Analyst Ranks Colts' Tight End Room Bottom-Tier in Efficiency

The Indianapolis Colts tight end room fell to the deepest depths on an analytical list of all 32 NFL groups.

Oct 13, 2024; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Mo Alie-Cox (81) makes a catch during pregame warmups against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images / Steve Roberts-Imagn Images

It's well known at this point that the Indianapolis Colts tight end room was brutal as a pass-catching unit in 2024. Whether Anthony Richardson or Joe Flacco took the offensive reins didn't matter, Indy's tight ends were almost non-existent downfield.

It was made more apparent with a graphic from Mile High Report's Joe Mahoney breaking down the receiving prowess of all 32 tight end rooms. While Mahoney's team, the Denver Broncos, were at the bottom, Indy isn't trailing far at 31st.

The Bronco TE room was arguably the worst in the NFL in 2024.
Ranks:
TGT - 30th
REC - 30th
CATCH% - 22nd
REC Yds - 30th
REC TD - T-13th
REC 1D - Dead Last

at least they only had one drop which was tied for league lead among TE rooms pic.twitter.com/GYQduRJVIA

— Joe Mahoney (@ndjomo76) January 24, 2025

The Colts only secured 39 catches as a tight end room, and while the Broncos are last on this chart for efficiency, Indy's was arguably the bottom-dweller.

Below are the brief statistics (targets, receptions, receiving yards, and touchdowns) for all four Colts tight ends who caught a pass in 2024.

Kylen Granson | 31 targets; 14 catches; 182 receiving yards; 0 touchdowns

Mo Alie-Cox | 22 targets; 12 catches; 147 receiving yards; 1 touchdown

Drew Ogletree | 14 targets; 9 catches; 109 receiving yards; 1 touchdown

Will Mallory | 8 targets; 4 catches; 29 receiving yards; 0 touchdowns

If Indianapolis wants to progress Shane Steichen's offense a true tight end must emerge. It's fair to say that the blocking was often on point, as Pro Football Focus has Granson (65.9), Alie-Cox (64.2), and Ogletree (70.3) all blocked in the run effectively.

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However, in the NFL a pass-catching tight end can elevate an offense by taking over the middle of the field, redzone, or short-yardage passing situations. A quarterback who struggled like Richardson did with his accuracy likely benefits big from a reliable tight end.

Draft prospects like Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland have been considered fits for Indianapolis. While the Colts still have the athletic Jelani Woods in the room, he's been out for two seasons with season-wiping injuries. Sadly, he can't be remotely relied upon until a Hail Mary is answered.

The most attractive options available in free agency are names like Tyler Conklin and Juwan Johnson. While these two, and others, can make a splash, Chris Ballard needs to get a young and bright player instead of a veteran.

There is a great likelihood that Ballard goes the route of tight end for the 14th overall selection, or maybe higher if Indy decides a trade is necessary to secure the player. It might sound off to say-but Richardson's future might depend on securing a reliable tight end.

The Colts haven't had much at this position since Eric Ebron's immaculate 2018 Pro Bowl campaign, so it's time to adjust that narrative. The Colts have Granson and Alie-Cox as free agents, so we'll see how they address the room as the 2025 offseason is in full-steam.

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