T.Y Hilton: Can the Colts Still Afford to Re-sign Him?

With the recently struck deals in the wide receiver market, has the price tag for T.Y. Hilton‘s next contract gotten too rich for the Colts to afford?

After rumors of team collusion between the Cowboys and the Broncos both teams struck deals with their star wide receivers following a legal collusion by both players’ agents. Both receivers Dez Bryant (Cowboys) and Demaryius Thomas (Broncos) are set to join the $14 million club after signing 5-year $70 million deals according to Jason Fitzgerald of Overthecap.com.

It appears that the Colts were holding back on a contract extension until the market for wide receivers had a benchmark. Apparently, Hilton was paying attention.

Did those deals set the bar too high For Indianapolis to afford Hilton? Hilton poses a good question, “Is the bar set?” If so, we must ask ourselves a difficult question, is Hilton’s talents at the same level as Thomas and Bryant or is he a tier below them at a Mike Wallace level (5-year $60 million)?

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My answer may ruffle some feathers, but I believe he is somewhere in between. Allow me to explain why.

I know many Colts fans have already blocked it out, but think back to the AFC Championship game against the Patriots. Targeted a team-high six times, Hilton had one 36-yard reception after becoming the focus of the Patriots defense. He was also held to 3 catches for 24 yards in their week 11 loss to New England. In Hilton’s defense, he was the only offensive threat in those matchups and was forced to beat both the cornerback playing head up on him and the safety spying over the top.

Do not expect the same outcome this year. The recent offseason additions to the receiving corps is a two-edged sword in terms of Hilton’s future status with Indianapolis.

On the one hand, this offseason the Colts helped Hilton by adding much-needed depth to the wide receiver corps by signing free agents Andre Johnson and CFL star Duron Carter and then drafting rookie, Phillip Dorsett. Add tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener to the mix and it is easy to see that double-teaming The Ghost this season will be a disastrous mistake for any defensive coordinator to make. With less defensive pressure on Hilton in 2015, expectations are that he will have his best season yet, despite all the other weapons on the field.

On the other hand, the depth of the position takes away some Hilton’s leverage in negotiations for his first big money contract. Stephen Holder of the Indianapolis Star indicated that he is not expected to accept a hometown discount in negotiations. There are several contracts up for renewal next season including left tackle Anthony Castonzo, Allen, Fleener and quarterback Andrew luck.  The lack of a hometown discount is a big hindrance in retaining Hilton past the 2015 season.  Holder summed the situation perfectly:

"“Hilton’s circumstances are not identical to those of Bryant and Thomas. They are more accomplished players and their contract situations were different (because of the franchise tags). The Colts are also deeper at receiver than most teams, which is clearly a factor.But Hilton’s 2,428 yards the past two seasons and his age (25) mean he’s preparing to hit free agency in perfect position.He’s going to get paid. The only question, it seems, is, from whom?“"

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