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The Colts' wide receiving corps will look significantly different in 2015 than they did a year ago, as they let two of their top three receivers from 2014 walk in free agency. Longtime star Reggie Wayne is still looking for work and contemplating his options, but it appears as if Hakeem Nicks has found a landing spot.
According to FOX Sports' Mike Garafolo, Nicks will sign with the Tennessee Titans.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Teams interested in WR Hakeem Nicks have been informed he'll be signing with the Titans.</p>— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) <a href="https://twitter.com/MikeGarafolo/status/591647819125002241">April 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Tennessean's Jim Wyatt has since confirmed the news.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Have confirmed the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Titans?src=hash">#Titans</a> are signing WR Hakeem Nicks. Nice addition to a thin receiving corps</p>— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) <a href="https://twitter.com/jwyattsports/status/591650626142138369">April 24, 2015</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The six-year veteran spent last season with the Colts, and he played in all 16 games (starting 6) and caught 38 passes for 405 yards and four touchdowns. It was largely a struggle for Nicks, who had trouble creating separation and with developing timing with quarterback Andrew Luck, but toward the end of the season he put together a few nice performances - at least better than what we had come to expect from Nicks.
For the Titans, they do need help at wide receiver, and therefore the signing makes some sense. But while there's certainly the hope that Nicks can reach the level of play he was at a few years ago, he hasn't shown that for the past few seasons. The Colts signed him last year on a prove-it deal, and despite playing with Luck at quarterback and with an injured Reggie Wayne, Nicks didn't prove it. Instead, the Colts let him walk after the season and left Nicks looking for work. He's a nice addition for the Titans, but he's not the answer to the position for them. But then again, the Titans need a lot of help, so Nicks probably is indeed an upgrade.
What this means from a Colts' perspective is that the team will face Nicks twice in the 2015 season - at Tennessee on September 27 and then at Indianapolis on January 3 in the regular season finale.