Veterans and rookies for the Indianapolis Colts will report for training camp on July 24th, with the first practice taking place on July 25th.
Between now and then I will be previewing the Colts’ 91-man roster with a look back at each player’s 2023 season, along with what’s ahead for 2024.
I’ll be going through the Colts’ roster alphabetically, so up next is tight end Will Mallory. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.
2023 Season Review
Mallory was a fifth-round pick by the Colts in last year’s draft out of Miami. As a rookie, he was on the field for 159 snaps, the fourth-most at the tight end position for the Colts.
Most of Mallory’s opportunities came on passing downs, with nearly 60 percent of his snaps coming lined up in the slot. However, we also saw Mallory lined up in-line, out wide, and even in the backfield on a few occasions.
He was reliable, catching 18 of his 22 targets at 11.5 yards per catch. And although it was a small sample size, according to PFF, Mallory did grade out well as a run-blocker by their metrics.
“The way he is running routes, the way he is catching the football, creating separation – he’s done a heck of a job,” Shane Steichen said during the season. “He’s showed up big time for us in a few games catching the football.
“You can see the growth from him and it’s awesome to see a rookie take that next step every week like he has. Credit to him and the work he puts in, and Tom Manning, our tight ends coach, for getting him prepared.”
Mallory is an excellent athlete and adds more speed to the tight end position for the Colts, running a 4.57-second 40 during the 2023 pre-draft process.
2024 Season Preview
With no turnover in the tight end room for the Colts, Mallory could again find himself as the fourth member of this unit.
Jelani Woods brings the pass-catching element to the position, Mo Alie-Cox, as well as Drew Ogletree, have primarily been blockers, while Kylen Granson can fill a similar role as the move tight end.
The transition from college to the NFL at the tight end position can be one of the more daunting jumps because of all the responsibilities a that position has–needing to effect both the running and passing games, while also being able to do so from a variety of alignments.
However, having a high-caliber move tight end can do wonders for an offense, helping to open up the playbook for Shane Steichen as well as disguising looks pre-snap.
As a rookie, Mallory was most often used in the passing game, but as part of his development, you’ll want to see more added to his plate, specifically in the run game and lining up more often in-line, to help him continue to grow into a well-rounded player.
“He’s learning new stuff and maybe goes out to practice and gets a rep and it’s not perfect and then he learns from it and the next day it’s better and then you look up in the game and he’s made that catch, he’s gotten open on that route,” offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter said last season.
“He’s doing a nice job developing as a young player in this league. I think he’s learning a ton, I’m sure if you asked him I would guess he would say that. He’s getting better and better – that’s good for us. We need guys that will go out there and play good ball within the role that’s defined for them. Will is doing that and when you do that, you earn a little bit more.”