Fansided

One breakout candidate for each NFL team in 2018

By Brad Weiss

DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes
DENVER, CO - DECEMBER 31: Quarterback Patrick Mahomes /
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ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 30: Ryan Grant #14 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchown against Jeff Heath #38 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – NOVEMBER 30: Ryan Grant #14 of the Washington Redskins scores a touchown against Jeff Heath #38 of the Dallas Cowboys in the second quarter of a football game at AT&T Stadium on November 30, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images) /

. team. 46. . Wide Receiver. . Ryan Grant

The Indianapolis Colts have been holding their breath when it comes to Andrew Luck, their star quarterback who has not played football since the 2016 NFL season. Luck had surgery on his throwing shoulder the winter after that 2016 campaign, and has just gotten the green light to throw without hindrance.

During the offseason, the Colts made sure they made investments to protect Luck going forward, as his absence has shown how truly valuable he is to the franchise. They drafted Quentin Nelson from Notre Dame in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft, getting arguably the best overall offensive lineman the draft class has to offer.

At the wide receiver position, the Colts also made an upgrade this offseason, bringing in former Washington Redskins wideout Ryan Grant. Grant was dubbed “Mr. Consistent” durnig his time in Washington by head coach Jay Gruden, and the Colts are hoping he can blossom into a standout player for them in 2018.

Grant joins a wide receiver group that already has veteran T.Y. Hilton and Chester Rogers, so he will likely be the second or third option in the passing game. Still, if Luck is healthy, he is one of the more elite quarterbacks this game has to offer, and Grant could be a major beneficiary of him being back under center this season.

There is very little expectation from the Colts this season, but that can all change if Luck goes back to the player he was before the injury. They need to make sure he stays upright, but if he can throw for 4,000 yards this season, expect Grant to get a ton of them.