Patriots: 3 receivers to target in free agency for Cam Newton

Oh, this will really get the rivalry back on for sure

It ebbs and flows, but the Patriots’ rivalry with the Indianapolis Colts is one of the best in the AFC today. Yes, it mostly had to do with Tom Brady quarterbacking the Patriots and Peyton Manning leading the Colts, but there could be an interesting development if one of the Colts’ best wide receivers leaves for New England. Of course, I am talking about perennial Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton.

Hilton spent his entire nine-year NFL career with the Colts. He is a four-time Pro Bowler and has five 1,000-yard receiving seasons. While he has not been to a Pro Bowl since 2017 or had a 1,000-yard season since 2018, it is not like Hilton has had stability at the quarterback position. Not since 2015-16 has he had the same quarterback throwing him the ball in back-to-back years.

So instead of developing a rapport with Carson Wentz in year four in Frank Reich’s offense, he could see how he fits in Josh McDaniels’ system with Newton now rifling him the pigskin. If he approaches 16 games played in 2021, he might make it a sixth 1,000-yard receiving season. There are passing yards to be had in the New England offense, and maybe Hilton can capitalize on them?

Overall, Hilton is probably not going to be the same player he was with the Colts during his prime in the mid-to-late 2010s. However, he is approaching 10,000 career receiving yards. If he can help the Patriots get back to the playoffs and be a big reason behind their success, Hilton might start to seriously garner the attention of Pro Football Hall of Fame voters. At 32-years-old, he has time.