Colts 2015 Position Review: Tight Ends
By Evan Reller
The Indianapolis Colts season is over, but how did they perform at each position and will those players be back in 2016?
The Colts tight ends in 2014 were dangerous weapons for the offense. A rotation of three players combined for 18 touchdowns in 2014, but all seemingly regressed this season. The trio produced just five touchdowns this season and all saw their usage drop in 2015.
The quarterback issues surely affected this unit, but it went beyond that. Each player has their own unique limitations and flaws that have nothing to do with Andrew Luck. Dwayne Allen was used correctly this season and forced to block more often than not. Coby Fleener struggles to get any yards after a reception. And Jack Doyle is limited in his skill set, but makes the most of the snaps he’s given.
Last season, this looked like a premiere unit that was going to cause all kinds of problems for opponents. They should have built on the wildly successful 2014, but instead the Colts decided to completely change up how they were going to use their tight ends. It didn’t work, but that doesn’t mean that the Colts can’t bring all three back in 2016 and get a great year out of their tight ends.
Coby Fleener
Grade: C+
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What went right: Fleener wasn’t detrimental to the offense? Honestly, all of the tight ends underperformed this season as the the team seemed to forget how to use them. Fleeners receptions this year were slightly up (but everything else was way down). Across the board, Fleener received the best grades from PFF not just for receiving, but run and pass blocking as well.
What went wrong: Fleener essentially became a joke this season. His yards after the catch were laughable (147 of his 491 yards were after the catch). His yards per reception dropped from 15.2 in 2014 to just 9.1 this season. Fleener is best suited to being used like a wide receiver and the Colts seemed to forget that their top two tight ends can catch the ball. It’s easy to chalk up his failings to a lack of Luck, but Fleener’s struggles after the catch suggest otherwise.
Offseason expectations: Fleener is a free agent and his status seems to be up in the air. He has a history with Luck and was incredibly valuable during the 2014 season. He isn’t a horrible tight end (despite what some might have you believe) but he does have some shortcomings. If feels like Fleener is more likely to be re-signed than Allen, but nothing says they can’t both come back to the fold.
Grade: D+
What went right: Honestly, this was a horrible season for Allen and nothing really went his way. Allen’s strengths were not utilized as he was kept in-line to block more often than not as the Colts seemed to forget he’s great with the ball in his hands.
What went wrong: Pretty much everything. His run blocking was bad, his pass blocking was better but not great, and he struggled in his meager receiving attempts. Somehow Allen was targeted just 29 times and he had 16 receptions, just over half what he caught in 2014. Allen went from eight touchdowns in 2014 to just one this season. The Colts flat out underutilized Allen in 2015, even as he was healthy for most of the year.
Offseason expectations: Allen has stated that he wants to return to Indianapolis, but whether or not they can work out a deal is another matter. His health is still a matter of concern as a calf injury put him on IR in Week 17, and he missed three games this year total. Allen also didn’t seem all that happy about being kept in as an extra lineman for most of the year. Talent wise, Allen is clearly better than Fleener but the Colts don’t seem to know how to effectively utilize either tight end. With the changes to the coaching staff and presumably a new offensive scheme in 2016, Allen could be the beneficiary of a big rebound season. Of course that assumes the Colts bring him back.
Jack Doyle
Grade: C
What went right: Doyle is a solid blocker who performed admirably given limited snaps. He graded out better than Allen this season but is still at just below average as a player. That said, he fits the “role player” mold well and seems to have a good understanding of what his skill set is. Doyle is best suited to run blocking and played some snaps in a full back style position.
What went wrong: Doyle is just a limited player. He struggled this season as a pass blocker and is just about average as a receiver. He made the most of his opportunities, catching 12 of his 14 targets this season (with half going for first downs). But really the Colts have him as a blocker, who is sometimes utilized in the play action as a surprise receiver.
Offseason expectations: Doyle is a restricted free agent this offseason and I’d be surprised if they didn’t bring the hometown kid back. He does the dirty work for the Colts and is an effective run blocker. He’ll never be a top tier pass catching tight end, but for what the Colts ask him to do he’s a good fit.