PFF Ranks Dwayne Allen as Having the NFL’s Worst Tight End Contract

According to Pro Football Focus’ Nathan Jahnke, Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen has the worst contract at his position in the NFL after inking a 4-year, $29.4M contract earlier this offseason:

"Sep 21, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) reacts to a holding call during a game against the New York Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports1. Dwayne Allen, Indianapolis ColtsYears remaining: FourAverage remaining cap hit (per year): $7.3 millionYear he can realistically be cut: 2018Among the more perplexing contracts this offseason was the one Dwayne Allen received when he re-signed with the Colts. Last year, his 0.56 yards per route run was the lowest for tight ends with at least 185 routes run. His run-blocking grade of 33.1 was the third-lowest among qualifying tight ends.2015 was a down year for Allen, and at his best, we’ve seen decent play from him. In fact, in his rookie season, he earned the highest run-blocking grade for tight ends. Allen has never topped 600 receiving yards or 50 catches in a season, marks hit by 12 other current NFL TEs. Even if Allen returns to playing like the best we’ve seen from him, he would be slightly overpaid. There is reason for optimism with Andrew Luck back and Coby Fleener no longer grabbing a share of Allen’s snaps, but even with those factors working in his favor, it’s hard to expect someone to play better than they’ve ever played during their second contract."

While the Colts are clearly rolling the dice on Allen’s long-term potential over necessarily proven production, the young tight end has unique versatility with his ability to both catch and block at a high level.

That’s why it was an easy decision for the Colts to ultimately choose Allen over his talented tight end free agent counterpart Coby Fleener:

"“His overall skill-set is just broader for the more things we want to do,” said general manager Ryan Grigson on The Dan Dakich Show on 1070 The Fan. “Whether it really be being a fierce blocker at the point of attack in-line. Whether it be catching a wheel route and running over a guy and getting to the sticks. He can do a lot things.”"

Much like the rest of the offense, the former 2012 3rd round pick of the Colts struggled this past season and was highly under-utilized like the team’s other tight ends.

Specifically, Allen was relegated to being a glorified extra offensive tackle, as he was called upon to in-line block in order to help a woeful pass blocking Colts offensive line rather than run routes:

As a result, Allen finished this past season with just 16 receptions for 109 receiving yards and a touchdown reception.

His blocking efficiency may have slipped all together too, as the tight end was called upon to block more and consequently placed in additional unfavorable one-on-one edge matchups.

Injuries have also limited Allen’s on-the-field production, as the 6’3″, 265 pound tight end has missed 21 games over the past 3 seasons, having not played a full season since his rookie year.

Still, if healthy, there’s reason for optimism.

Namely, the 26 year old tight tend is just one season removed from a year in which he caught 29 receptions for 395 receiving yards and a whopping 8 touchdown receptions. Not to mention, ProFootballFocus (subscription) rated him as the 9th best tight end overall in football that 2014 season with a +8.1 grade overall.

Having a fully healthy Andrew Luck, who missed 9 games last season because of injuries should also help Allen’s receiving production.

Additionally, new offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski, who’s highly regarded as a tight end guru and has had proven success at the position, sees Allen as a “definite weapon” for his offense:

"“I see Dwayne (Allen) as a guy that could be or is a definite weapon for us,” said Chudzinski earlier this offseason. “Again, his versatility is probably the thing that makes him unique in that he can do so many things well. It really allows us to be diverse on offense as well.”"

As such, the Colts are clearly looking to re-emphasize Allen in their offense as a receiver.

In theory, an improved offensive line led by promising rookie Ryan Kelly should allow Allen to be deployed more in the passing game as a big bodied weapon.

Something that general manager Ryan Grigson doesn’t think his team has done enough of regarding Allen’s first four seasons–particularly in the red zone:

"“And then his big body is a presence in the middle of the field,” added Grigson. “And that’s something that we kind’ve haven’t exposed enough with other defenses. And that is, using his big body and his presence in the red zone and in situations where he can just basically box people out and use that ‘big lower’ he has and all that strength he has and get the ball from people.”"

While Allen’s contract is bad based purely on last season’s production, the Colts tight end has been invaluable when healthy for the team. Specifically, he has a unique skill-set that can make him a very versatile weapon for the Colts offense.

The Colts are clearly banking on the big bodied tight end’s 2-way game and his long-term potential over the course of the next four years of his contract.

So far, he’s given good reason to.