- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 431,004
- Reaction score
- 44
INDIANAPOLIS — The NFL Draft is only a day away.
The Colts have more than one need.
Indianapolis has starting spots to fill on both sides of the ball, positions that need an upgrade.
But the Colts haven’t been shy about their need at the tight end position, and Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen left little doubt that the team would like to upgrade the spot in the draft.
“Obviously, we're looking to add a pass-catching tight end, possibly,” Steichen said at the start of the team’s offseason program on Tuesday. “We'll see how that plays out.”
The Colts have not made as many additions to the offensive side of the ball in free agency as they did in overhauling the secondary. Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job, and the Colts picked up Khalil Herbert to back up Jonathan Taylor at running back.
Uncertainty remains at right guard, where 2024 third-rounder Matt Goncalves is an option to replace departed starter Will Fries but might be better suited to play tackle.
Indianapolis trusts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. to find the right mix there.
“Tony's done a heck of a job developing that offensive line,” Steichen said. “Obviously, we got some spots to fill there too. There'll be some good competition upfront.”
The Colts do not have a clear starter at tight end.
Indianapolis has a pair of blockers, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree, paired with a young tight end in Will Mallory who profiles as a receiver but did not play much a year ago.
The Colts need a player who can handle it all.
“To be able to play on all three downs, to be able to be functional in the run game to where you don't necessarily know it's always a pass when he's in the game, and then to be able to finish and make plays at critical times and have him give the quarterback an option in the middle of the field,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said.
The good news is there are options who might be available at No. 14.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland and potentially LSU’s Mason Taylor could all be in play in the first round.
And at least one has caught the attention of one of the Indianapolis stars.
“That Penn State tight end,” Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “I’ve personally seen what he can do to my USC Trojans.”
The Colts need a tight end.
The next couple of days seem like a good time to find one.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts draft: Shane Steichen says team is looking for pass-catching TE
Continue reading...
The Colts have more than one need.
Indianapolis has starting spots to fill on both sides of the ball, positions that need an upgrade.
But the Colts haven’t been shy about their need at the tight end position, and Indianapolis head coach Shane Steichen left little doubt that the team would like to upgrade the spot in the draft.
“Obviously, we're looking to add a pass-catching tight end, possibly,” Steichen said at the start of the team’s offseason program on Tuesday. “We'll see how that plays out.”
The Colts have not made as many additions to the offensive side of the ball in free agency as they did in overhauling the secondary. Indianapolis signed Daniel Jones to compete with Anthony Richardson for the starting quarterback job, and the Colts picked up Khalil Herbert to back up Jonathan Taylor at running back.
Uncertainty remains at right guard, where 2024 third-rounder Matt Goncalves is an option to replace departed starter Will Fries but might be better suited to play tackle.
Indianapolis trusts offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. to find the right mix there.
“Tony's done a heck of a job developing that offensive line,” Steichen said. “Obviously, we got some spots to fill there too. There'll be some good competition upfront.”
The Colts do not have a clear starter at tight end.
Indianapolis has a pair of blockers, Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree, paired with a young tight end in Will Mallory who profiles as a receiver but did not play much a year ago.
The Colts need a player who can handle it all.
“To be able to play on all three downs, to be able to be functional in the run game to where you don't necessarily know it's always a pass when he's in the game, and then to be able to finish and make plays at critical times and have him give the quarterback an option in the middle of the field,” Colts general manager Chris Ballard said.
The good news is there are options who might be available at No. 14.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren, Michigan’s Colston Loveland and potentially LSU’s Mason Taylor could all be in play in the first round.
And at least one has caught the attention of one of the Indianapolis stars.
“That Penn State tight end,” Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “I’ve personally seen what he can do to my USC Trojans.”
The Colts need a tight end.
The next couple of days seem like a good time to find one.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Colts draft: Shane Steichen says team is looking for pass-catching TE
Continue reading...
