Colts' Quest for the Elusive Three-Down Tight End: A Game-Changer in the Making?

As this NFL season hovers on the horizon, the Indianapolis Colts find themselves in a rather peculiar pickle regarding their starting quarterback come next September… With training camp looming like a storm on the horizon, and the starting lineup still an enigma, it seems almost fate-like that we’re discussing their crucial need for a trusty tight end in this scenario. Their need is glaring, and mock drafts have the whispers of the wind, suggesting top tight end prospects Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland might be wearing the Horseshoe come draft night. During a press conference, the team’s GM, Chris Ballard,—though he didn’t name names—voiced his seamless intention to bolster this position. To say it’s a challenge finding a lad who’s worth a first-round pick is an understatement.

Ah, but let’s delve into the complexities of what makes a tight end not just a pass-catcher but an integral piece of the puzzle. A three-down workhorse, they say, someone who confounds the run game defense and magically becomes the quarterback’s ally in the clutch. In Nathaniel Hackett’s own words, via the Colts’ esteemed online presence, such players are the unicorns of football, hard to capture, harder to tame.

While Warren and Loveland may shine as the crème de la crème of this year’s TE class, it’s noteworthy that majestics like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews were late bloomers in the draft. Now, as Ballard faces the conundrum of when, where, and how high to invest in the tight end realm, the Colts’ future at this position hangs in the balance. A pivotal draft decision for Indianapolis could well set the course for next season. LEARN MORE

Warren and Loveland are at the top of the class, but Ballard noted that players like Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Mark Andrews were selected later in the draft. Wherever Ballard decides to pull the trigger, the Colts could use a direct hit. Their obvious need at the position has led to many mock drafts that see them land Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland with the 14th overall pick on Thursday night. General Manager Chris Ballard didn’t discuss those players directly during a Monday press conference, but acknowledged that he’d like to make an addition at the position. The Colts don’t know who will be starting at quarterback when they hit the field in September, but they know they’d like to have a dynamic tight end helping Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones succeed in the passing game. “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,” Ballard said, via the team’s website. Ballard also acknowledged that it is “hard to find” the kind of player who does enough to make him worth an investment in the first round.