Per ESPN's Stephen Holder, the Colts are still mulling a potential roster move at receiver, with remaining free agent options including Keenan Allen and Samuel.
Indianapolis traded Michael Pittman Jr. to the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason to clear cap space for Alec Pierce's extension, leaving the receiver room thinner than a contending team would like.
Why the Fit Works
ESPN's Matt Bowen named the Colts the best overall fit for Samuel in a free agency landing spot exercise, citing the unique skill set Samuel would bring to head coach Shane Steichen's offense as a complement to Pierce and slot man Josh Downs.
"Steichen can create a long runway for Samuel to get up to speed on crossers, while building in manufactured touches on screens and fly sweeps," Bowen wrote.
🚨🚨The #Colts are looking into signing Deebo Samuel #fortheshoe
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) June 18, 2026
Samuel, who caught 72 passes for 727 yards and five touchdowns last season in Washington while catching passes from three different starting quarterbacks, would give quarterback Daniel Jones another catch-and-run target alongside tight end Tyler Warren.
Both Samuel and Warren ranked in the top 15 in yards after the catch last season, the specific trait that defines Samuel's value as a dual-threat receiver and rusher.
The Complications
The Colts' current top three at receiver is Pierce, Downs, and Ashton Dulin, with Nick Westbrook-Ikhine added this offseason on a modest deal and seventh-round pick Deion Burks also in the mix.
Samuel's opportunities could be limited behind that group, and Jonathan Taylor remains the centerpiece of Indianapolis's run-first offensive identity.
🚨🚨Former #49ers and #Commanders Deebo Samuel has put in work and is in the best shape of his career pic.twitter.com/YIPweDDtLL
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 9, 2026
But Steichen has shown he can find creative usage for versatile players, deploying Samuel in the slot opposite Downs or as a third-down weapon out of the backfield.
Samuel signed a one-year deal worth roughly $17.5 million with Washington last season, and his next contract is expected to land closer to the $11 million to $13 million range.
The Colts rank 21st in the NFL in receiving cap allocation at roughly $26 million, giving general manager Chris Ballard the financial flexibility to add Samuel on a one-year deal if Indianapolis decides Dulin as the WR3 is not sufficient heading into a season where they are trying to end a five-year playoff drought.
