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Devin Funchess is entering the 2019 NFL with a fresh start and a brand new opportunity. After beginning his career with the Carolina Panthers, he made the move to sign a one-year contract with the Indianapolis Colts this offseason. Now, he will have an opportunity with a truly elite passing quarterback to turn things around and get his career back on track.
Last season with the Panthers, Funchess ended up catching 44 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns. He didn't have a bad year, but the numbers certainly weren't where he would have liked them to be.
Standing in at 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, Funchess gives Luck and the Colts something they haven't had for a long time. Indianapolis has not had a huge target that is capable of winning jump balls and being a major threat in the red zone. It will also give T.Y. Hilton the ability to have some pressure taken off of him.
At just 24 years of age, Funchess still has time to become the star receiver that many thought he could become. If there is a team and coach that can get the most out of him, it is Frank Reich and the Colts.
Let's dive in and take a look at the three main goals that Funchess will need to focus on in 2019 to be successful with the Colts.
3. Play His Game and Be Himself
With the size that Funchess possesses, he has to focus on playing his game. The Panthers seemed to try to force him into being a go-to receiver, mainly because they didn't have another legitimate target on the roster for the majority of his time there. Indianapolis has Hilton, rookie Parris Campbell, and tight end Eric Ebron, which will take pressure off of Funchess.
Funchess needs to focus on being a security blanket for Luck. He won't be forced into running deep routes all the time and can be a possession receiver that consistently makes catches for his quarterback over the middle and at times down the field.
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2. It's Time to Break the 10 Touchdown Mark
Luck is going to have a lot of fun with his weapons in the red zone. Hilton's speed coupled with Funchess and Ebron's size is going to be tough for defense to match up against. Funchess should have a lot of success, especially when it comes to using his size in the red zone.
Funchess has never caught 10 touchdown passes in a single season. The most he has had was eight back in 2017. It's time that he changes that in 2019 with the Colts and he and catches at least 10 touchdowns in 2019.
1. Don't Add Unneeded Pressure
Finally, for the first time in his career, Funchess will not have the pressure of being looked at as the top receiver on the roster. He can take his time and focus on being himself, which is a quality big target that makes catches and utilizes his size.
For the first time in his career, Funchess needs to focus on himself and not what everyone expects from him. He has a superstar quarterback throwing him the football and defenses will not be focusing on him. This is the ideal scenario that the Colts were able to offer Funchess and he will make the most of it.
