Colts signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine to add to their WR corps on a 1-year $1.2M deal.
The Colts decision to part ways with Pittman was much more of a financial decision than a football decision, but I am curious on what the Colts’ plan for the Z-receiver is. Michael Pittman was known for his toughness and reliability. He had a high catch % and could use his size, strength, and large frame in order to make contested catches. He was a solid compliment to Pierce, because Pierce could “lift the coverage” of the defense and create room for Michael Pittman to keep the Colts ahead of the sticks.
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It would be silly of me not to acknowledge Pittman’s intangibles that I can’t see on film. He was obviously loved in the locker room, fought through numerous injuries to play on Sundays, and was the ultimate teammate. That is not something that is easy to replace.
However, Pittman’s skillset and production, in my opinion is something that is much easier to find. Unfortunately, after numerous injuries, it felt apparent that Pittman was a descending player that was no longer worth the price tag. Was he unplayable? Absolutely not. But he was closer to a league average starter than someone who was set to make big money on the last year of his deal. He lacked explosiveness, the ability to separate, and offered little no yards after the catch.
What the Colts do need to replace, besides Pittman’s elite competitive toughness, is his red zone production. Early in his career, the knock on Pittman was that he couldn’t find the end zone. He definitely worked to improve in that area and was productive for the Colts later in his tenure (particularly last year with Daniel Jones).
So now that the Colts have an opening at Z-reciever, can Nick Westbrook-Ikhine replace Pittman? I’m not sure.
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On one hand, Westbrook-Ikhine has shown he can replace Pittman’s type of production. Scoring 9 times in 2024 with shaky QB play in Tennessee, he proved his calling card is finding the end zone.
On the other hand, he is shorter and smaller than Pittman at 6’2 211LBs. He does offer slightly more explosiveness off the line, but his catch % is significantly less than Pittmans.
If you follow the money, you would find it hard to believe NWI is the direct replacement for Pittman. It also wouldn’t make much sense for the Colts to part ways with a franchise stalwart, just to sign a less productive player of the same age to replace him.
In my opinion, all signs point toward the Colts drafting a WR this year and competing with NWI. I also don’t think it’s impossible the Colts are done adding at the position in free-agency.
But is there upside with NWI? Absolutely. Let’s look at what he brings to the table.
RED ZONE EFFICIENCY
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One thing I like about NWI is that he can give the QB a throwing window in tight spaces
The Titans motion the F and then bring the TE on a slice action so that NWI is working against Terrion Arnold one-on one. Watch him sell the fade first which get’s Terrion to use a two hand jam while moving outside. Westbrook-Ikhine then is able to swipe Arnold’s jam and work back inside.
What’s great about this rep is that shows you that NWI, while being shorter than Pittman, has identical arm length to Pittman and he knows how to use it to win.
STRONG COMPETITIVE TOUGHNESS
NFL offenses love getting their best receivers at #2 weak in empty formations because it gives them favorable matchups vs a defense. Because teams want to keep their nickel corner to the passing strength a safety, or in this case a linebacker, will be matched up on that #2 WR, in zone defenses.
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NWI has a Skinny route or a 7 step skinny post. He does a nice job keeping the route “skinny” vs. Cover 6. The ball is late from Levis and he has to take a big hit to secure the catch— and he does it anyway.
The last thing I like about NWI is his willingness to block and some of the really tough assignments he’s had to execute. Whether it’s blocking a support player from a real tough assignment, pinning DE’s on a crack toss, or taking care of business on a corner when the ball bounces outside— I really like his upside as a blocker.
BOTTOM LINE
We’ll see where the Colts add at the WR position, but I’m very confident that NWI won’t be there only addition. He signed a very small contract and I’m not sure the Colts get rid of Pittman just to add a player with less production and a similar age.
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But I do like the idea of adding him. He gives you a nice floor as a quality run blocker and red zone option that the Colts can use in that part of the field. I’m not sure he’s Michael Pittman, but I do think he’s a quality signing that adds some depth to the room and can come in and compete for a starting job at that spot.
I still expect the Colts to draft a wide receiver on day 2 of the NFL draft to compete at that spot.
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