{"id":45057,"date":"2018-06-20T19:21:05","date_gmt":"2018-06-20T23:21:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=45057"},"modified":"2018-06-20T22:49:40","modified_gmt":"2018-06-21T02:49:40","slug":"colts-rookie-spotlight-deon-cain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/06\/20\/colts-rookie-spotlight-deon-cain\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis Colts Rookie Spotlight: Deon Cain"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Indianapolis Colts selected <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/C\/CainDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Deon Cain<\/a><\/strong> with the 185th overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft. Cain played college football at Clemson, and <em>should<\/em> provide solid depth for the Colts. Clemson has produced plenty of playmakers at the receiver position, so are the Colts getting a mere role player, or a steady force to pair with <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HiltT.00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">T.Y. Hilton<\/a><\/strong>?<\/p>\n<h1><strong>Indianapolis Colts Rookie Spotlight: Deon Cain<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p>Cain&#8217;s college career at Clemson had good and bad moments. He failed a drug test and was <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/story\/_\/id\/14463932\/clemson-tigers-send-3-home-including-deon-cain\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">suspended during his freshman season<\/a>, which caused him to miss the College Football Playoff. The very next season was resilient, as he played in all 15 games capped off by a <a href=\"http:\/\/www.espn.com\/college-football\/boxscore?gameId=400876570\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">solid performance<\/a> in the National Championship win over Alabama. Cain was overshadowed by the presence of fellow wide receiver <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillMi07.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Mike Williams<\/a><\/strong>, however his athletic ability and physicality are attractive traits.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Colts select WR Deon Cain with the 185th pick<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NFLDraft?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#NFLDraft<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/UJdOiuwQNE\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/UJdOiuwQNE<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; B\/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brgridiron\/status\/990319667171377152?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 28, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>He finished his junior season with 58 receptions for 734 yards, while scoring six touchdowns. Critics point to Cain&#8217;s drop in production once Williams left as a weakness.\u00a0 The departure of Heisman finalist quarterback <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WatsDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Deshaun Watson<\/a> <\/strong>must not be overlooked.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Colts did not expect Deon Cain to be there in the sixth round, Ballard said. He thinks the off the field stuff is part of his slide, but it&#39;s also related to production. Ballard says Clemson having a young QB was a factor there.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HolderStephen\/status\/990381815524405248?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">April 29, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h1>Wide Receiver Depth Chart<\/h1>\n<p>The active depth chart after Hilton is wide open for the Colts.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/M\/MoncDo00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Donte Moncrief<\/a><\/strong> left as a free agent to sign with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team will not resign <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/A\/AikeKa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kamar Aiken<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/R\/RogeCh02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chester Rogers<\/a><\/strong> returns, with free agent acquisition <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/G\/GranRy01.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Ryan Grant<\/a><\/strong> joining the fray. The Colts also drafted <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/F\/FounDa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Daurice Fountain<\/a><\/strong> from Northern Iowa in the 5th round.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Grant will most likely serve as the Colts second starting wide receiver. He has the most experience at the NFL level among receivers not named Hilton. Last season with the Washington Redskins, Grant caught 45 passes for 573 yards and four touchdowns.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Ryan Grant signs with the <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Colts?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">@Colts<\/a>: <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/DKiyXL6IZX\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/DKiyXL6IZX<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XJpPwUWn57\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/XJpPwUWn57<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; NFL (@NFL) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFL\/status\/976224399404740608?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">March 20, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>This leaves Rogers, Fountain, and Cain to battle for remaining targets. None of the Colts many UDFA wide receivers are expected to make the leap to the active roster at this time.\u00a0<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WillKa02.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Kasen Williams<\/a><\/strong> stands the best chance, but he only has 10 careers receptions to his name.<\/p>\n<h1>Will Cain make an impact in 2018?<\/h1>\n<p>Cain is showing his value during OTA practices. His ability to catch the football at the high point could lead toward red zone success. His athleticism has been on full display and the early reviews are glowing.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Sirianni on Deon Cain: He&#39;s not just fast, &quot;but he can get in and out of breaks&quot; quickly. Quickness combined with speed is the key there.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HolderStephen\/status\/1006928171663585280?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">One guy who keeps jumping out in red zone drills: rookie WR Deon Cain. Kid\u2019s got some nifty hands and footwork.<\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/zkeefer\/status\/1004766223035457536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">June 7, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Colts?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">#Colts<\/a> think they got a steal in the sixth round with an \u201cuber-talented\u201d prospect in WR Deon Cain.<\/p>\n<p>Morocco Brown, the team\u2019s Director of College Scouting, explains why:<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/6NDapH1j00\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/t.co\/6NDapH1j00<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nYjcPg5Du1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pic.twitter.com\/nYjcPg5Du1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>&mdash; Andrew Walker (@AWalkerColts) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AWalkerColts\/status\/995647810715385857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">May 13, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>Most player evaluations in June should not be taken too seriously. But good reports are better than the contrary. Deon Cain could very well find himself on the field sooner than anticipated for a sixth round pick. Before the 2018 draft, NFL analyst Lance Zierlein <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/prospects\/deon-cain?id=32462018-0002-5601-476e-1c21b13a4045\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">pegged Cain as a second or third round pick<\/a>, stating &#8220;Cain is a classic Clemson receiver with a good combination of size and speed and an underappreciated feel for the position.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/H\/HopkDe00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">DeAndre Hopkins<\/a><\/strong>, <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/W\/WatkSa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Sammy Watkins<\/a><\/strong>, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/B\/BryaMa00.htm?utm_campaign=Linker&amp;utm_source=direct&amp;utm_medium=linker-\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Martavis Bryant<\/a><\/strong> are former Clemson wide receivers that are stellar assets for their NFL teams. The Colts will be ecstatic if Cain approaches that level of play.<\/p>\n<p>Main Photo:<a id=\"62x9aEKzRxxz4eHKZZFlLQ\" class=\"gie-single\" style=\"color: #a7a7a7; text-decoration: none; font-weight: normal !important; border: none; display: inline-block;\" href=\"http:\/\/www.gettyimages.com\/detail\/884611902\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Embed from Getty Images<\/a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'62x9aEKzRxxz4eHKZZFlLQ',sig:'g2hHnfOlI5oR0Ap_ZUnCXS2_9FEHN7giYkQspPNx2Tk=',w:'594px',h:'385px',items:'884611902',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});<\/script><script src='\/\/embed-cdn.gettyimages.com\/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Deon Cain played college football at Clemson, and should provide depth for the Colts. Is Indianapolis getting a role player, or a true playmaker?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1919,"featured_media":45110,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"1","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12,54],"tags":[1671,4091,61,56,40,121],"class_list":["post-45057","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-colts","category-editorials","tag-clemson-tigers","tag-deon-cain","tag-football","tag-indianapolis-colts","tag-nfl","tag-t-y-hilton"],"modified_by":"John Bava","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45057","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1919"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=45057"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/45057\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/45110"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=45057"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=45057"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=45057"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}