With a 7-1 start to the season, the Indianapolis Colts have established themselves as one of the top contenders in the AFC South. With less than a week until the trade deadline, the front staff is now focusing on optimizing roster depth.

“Teams have called to inquire on the Colts’ own surplus of receivers, so a wideout could end up being a chip for them in a trade,” according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.

This signals that the Colts’ wideout group is drawing league-wide attention. The team’s proven forefront option, Michael Pittman Jr., is at the top of that list. In March 2024, Pittman committed to a three-year, $70 million contract deal with a $46 million guarantee, solidifying his position as the offensive focal point.

In 2023, he ranked as one of the top receivers in the NFL with 109 receptions for 1,152 yards. This season he has posted 43 receptions and 6 touchdowns for 446 yards in 8 games. Given both his production and contract structure, he’s viewed as virtually untouchable in trade discussions.

Behind him, Josh Downs continues to emerge as a reliable slot weapon. The 2023 third-round pick has recorded 29 catches for 256 yards and two touchdowns this season. Although rivals are interested in him thanks to his rising profile, his development trajectory and rookie-scale contract make him valuable to be retained.

Alec Pierce is now the most likely trade chip. With no extension in place and a $4.1 million cap hit in the last year of his rookie contract, Pierce’s circumstances are consistent with Breer’s theory that teams are considering midseason receiver improvements. This season, in 6 games, he had 18 receptions for 386 yards.

If Indianapolis opts to leverage depth to fulfill defensive gaps, the receiver room is abundant. 

Colts seek edge rusher to balance hottest offense

The Indianapolis Colts understand that offense alone won’t carry them through the postseason. The team is targeting an edge rusher to fill a clear roster gap. They now have just over $4 million in salary cap space and six draft picks in the 2026 NFL draft.

“I think Chris handles all that stuff. He does a phenomenal job along with his staff. I think they’re always looking into different things that could come up before the trade deadline. So I’ll leave that stuff to him, and I think he’s done a hell of a job with all that stuff,” Shane Steichen told Coltswire.

Head coach Shane Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard are committed to enhancing the team. They understand that improvements in the secondary and at the edge will increase the roster’s completeness.

Potential trade targets include Trey Hendrickson, whose availability has been linked to Indianapolis. In 7 games this season with the Cincinnati Bengals, he posted 4 sacks and 16 tackles. But Hendrickson recently ended his wait to move after a contract restructure by the Bengals increased his pay. 

Hendrickson previously played under Lou Anarumo in Cincinnati from 2021 to 2024 as the Colts’ defensive coordinator. In 17 games during the 2024 season, Trey Hendrickson recorded 17.5 sacks, and 46 tackles. He would bring pass-rush firepower and familiarity with defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo’s system.

“We have to get that fixed,” defensive tackle DeForest Buckner told ESPN.

The Colts’ current defense has tied third with Tampa Bay Buccaneers with 12 takeaways. Despite that position, it ranks 30th in third-down defense and 24th in yards allowed per game. Adding an edge rusher would ease pressure on the front four and improve consistency. Without that upgrade, the unit remains vulnerable.