Isaiah McKenzie‘s time with the Bills came to an end last week, but he has quickly found a new home. The receiver has agreed to a deal with the Colts, per his agency (Twitter link). 
The 27-year-old had a four-plus-year spell in Buffalo, following his time with the Broncos. His production became consistent over that span, and he earned a two-year deal to remain with the Bills last offseason. However, he became a cap casualty in the opening days of free agency amidst other moves the team has made in its receiver room.
McKenzie had a career-year in 2022, posting 423 yards and four touchdowns on 42 catches. Those totals, along with his 1,112 career yards on kick returns, made the slot man one of the more intriguing options available in the second wave of free agents in this year’s class. His roster spot with the Bills became much less secure after they signed Deonte Harty to add to their return game, but McKenzie will now turn his attention to a third AFC employer.
The Colts have a number of taller receivers on their roster, including recent draftees Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. Their most expensive wideout in terms of AAV, Ashton Dulin, also comfortably dwarfs McKenzie in size. The latter stands at 5-foot-8, so he will be a unique member of the unit in that regard. He will look to build off of his recent success with Buffalo in particular, though the Colts’ quarterback situation is far different than the one he is departing.
Indianapolis saw Parris Campbell sign with the Giants last week, so McKenzie will look to fill his spot in the lineup. The Colts’ struggles in the passing game over the past few years has no doubt been linked to their never-ending search for a long-term quarterback, but it is also a reflection of their struggles in finding multiple productive wideouts. McKenzie could give them a complimentary option in the slot to match with Pittman and Co. on the outside as the team looks to take a step forward on offense in 2023.
It’s going to be interesting to see if teams like the Eagles and Bills simply reload amidst their personnel losses. I suspect that when you have tremendous quarterbacks, there’s not a great deal of worry but if nothing else, the shifting around keeps it interesting
As a Bills fan, I wish McKenzie well, but I also wish he’d held onto the ball more. His drops are what led to his departure, especially when the team stopped using the jet sweep (where he seems most comfortable).
MacKenzie is easily replaceable, imo. Dude never met a pass he couldn’t drop.
Richardson should be pick at 4
Only if the Colts trade out of the spot
Still think I’d have rather kept Parris