Colts: 3 tight ends Indy can trade for if they don’t trust Mo Alie-Cox

The Colts may need to trade for a tight end if injuries persist.

Following the signing of Trey Burton, the Indianapolis Colts were said to have one of the deepest tight end units in the NFL. While we would argue that buzz was a little premature, it did make sense as Burton and his versatility in terms of being able to line up anywhere on the field made for a perfect complement to sure-handed starter Jack Doyle.

Well, it unfortunately hasn’t taken long for that hype to blow up in the Colts’ face as Burton landed on injured reserve with a calf injury to start the year, meaning that he will be out through at least Week 3. Considering the six-year veteran’s history with lower leg injuries, fans should be hoping his spell on the sidelines doesn’t extend beyond that.

Doyle, meanwhile, was officially ruled out of the Colts’ all-important clash with Minnesota on Sunday due to both knee and ankle injuries, which has prompted many media members to question if his three-year $21 million contract extension was a mistake.

This means that Colts fans should be expecting Mo Alie-Cox to be the team’s starting tight end in Week 2. The third-year pro’s monster 6-foot-5, 267-pound frame suggests he should be able to make an impact right away, but his NFL experience is extremely limited. He’s made just three starts in his career, logging 17 receptions for 246 yards and two touchdowns during that span.

With that in mind, it wouldn’t be surprising if head coach Frank Reich and the rest of the Colts’ coaching staff doesn’t have a ton of conviction in Alie-Cox and is plotting to target TE insurance via trade. The current market is pretty bereft, but these three players could definitely get a job done.

3. Jason Witten

The Colts could target Witten, who had just one reception in his Raiders debut.

We know that the prospect of acquiring Jason Witten doesn’t move the needle among fans. It also wouldn’t fix the Colts’ glaring problem at tight end. However, beggars can’t be choosers and the fact of the matter is that Indianapolis is desperate for depth at the position.

At 38 years old, Witten isn’t going to turn heads with his athleticism, but he’s seemingly always open in the middle of the field and his hands are undeniably still among the most reliable in the NFL. Over the last three seasons with the Cowboys — before his move to Las Vegas — he tallied 195 receptions for 1,762 yards and 12 touchdowns.

Those are pretty impressive numbers for a player widely regarded to be in the twilight of his career. Nobody’s saying the 11-time Pro Bowler will turn back the clock and enjoy a spectacular season, but he would certainly serve as a needed security blanket for quarterback Philip Rivers on third down and in the red zone.

2. Jacob Hollister

The Colts should ask the Seahawks about one of their many tight ends.

Patriots general manager Bill Belichick doesn’t often put a foot wrong in trades, but there’s no doubting that he messed up in cutting bait with Jacob Hollister during the 2019 offseason in exchange for a seventh-round draft pick.

Since then, Hollister emerged as a reliable red-zone threat for Seattle last year after taking over No. 1 duties following Will Dissly’s season-ending injury. In 11 games (three starts), the 26-year-old compiled 41 receptions for 349 yards and three touchdowns while playing just 46% of the offensive snaps. Those numbers truly don’t even begin to describe the value he brought to the Seahawks’ offense.

If Week 1 of the 2020 campaign was any indication, however, it’s that Hollister has fallen well down the pecking order in the passing game. In a game where Seattle posted 38 points and Russell Wilson completed 31 passes for 322 yards and four touchdowns, the fourth-year TE managed one reception for nine yards.

Following the acquisition of veteran Greg Olsen and the return of Dissly, it’s possible that Hollister is now the fifth or sixth option in the Seahawks’ aerial attack. This could prompt GM John Schneider to entertain trade offers for him. If he does, the Colts should definitely get on the phone.

1. Cameron Brate

The Colts can also call the Bucs regarding their tight end surplus.

The Buccaneers are absolutely flush with pass-catching options for Tom Brady. However, as good and experienced as the six-time champion is, there’s just no way he’ll be able to appease all of their appetites.

One could argue that Tampa Bay has three tight ends — Rob Gronkowski, OJ Howard and Cameron Brate — that would start on more than half (maybe more) of the league’s teams. As evidenced by the start of the season, however, the latter is going to be the odd man out as he failed to register a reception while playing less than 48% of the offensive snaps.

That sounds harsh, but it makes sense as Gronk and Howard are two of the most physically imposing tight ends the NFL has to offer. Taking all of that into consideration, it would make sense for Colts GM Chris Ballard to get on the phone and inquire about Brate’s availability.

With all due respect to Alie-Cox, Indianapolis simply cannot get by at TE with both Doyle and Burton on the shelf. If you ask us, the 51-year-old executive could do a lot worse than acquiring a player, presumably on the cheap, who’s found the end zone 24 times over the last four seasons.

Colts: Philip Rivers can’t listen to the noise ahead of Week 2

Indianapolis Colts QB Philip Rivers is going to have to deflect a lot of bothersome criticism ahead of Week 2 against the Vikings.