‘Every Man’ Jack Doyle Has Emerged as Key Colts Target at Tight End

Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle has quickly become a fan favorite for his hard-hat, hard-work, and all hustle game as a key member of the offense.

The former undrafted free agent from Western Kentucky played his way onto the Colts roster, only to eventually become the team’s primary tight end right now–clearly a testament to his hard work and character:

"Oct 23, 2016; Nashville, TN, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Jack Doyle (84) runs after a reception during the first half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports“Here’s the story with Jack Doyle,” said starting left tackle Anthony Castonzo via the Indianapolis Star’s Zak Keefer. “He comes in here, every single day, and works his ass off. End of story.”"

Perhaps the highest praise has come from 12-year veteran running back Frank Gore, who recently called Doyle ‘the best teammate he’s ever had‘:

"“Coming from the bottom,” said teammate Frank Gore on Doyle, “Undrafted free agent, getting cut here. To this? Man. He’s one of the best teammates I’ve ever been on a football team with.”"

The 6’6″, 267 pound tight end isn’t the biggest, strongest, most athletic tight end playing in the league, but he will outwork you. He will outsmart you. He understands the nuances of the position better than almost anyone.

With starting wide receiver Donte Moncrief and primary tight end Dwayne Allen recently missing action, it’s been Doyle who’s surprisingly stepped up his game the most.

In this past Sunday’s victory against the Tennessee Titans, Doyle had a career high game of 9 receptions for 78 receiving yards, as well as the game-winning touchdown.

The Colts have been searching for a possession receiver to replace Moncrief’s production, and so far, it’s been Doyle–not even Allen, who’s become the go-to, security blanket for starting quarterback Andrew Luck and the offense.

It shows in Doyle’s production too, as the former Cathedral High School standout is currently as follows among NFL tight ends: 6th in the league in receptions (29), 11th in receiving yards (282), and tied for 1st in receiving touchdowns (4).

Those aren’t all-world ‘Rob Gronkowski numbers’, but they’re pretty darn good for a player who entered the season as the team’s 2nd tight end and was largely considered to be an afterthought among other key Colts receivers:

For those wondering whether the Colts could adequately replace departed 2012 2nd round pick Coby Fleener‘s production as the 2nd tight end, Doyle currently has 8 more receptions, 1 more receiving yard, and 2 more receiving touchdowns than Fleener (*albeit in one more game).

When I think of Doyle’s game, I think of a ‘gamer’ in every sense of the word. The type of winning, gritty, core player that you always wish you could have more of, but can never seem to have enough:

A player who’s going to play hard, to the whistle, and even when he makes a mistake–he narrowly missed a touchdown reception with 7:15 left in the 2nd quarter on a high end zone throw, he’s going to come back, keep his head up, and make the next play–as evidenced by his game-winning touchdown late in Sunday’s victory against the Titans.