Grading the Colts 2023 NFL Draft class after their rookie season

Will Mallory: A

There were a lot of fifth-rounders in this draft, four to be exact, and Will Mallory was the best of the bunch when it came to the 2023 season. The Colts also saw a lot of this draft class suffer injuries, so when Mallory injured his foot in minicamp, and then pulled his hamstring right after training camp started, it seemed he was heading for the same fate.

He stayed the course though, and fought his way for opportunities throughout the year, and given the chaos that has been the Colts' tight end room this year, having him around has been a great thing. Playing mostly in a receiving role, the Miami product caught 18 passes for 207 yards in his limited action, but he showed flashes of being a solid tight end to have in this room.

Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox mainly held down the fort when it came to tight ends, but Mallory made his fair share of contributions. The A grade is given here based on where the Colts picked him, in the fifth round where you find a lot of players with injury troubles, or just prospect-type players, finding him was a solid grab.

He came in and had his injury issues, but competed for time once he was healthy, and heading into 2024 it is going to be tough to argue whether or not he should be getting more time. There may be an issue given the play of Granson, and the return of Jelani Woods, but keeping Mallory in this room provides good relief for those guys. Whichever way the Colts go about it, they will have a talented player starting at tight end, which is great for the future of this franchise.