Colts receive mixed reviews for Devin Funchess signing
Akeem GlaspieThe Indianapolis Colts' first signing of the 2019 free agency period filled a major need, bringing in big-bodied wide receiver Devin Funchess, formally of the Carolina Panthers.
Signing a receiver to complement T.Y. Hilton was high on GM Chris Ballard's list of priorities this offseason, but pundits are all over the board on what the former second-round pick can provide for Indy.
"While some were suggesting that the Colts and their $100 million war chest were going to be big spenders in free agency, it was always more likely that general manager Chris Ballard's organization would pick its spots and wait for prices to go down. There are no discounts on day one of the legal-tampering period. Although Indy did make a signing, it's going to raise some eyebrows."
Pete Prisco of CBSsports.com: C-
"The Colts gave Funchess a one-year, prove-it deal for $13 million, which I find strange. Why not go after Tyrell Williams? I know Funchess is cheaper, but Williams has much more big-play ability.
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Funchess gives the Colts a bigger target, but he doesn't run that well, which is why he didn't stick with the Panthers."
SB Nation: Short Term A. Long Term ???
"The Colts added big-bodied receiver to play with Andrew Luck by signing former Panthers receiver Devin Funchess to a one-year deal. This is a great deal for both the Colts and Funchess. The Colts get a young, talented receiver with upside and Funchess gets a chance to revive his chances for a big deal next offseason after dealing with an injury-plagued 2018 season. Funchess is still only 24 years old, so him having a breakout season with one of the best quarterbacks in the league isn’t out of the question."
"It was initially reported that Devin Funchess would receive $13 million for his 1-year deal with the Colts. It's actually $10 million, whereas the other $3 million can be obtained via incentives.
I don't think this contract is as bad as it looks, as it's only for one year. It's a move with upside, as Funchess is a former second-round pick with some good talent. He never lived up to his ability in Carolina, but he'll be playing with a terrific passer for a change in Andrew Luck. That could make a huge difference. It could be possible that Funchess finally realizes his full potential with Luck, and if so, this short-term deal will seem great. If Funchess continues to disappoint, then the Colts, who have the most cap space in the NFL, aren't really risking much by signing him to this deal, so I think this deserves a grade in the "B" range."
Doug Farrar of Touchdown Wire: C
"The Colts needed a big-bodied receiver to pair with T.Y. Hilton and to give their tight ends more separation, and in that regard, Funchess fits the bill. He caught 44 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns last season, one year after his career year.
Funchess isn’t a dynamic route-runner and his catch rate has been a problem throughout his career, but the obvious hope is that he’ll see more obvious openings and opportunities in Frank Reich’s offense. The one-year amount matches Hilton’s per-year average and puts Funchess in the top 15 in that regard, which he hasn’t yet earned in terms of on-field production. The Colts are seeing something here others aren’t."
Danny Kelly of The Ringer: Most Anticlimactic Move
"The Colts came into Monday’s legal tampering period with a league-high $101 million and change in cap space, and almost left without spending any of it. Indianapolis general manager Chris Ballard was conspicuously quiet for much of the day, and the team made a relatively minor move late in the afternoon by signing veteran receiver Devin Funchess to a one-year prove-it deal worth up to $13 million (though the base value may be considerably lower, per Pro Football Talk).
Funchess, who is still just 24 years old (only about five months older than Falcons receiver Calvin Ridley, who was a rookie last year), had a disappointing performance in 2018 (44 catches, 549 yards, and four touchdowns) after posting breakout numbers the year before (63 catches, 840 yards, and eight touchdowns), but could give Indianapolis a big-bodied red zone target on the outside that the team lacked last year. It’s a low-risk, potentially high-reward deal for the Colts, and while it’s certainly not a blockbuster move, it could be just the first of more moves for the NFL’s free-agency big stack."
Follow IndyStar sports producer Akeem Glaspie on Twitter at @THEAkeemGlaspie.