The Indianapolis Colts have a few different needs on their roster following the first wave of free agency.
However, the team’s biggest weakness ahead of free agency remains its biggest need now: tight end. ESPN’s Field Yates shared an embarrassing stat that makes the team’s need at TE even larger, and it goes back much further than the 2024 season.
The Colts’ struggles at TE go way further back than last season
Yates shared that the Colts haven’t had a TE record at least 500 receiving yards since 2018. That is six straight seasons of the team’s receiving leader at TE, unable to reach that milestone. To make it even worse, the team hasn’t had a TE reach 400 receiving yards since 2019.
2024: Kylen Granson 182 yards
2023: Kylen Granson 368 yards
2022: Jelani Woods 312 yards
2021: Mo Alie-Cox 316 yards
2020: Mo Alie-Cox 394 yards
2019: Jack Doyle 448 yards
2018: Eric Ebron 750 yards
It also seems important to say the team’s quarterback situation has played a role in these numbers. The last time a TE recorded over 500 yards in a season for the Colts, Andrew Luck was still the QB. However, the team also does not have enough talent in the room to help out the multiple QBs under center. This past year, the team had arguably the worst production from the TE room in the NFL, with the leader in the room not even getting to 200 yards and Kylen Granson recording 182 yards. And he won’t be back with the team in 2025 due to his signing with the Philadelphia Eagles.
As a result, the Colts are linked to many of the top TEs in the 2025 NFL Draft class. TE has been far and away the most popular position moved to the team at pick 14, and if they pass there, I don’t see a way the team can afford to wait long to address the position. A few players that seem like the best fits for the Colts at TE would be the following:
- Tyler Warren, Penn State (First round)
- Colston Loveland, Michigan (First round)
- Mason Taylor, LSU (Trade back first round or second round)
- Elijah Arroyo, Miami (Day two)
- Terrance Ferguson, Oregon (Dayo two)
- Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska (Day two)