The 2026 NFL offseason has been interesting to say the least. A lot of roster moves are being made, but what is even more intriguing is the moves teams could make. Free agents are plentiful, and a new home this season is expected for a lot of them.
The Indianapolis Colts made a big wave trading for cornerback Sauce Gardner last year, but part of the cost of that was trading away wide receiver Adonai Mitchell. The Colts’ offense is solid, but it could certainly use more weapons.
Colts Predicted to Sign Former Pro-Bowl Wide Receiver in 2026
ESPN analyst Matt Bowen compiled a list of potential landing spots for 14 free agents this summer in an article, and one of them was the Colts signing former Pro Bowl wide receiver Deebo Samuel.
“The Colts added veteran receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine this offseason, but Samuel would bring a unique skill set to coach Shane Steichen’s offense as a complement to Alec Pierce and slot man Josh Downs,” Bowen wrote on Monday. “Steichen can create a long runway for Samuel to get up to speed on crossers, while building in manufactured touches on screens and fly sweeps.”
Signing Samuel, who caught 72 passes last season in Washington, would also give quarterback Daniel Jones another catch-and-run target alongside tight end Tyler Warren. Both Samuel and Warren ranked in the top 15 of yards after the catch last season.
Samuel spent his 2025 season with the Washington Commanders, catching 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns. Samuel is a versatile player who catches passes out of the backfield and gets a lot of yards after the catch. Samuel is a tough player to bring down for opposing defenders.
Samuel started his career out with the San Francisco 49ers in 2019, being drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft, 36th overall. In his rookie season, Samuel caught 57 passes for 802 yards and three touchdowns. His best season in 2021, accumulating 77 receptions for 1,405 yards and six receiving touchdowns while rushing for 365 yards on 59 attempts for eight touchdowns, earning himself a spot in that year’s Pro-Bowl at the end of the season.
Samuel brings a lot to an offense, as a wide receiver mainly but a running back also. Samuel did a bit of both while in college at the University of South Carolina. The question would be whether or not he can work in the Colts’ offense in 2026.
Can Deebo Samuel Be A Good Fit For The Colts?
The Colts have a receiver room that is currently filled by Downs, Pierce, Westbrook-Ikhine and even Warren, who they drafted in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Opportunities wouldn’t be very abundant for Samuel as a result of their depth at the position, but Steichen can find a way to use his skillset if he is signed. Samuel could be at running back some for the Colts on third down or line up in the slot at wide receiver opposite of Downs. Samuel’s presence could also create better matchups for others on offense as well.