The NFL offseason has produced a number of roster changes as the league heads toward the 2026 NFL Draft. Teams have made several free agency signings to prepare their rosters for 2026.
Several trades have also taken place leading up to this point, including one that involved the Indianapolis Colts trading away star wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
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At the time, the move seemed a bit puzzling, especially since the team retained Alec Pierce in free agency. We now know why the Colts felt comfortable dealing Pittman to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
FOX59 reported that the Colts were comfortable moving Pittman because of one receiver already on the roster: Josh Downs. Although Downs experienced a dip in production in 2025, the Colts remain confident in the trio of Pierce, Downs, and Tyler Warren.
“[Trade of Michael Pittman] going to help Josh and Pierce get more targets.’’ General manager Chris Ballard told FOX59. That statement serves as a clear vote of confidence for the wide receiver room.
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The fourth-year receiver could benefit from a de facto promotion to the WR2 role. However, Mike Chappell of FOX59 also noted that the NFL Draft remains a possibility.
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“We’ve always had our eye on Indiana’s Elijah Sarratt. At 6-2 and 210 pounds, he’s a slightly smaller version of the 6-4, 223-pound Pittman.” Chappell wrote.
Chappell, of course, has closely followed Sarratt and his teammates through local coverage of Indiana’s impressive 2025 Hoosiers season. Regardless of the specific target, it makes sense that the Colts will likely look to add to the room from a deep receiver draft class.
Ultimately, the situation comes back to the team’s confidence in Alec Pierce and Josh Downs. Can the duo get things back on track with the return of quarterback Daniel Jones?