The Indianapolis Colts have a pretty good history of productive tight ends. Dallas Clark is the second-most productive player at the position in franchise history, but he also had Peyton Manning, arguably the best quarterback in the history of the NFL, throwing him the ball. In other words, Clark played with a cheat code.
Jack Doyle was no hack either. He was a fan favorite for a reason. He specifically loved playing for the Colts after spending his college years at Western Kentucky, and he was good. He didn't produce Clark-type numbers, but he was a better blocker.
Current Indy tight end Will Mallory could be on the same track. He is a solid blocker, but could be a productive receiver. Currently, he is running with a number of other TEs behind rookie Tyler Warren, but Mallory could also be ready to live in the draft created by Warren's brilliance.
Will Mallory might be ready to make a big impact on the Indianapolis Colts
Colts head coach Shane Steichen has certainly been impressed by what he has seen from Mallory in training camp. This is especially true after Mallory seemingly worked on his route-running skills this offseason. The tight end isn't just happy to be paid to play football; he wants to get better and help Indy win games.
Steichen said after one recent practice, "He's a guy that when we saw him coming out of college a couple (of) years ago, good route runner, good hands, and then to see it progress over the last couple of years. Then going into this training camp, he's got a really good feel, a good knack, certain routes we put him on, but he's made some tight window catches in training camp so far."
In Doyle's first two seasons (he spent nine years in the league and all with Indianapolis), he had only 23 catches for 137 yards. He didn't get to more than 18 catches in a season until his fourth year. Doyle then made the Pro Bowl in 2017 (his fifth season) and 2019. He did what the team needed to try to win games, even without putting up Travis Kelce-level numbers.
In his two seasons in the NFL, Mallory has caught 22 passes for 236 yards. He might not get any more than 20 catches this season with Warren on the roster. But Mallory could also turn into the kind of compliment to Warren by 2026 that has Indy playing a ton of two-tight end sets with Mallory getting free looks as the defense focuses on Warren.
This preseason will be important to Will Mallory, though. Tyler Warren is going to make the Indianapolis Colts roster, obviously. Mallory is in a battle with Mo Alie-Cox and Drew Ogletree. But as well as the Western Kentucky product has played in training camp, he could be about to make his mark on Indy.