The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

MIKE Strachan had a promising performance at Indianapolis Colts’ Organised Team Activities (OTAs) and had an opportunity to get repetitions with the first team on the field.

In his appearance on the “Locked On Colts” podcast, Colts beat writer Stephen Reed said Strachan has been ahead of the anticipated learning curve.

“His transition to the NFL out of a lower tiered school isn’t as rough as they would have expected,” Reed said. “He fits that wide receiver profile that [Chris] Ballard has drafted with [Michael] Pittman and [Dezmon] Patton. What you look at with Strachan is he dominated in Division II then he went to West Virginia Pro Day, ran really well and he was the show.

“Then he comes in here to rookie minicamp, made a really good impression on the Colts and has gotten some opportunities to run with the first unit with Michael Pittman being out. That’s huge. The fact that he’s only been there for a little bit and has gotten run with the first unit, even though you have all these other players. Pittman was the only receiver that was not involved in OTAs so it was really huge for [Strachan]. He’s one of those small school diamond in the rough players that could come out and be a huge player for the Colts.”

The Colts’ competitive wide receiver group is expected to have six available spots for the upcoming 2021 season.

“[Strachan] is likely going to be a guy, if they don’t feel like he’s going to be able to play in any games, then I could see him being a guy that they keep on their roster similar to what they did with Dezmon Patton last year and seeing if they could develop him and give him an opportunity to win one of those starting receiver roles whenever TY Hilton inevitably moves on next year.”

Strachan’s size and athleticism had several pundits wondering whether he would project to a hybrid receiver/tight end in the NFL.

“No teams talked to me about that,” Strachan said at rookie minicamp. “I feel like most teams see me as a natural receiver, that’s what I’ve played all my life and moving forward that’s what I feel I would be best at.”

At his pro day, he measured 6’5”, 228 pounds with 85” wingspan and 10” hands. He ran a 4.46 second 40-yard dash, put up 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds and posted a 35” vertical leap.