Will Mallory faces tough Indianapolis Colts TE competition

Miami tight end Will Mallory will face tough competition with the Indianapolis Colts who selected him with the 162nd overall pick in the fifth round of the NFL Draft on Saturday. Indianapolis has a deep and talented TE corps. Indianapolis drafted Jelani Woods in the third round in 2022 and Kylen Granson in the fourth round in 2021.

The 6’7, 265-pound Woods had 25 receptions for 312 yards and three TDs as a rookie last season. Granson has 42 receptions for 408 yards without a TD in two seasons. Granson led the Colts’ TEs in receiving in 2022 with 31 receptions for 302 yards. Indianapolis also has veteran Mo Alie-Cox at TE.

Indianapolis signed veteran Pharaoh Brown and has young TE Andrew Ogletree on the roster who the Colts drafted 192nd overall in the sixth round in 2022. Brown is more of a blocking TE that has only 51 career receptions for 478 yards and two TDs in nine seasons. Ogletree missed all of 2022 after tearing his ACL in training camp.

Indianapolis reportedly likes four TEs on their roster. Will Mallory making the Colts roster could be decided by how Indianapolis wants to construct their TE corps. Alie-Cox, Granson and Woods seem safe making the Colts’ roster. There has been some speculation Indianapolis could move Alie-Cox.

The primary competition for Mallory to make the Indianapolis roster should be Brown and Ogletree. Indianapolis will have to decide if they need a blocker with that fourth TE if Alie-Cox is still on the roster or if they want a more receiving-oriented TE. The health of Ogletree will also be a factor in which TEs make the Colts’ roster.

Mallory had good numbers at the NFL Combine. His 4.54 40-yard dash led TEs. Mallory will have to improve as a blocker to have a productive NFL career. The versatility Mallory has shown as a receiver should also help him in the NFL. Mallory has shown the ability to play in-line split out wide or play in the slot.