Colts pick up Isaiah McKenzie: Is he the best fit for their needs?

Buffalo Bills v Kansas City Chiefs
New Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie

The Indianapolis Colts signed former Buffalo Bills wideout Isaiah McKenzie earlier this offseason. While he wasn't one of the biggest names on the market, he can definitely help the rebuilding Colts, who lost wide receiver Parris Campbell in free agency.

McKenzie has been in the league for six years now. The Florida native and former Georgia Bulldog was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fifth round (172nd overall) of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Waived by the Broncos in 2018, he made his way to Buffalo, where he spent the last five seasons. He was sensational during their December 2021 win over the New England Patriots, recording 11 catches for 125 yards and a touchdown.

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Last season, he caught 42 passes for 423 yards and four scores. He racked up 137 catches, 1,316 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns during his tenure with the Bills.

The Bills released him this offseason, saving $2 million against this year's salary cap.


Isaiah McKenzie is a great fit for the Indianapolis Colts

The Colts could benefit greatly from his acquisition.
The Colts could benefit greatly from his acquisition.

Parris Campbell finally had a healthy season for the Colts in 2022. However, he left town for the New York Giants this offseason. With that said, the Colts needed a replacement for Campbell, and that's exactly what they got by signing McKenzie.

He should be a solid third receiver for the Colts. Michael Pittman Jr. serves as the main option and second-year player Alec Pierce fills the No. 2 role.

The Colts will likely select a quarterback in the upcoming 2023 NFL Draft with their fourth overall pick. Whoever they end up with (probably either Florida's Anthony Richardson or Kentucky's Will Levis) will need all the weapons they can get in order to succeed next season as a rookie.

With 1,112 career yards on kick returns, the seventh-year receiver will help in that department as well. He also has 518 career yards on punt returns. Now that Nyheim Hines is in Buffalo, McKenzie could be Indianapolis' new permanent punt returner.

Sure, the wideout isn't an elite wideout like Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, or TY Hilton have been. But there's no reason to believe he won't be a great acquisition for the team, providing speed and quickness as both a receiver and return specialist.

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Edited by Nicolaas Ackermann
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