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INDIANAPOLIS -- Standing at his locker prior to Wednesday's joint practice session with the Bears, Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton didn't flinch at the question. In fact, a little smile came across his face.
Do the Colts have the best receiving corps in the NFL?
"Absolutely," Hilton said. "Hands down. We can do it all, and we can't wait to show it on the field."
Now, of course you would expect Hilton to say that, but he might be right. It helps having one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL with Andrew Luck, but Indianapolis gave him plenty of weapons this offseason with the additions of Andre Johnson, Phillip Dorsett and Duron Carter to join Hilton, Dwayne Allen, Coby Fleener and Donte Moncrief.
I'm not sure I agree with Hilton that the Colts are No. 1, but I would rank them in the Top 5 best receiving corps this year. That list would include the following, in order:
I asked a few of my colleagues in Dave Richard, Jason La Canfora and Pete Prisco for their Top 5 receiving corps, and each list differed slightly. They did not list each team in order.
For Richard it was Packers, Steelers, Broncos, Colts and Lions. La Canfora said the Steelers, Bengals, Lions, Packers and Cowboys. And Prisco had the Colts, Bengals, Steelers, Cowboys and Packers.
We encourage you to weigh in on the discussion, so feel free to comment below on what teams you think have the best receiving corps this year.
We know the Colts have plenty of standout Fantasy receivers with Hilton and Johnson, and both have the chance to be starters in the majority of leagues. Hilton should be the No. 1 target in this passing game, and he's worth drafting in Round 2 in all formats.
Hilton was great in 2014 as a third-year breakout receiver with 82 catches for 1,345 yards and seven touchdowns, and he's hoping to build on that performance this season.
"I just continue to get better," Hilton said in an interview with CBS Sports. "I work on the little things I need to work on in the offseason. I put in my work so Sundays should be easy."
Hilton said having Johnson around has been beneficial because he's learned a lot already from the standout veteran. Johnson, 34, said he's been trying to help his younger teammates, and that's something coach Chuck Pagano has encouraged.
Pagano wants Dorsett, Moncrief and Carter to spend as much time with Johnson off the field as possible.
Said Pagano to his young receivers, "Use this guy. Be a shadow and do everything he does. I don't care what it is because the guy knows how to take care of himself outside of this facility. He knows how to be a pro, he knows how to practice, he knows how to study. He has seen every defense and every type of coverage known to man. If you want to make a team and give yourself a great chance to play at a high level, just follow that guy around and do exactly what he does. You got a good shot."
Johnson has a good shot at a great season thanks to Luck. He's never played with a quarterback of this caliber, and Luck should help Johnson remain a solid No. 2 Fantasy receiver worth drafting in Round 4 or 5.
"It's a great opportunity," Johnson said of playing with Luck. "I am just here to try and take full advantage of it. That was a big part of my decision this offseason when I became a free agent. Going to a place that had an established quarterback and a great quarterback. It's the reason why I came here."
Luck should help Dorsett, Moncrief and Carter play well this season, but not many Fantasy owners will draft that trio, even if Dorsett and Carter are turning heads. Dorsett, who was drafted with a first-round pick in the NFL Draft this season, has been the darling of training camp.
He could emerge a late-round flier in deeper leagues or a quality addition off the waiver wire as the No. 3 receiver behind Hilton and Johnson.
"Well he's fast, but I think he's a fast study as well," Colts offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton said. "One of the things that's been surprising about Dorsett is his ability to digest a lot of information and be able to play multiple positions in our offense. It's always been a challenge for a lot of young players to be able to come in and handle the volume that we put on them. He's done a pretty good job."
Carter recently scored four touchdowns in a training camp practice, and Moncrief had some flashes of brilliance as a rookie in 2014. Barring an injury, Dorsett, Moncrief and Carter will likely be overshadowed by Hilton and Johnson this season, but their ability should make this receiving corps special.
Is it the best receiving corps in the NFL? We'll find out in 2015. But heading into the season there is a lot to like about this group for Fantasy owners.
