When the Colts rejected trade offers to select speedy wideout Phillip Dorsett late in the draft's first round, speculation immediately centered on T.Y. Hilton's future in Indianapolis.
Would the Colts plug Dorsett into the starting lineup in 2016, allowing Hilton to walk as a free agent?
Hilton seemed to think it was a possibility in May, telling reporters that he couldn't wait for his "battle" and "competition" with the rookie.
Over the past couple of weeks, though, it has become evident that the Colts hope to strike a long-term deal with their leading receiver.
Although no agreement is imminent, NFL Media's Rand Getlin reported on Monday's edition of NFL Total Access that the two sides are "working diligently" to find common ground on an extension.
There is some optimism, per Getlin, even if there's no definitive timetable for a new contract.
Just as the Colts devoted extra resources to surrounding Peyton Manning with skill-position talent last decade, they want to keep the cupboard stocked for Andrew Luck over the next 10 years.
Hilton's 18 games of at least 100 receiving yards are second only to Randy Moss through three NFL seasons. He has earned the benefit of the doubt in Indy.
Hilton wasn't the only wide receiver in the news on Monday. Here are updates from around the league on nine more wideouts:
- Super Bowl star Chris Matthews won't be a one-game wonder in Seattle. NFL Media's Steve Wyche reported Monday that Matthews has mixed in with the first-team offense and has been featured with tight ends Jimmy Graham and Luke Willson in "jumbo" red-zone packages.
- Chris isn't the only Matthews turning heads at wide receiver. Jordan Matthews and Sam Bradford made sweet music on Monday, bolstering the notion that Matthews is poised for a big year as the Eagles' No. 1 receiver.
- Although two-time Pro Bowler Julio Jones believes he's added another gear this year after losing five pounds, it's former Redskins wideout Leonard Hankerson who is turning the most heads early in Falcons camp. Reunited with offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, Hankerson has been "the best wide receiver at Flowery Branch thus far," per the team's official website. As much as we love the Hankerson fit in Atlanta, it's literally incredible that he has been more impressive than Jones.
- After a disappointing 2014 season in San Francisco, Michael Crabtree has been an early-camp star for the Raiders. The team believes Crabtree will play himself into a big contract this year, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, onsite in Napa Valley.
- Although Martavis Bryant has been the talk of training camp, it's third-year wideout Markus Wheaton whom Ben Roethlisberger believes will be the "breakout player of the year" for the Steelers.
- Nobody dominates training camp like Eddie Royal, who annually leaves writers breathless in August only to post pedestrian numbers once the hitting starts. Bleacher Report's Dan Pompei, who has covered the Bears for three decades, tweeted Monday that he will be surprised if Royal does not have a big year in Chicago.
- While Royal is earning raves, No. 7 overall pick Kevin White remains sidelined with a shin injury that has lingered for six weeks. Coach John Fox said Monday that White is "making headway," but offered no timetable for the rookie's return to practice.
- Terrelle Pryor's transition from quarterback to wide receiver is going better than expected, with cornerback Joe Haden noting that "it looks like it could work." At 6-foot-4 and just over 230 pounds, Pryor offers a size/speed package unmatched by any other Browns receiver. "He's very, very talented and he's willing," said receivers coach Joker Phillips.
- DeSean Jackson boasted to reporters Monday that no cornerback can stop him -- not even Darrelle Revis or Richard Sherman. We'll be sure to note that for the Week 6 matchup against Revis and the Jets.
The latest Around The NFL Podcast debates whose stock is up and whose stock is down after the first week of training camp.
