The Facts: The Colts are signing Johnson to a one-year deal, a league source told IndyStar, a month after the team decided not to tender the deep threat as a restricted free agent, a move that gave Johnson a chance to test the open market.

Diehards Line: Johnson, who did not make the roster out of training camp, blossomed as a deep threat in the second half of the season, even though the rest of the passing game struggled mightily down the stretch. Forced into the starting lineup in the second half of the season by a rash of injuries, Johnson played 417 snaps in the final eight games and caught 17 passes for 277 yards and two touchdowns, leading the team with an average of 16.3 yards per catch. Johnson’s speed provided an explosive element the Colts sorely lacked last season. Indianapolis defines an explosive passing play as any throw that produces 16 yards or more; eight of Johnson’s 17 catches covered more than 16 yards, including grabs of 50 yards and 46 yards against Tampa Bay. Drops did limit Johnson's production — three drops in 33 targets — but Colts coach Frank Reich has said in the past that he is willing to deal with a few drops if a receiver can create big plays. Now, Johnson will get a chance to carve out a permanent role as a deep threat in the Indianapolis offense this year, bringing veteran depth to the position no matter what the Colts decide to do with the wide receiver position in the draft.