underscores the Indianapolis Colts’ off-season decisions that shaped the group—including both additions and subtractions. The Colts chose not to re-sign veteran wide receiver Parris Campbell (who signed with the New Orleans Saints) after he posted a 66.4 PFF grade in 2024, instead replacing him with Reynolds, who has a similar skill set but more consistency. They also used a third-round draft pick on Franklin, a speedster who ran a 4.34-second 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, to add a vertical threat missing from the group. However, they didn’t make a splashy free-agent signing or trade for a top-tier wide receiver—something that likely kept them out of PFF’s top 15. The Indianapolis Colts’ off-season decisions that shaped the group reflect the team’s broader philosophy: building through the draft and signing affordable veterans rather than overspending on wide receivers. General manager Chris Ballard has long argued that “wide receiver is a position where production can come from multiple players, not just one or two stars,” and the Colts’ ranking supports that—they’re competitive without breaking the bank. “The Colts didn’t need to overhaul their wide receiver group this off-season,” Renner said. “They needed to add depth and a vertical threat, which they did. Now it’s up to the players to execute.”

Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts concludes with the Indianapolis Colts’ path to climbing higher in future PFF rankings—a roadmap that depends on both individual growth and collective improvement. For the group to move into the top 12, several things need to happen: Pierce must reduce his drop rate and become a more consistent No. 2 option, Franklin needs to translate his college success to the NFL (PFF projects him to earn a 70.0+ grade as a rookie), and Reynolds must provide reliable slot production (he’s averaged 45 catches per season over the past three years). Additionally, the Colts’ wideouts need to develop better chemistry with Jones—something that will take time but is critical for maximizing their production. The Indianapolis Colts’ path to climbing higher in future PFF rankings also includes leveraging the team’s strong running game (led by Jonathan Taylor) to create one-on-one matchups for the wideouts. When Taylor draws attention from linebackers and safeties, it opens up space for Pittman and Pierce to win against cornerbacks. “The Colts’ wide receiver group isn’t flashy, but it’s functional,” Renner said. “If they can turn ‘functional’ into ‘dynamic’—especially in the deep passing game—they could easily jump 5-6 spots in next year’s rankings.” For the Colts, landing at 17th is a starting point, not a finish line. As the 2025 season unfolds, Wide Receivers Land at 17th in PFF Rankings for Indianapolis Colts will serve as a benchmark to measure how far this group has come—and how close they are to joining the NFL’s elite.