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NFL

This sleeping giant will emerge for the Colts in 2015

By FoxSports
Published | Updated
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Jun 9, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) runs passing routes during minicamp at the Indiana Farm Bureau Football Center. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts spent much of the offseason loading up on both sides of the ball in preparation for a run a the Super Bowl.

On offense, the team signed former Houston Texans star Andre Johnson in free agency and added another receiver in former CFL standout Duron Carter. The Colts also upgraded at running back in free agency, bringing in former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowl back Frank Gore.

But they didn't stop there. Indianapolis also used their first-round pick in last April's draft on yet another offensive weapon in former University of Miami wideout Phillip Dorsett.

Yet despite the infusion of talent, and with other enticing options in place for Andrew Luck to throw to in Pro Bowler T.Y. Hilton and tight ends Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener, one young player already on the roster is set to step up in 2015:

Donte Moncrief, WR

A third-round pick out of Ole Miss in 2014, Moncrief appeared in all 16 games last season, catching 32 passes for 444 yards and three touchdowns.

Yes, the Colts are stacked on offense. Yes, Hilton, Allen and Fleener are entering the final season of the contracts and will likely want the ball thrown their way plenty. But these are the Colts and they throw the ball - a lot.

Last season, Luck averaged 38.5 pass attempts per game. Even with Gore joining the team, Indianapolis doesn't figure to abandon its identity as a passing team. Despite the logjam at the position, Moncrief should find himself the team's No. 3 receiver behind Hilton and Johnson after training camp. The 6-foot-2, 221-pound Moncrief has the size and speed to line up at multiple spots as a receiver and his versatility will provide him plenty of opportunities to make plays.

"He's going to have more opportunities going forward," head coach Chuck Pagano said at the league meetings in March. "He's got such a high ceiling and room for improvement. The sky's the limit for him."

With season of experience playing in offensive coordinator Pep Hamilton's system and playing with Luck, look for Moncrief to make a name for himself in 2015.

Photo credit: Brian Spurlock/USA TODAY Sports