The Indianapolis Colts have addressed several key positions of need during their offseason to date, but one area on this roster still stands out as requiring a possible adjustment before the next season begins: tight end.
The Colts have long desired this role, given that no tight end in Indianapolis has recorded more than 500 receiving yards in a season since 2018. Nonetheless, as the organization approaches a crucial season for everyone involved—from the front office to the coaching staff and the roster—this is a situation the team cannot afford to overlook completely before starting the upcoming campaign.
Consequently, the Colts may consider the draft to tackle those issues, or possibly a trade in the opinion of certain individuals.
In a recent trade suggestion by Bleacher Report’s Moe Moton, he believes the Colts could be an ideal spot for Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews, outlining a deal for Indianapolis to acquire the former All-Pro using a few draft picks:
Baltimore Ravens acquire: fourth-round selection (117th overall), seventh-round selection (232nd overall)
Indianapolis Colts acquire: Mark Andrews
“General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen can’t afford to depend on rookies for contributions,” Moton stated. “The Colts’ management should prefer experienced veterans instead of top-tier prospects in areas that require improvement.”
Mark Andrews could provide an instant solution at tight end, while Indianapolis can also select a player for the position to enhance Richardson or Jones’s opportunity to achieve commendable passing statistics in the upcoming season.
For the Colts, obtaining an immediate solution for the tight end role through a veteran signing could be the optimal option available for a team aiming to compete swiftly. If fully healthy and productive, Andrews can be just that.
Particularly when considering the Colts’ existing tight end squad, bringing in Andrews would represent a significant move forward.
“Tight ends Jelani Woods, Drew Ogletree, and Mo Alie-Cox are on the Colts roster, but they have not yet shown reliability in the passing game,” Moton stated. “Indianapolis has the opportunity to pursue a veteran who can enhance the team and guide a drafted tight end in a pivotal year for both the squad and its offense.”
The inclusion of Andrews provides this team with, at the very least, a temporary solution to their significant gap at tight end, eliminating the need to make a hasty pick at that position in the draft if the perfect match isn’t available.
There are certain potential issues regarding Andrews and his long-term potential going forward, and following his notorious mistake in last year’s playoffs against the Buffalo Bills, his incorporation into any team’s offense might provoke controversy among fans. However, for the Colts, the Ravens’ tight end might be a perfect match.