Report: Colts Have Taken a ‘Close Look’ at South Carolina TE Jerell Adams

Nov 21, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jerell Adams (89) runs for yards after the catch chased by Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Dondray Copeland (22) during first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 21, 2015; Columbia, SC, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks tight end Jerell Adams (89) runs for yards after the catch chased by Citadel Bulldogs linebacker Dondray Copeland (22) during first half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports /
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According to the Indianapolis Star’s Stephen Holder, the Indianapolis Colts have taken a “close look” at South Carolina tight end Jerell Adams among other prospects at the position:

The 6’5″, 247 pound tight end was the Gamecocks 2nd leading receiver with 28 receptions for 421 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions in 12 games this past season.

As a former standout high school basketball player, Adams appears to have the physical size and athletic ability that the Colts seem to covet at the tight end position.

The former freshman All-SEC tight end with the Gamecocks is currently projected to be a mid-round draft pick (via his NFL.com draft profile):

"NFL COMPARISONTyler Kroft"

"BOTTOM LINETall and lanky for a tight end, Adams actually has better play strength than the eye­ test might indicate. Adams doesn’t have the surest hands in this draft, but he is unique in that he can challenge defenses down the field and shows the potential to be helpful as a run blocker. Adams should come in as a quality backup with an “eventual starter” tag tied to him."

Of course, the Colts could use additional tight end depth behind starter Dwayne Allen.

Currently, the team lost it’s other highly regarded tight end Coby Fleener to the New Orleans Saints in free agency and last year’s 3rd-string tight end Jack Doyle remains a restricted free agent. 

Otherwise, converted basketball star Erik Swoope is competing for a roster spot at tight end after spending this past season on the team’s practice squad, while Cameron Clear and Mike McFarland were signed this offseason for depth as well. 

Considering that Colts starting quarterback Andrew Luck has always been surrounded by talented tight ends while utilizing an abundance of 2-tight end sets at both the professional and collegiate ranks, a highly regarded tight end prospect such as Adams could make quite a deal of sense in the mid-rounds of this year’s NFL Draft.