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 Mo Alie-Cox. To stay up to date with our other previews, be sure to head over to Colts Wire.
2023 Season Review
Mo Alie-Cox played in all 17 games last season, and was on the field for 38 percent of the Colts’ offensive snaps, trailing only Kylen Gransen at the tight end position.
As a pass-catcher, Alie-Cox caught 13 of his 21 targets at 12.4 yards per catch with three touchdowns. His primary role, however, comes as a run-blocker in this Colts’ offense. Out of 83 eligible tight ends last season, Alie-Cox ranked 20th in PFF’s run-blocking grade. He also played 123 special teams snaps as well.
2024 Season Preview
The potential outcomes for Alie-Cox this season are quite wide-ranging. On one hand, he could again be an important part of this Colts offense as a blocker and possible red zone target.
On the other end of things, as PFF suggested, Alie-Cox could be cut when the Colts are putting together thier initial rosters. Alie-Cox is due a base salary of $5.41 million this season but has no guarantees left in his deal–meaning that releasing him would save the Colts $5.92 million in cap space.
My expectation right now is that Alie-Cox is going to be on the Colts team this season. The Colts don’t have that go-to option at this position group, but GM Chris Ballard has built a unit with a diverse group of skill sets that has the unit as a whole equipped to handle just about any gameplan or situation that the Colts might face, and Alie-Cox’s ability to impact the run game is a part of that equation.
In addition to that, the second most popular personnel package Shane Steichen utilized in 2023 consisted of having two tight ends on the field, so depth is important.
Ultimately, whether or not Alie-Cox is on the Week 1 roster or what his playing time this season looks like will be dependent upon how he performs this summer, along with how the Colts feel about Drew Ogletree and if he can step into a larger – and similar – role.