INDIANAPOLIS – The Indianapolis Colts’ pre-draft strategy can be quickly summarized.
They’ve either been:
*Unusually transparent with their need to add a difference-making tight end, perhaps with the No. 14 overall pick in round 1 on Thursday.
*Or run a bluff that would impress a world-class poker player.
This was general manager Chris Ballard on Monday.
“If we have a chance to take one that we think can really make a difference, we will do it,’’ he said.
And this was coach Shane Steichen on Tuesday.
“Obviously, we’re looking to add a pass-catching tight end, possibly,’’ he offered.
Reality or misinformation?
A quick assessment of the Colts’ roster begs for the rhetoric to be fact-based. Their tight ends room lacks anyone approaching a difference-making level and is coming off a historically-bad 2024 (a combined 39 catches, 467 yards and two touchdowns).
The draft offers a lifeline.
If we move forward with the premise the Colts will invest a first-round pick in a tight end for just the third time since 1970 – Dallas Clark in 2003, Reese McCall in 1978 – they should have a viable option when Ballard is on the clock around 10 o’clock Thursday evening at No. 14.
“It’s a really good class,’’ Ballard said. “We think there’s some good depth in this class.’’
Daniel Jeremiah and a host of others agree. The Fort Wayne native worked as an NFL scout for seven years with three teams, is with NFL Network and considered one of the more trusted draft analysts.
While there’s good depth, Jeremiah has Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland in a positional tier of their own.
“There’s a gap between those two and the rest of the group,’’ he said in a recent Zoom call.
In fact, Jeremiah has them among his top 7 players regardless of position. Warren is perched at No. 6 and Loveland at No. 7.
His analysis isn’t skewed. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranks Warren No. 8 and Loveland No. 11. Todd McShay has Warren at No. 4 and Colston at No. 9. The Big Board of ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. has Warren No. 7 and Loveland No. 12.
So, Warren vs. Colston?
“I think it’s just a flavor thing, you know?’’ Jeremiah said. “What do you value? What do you prefer?
“Loveland (has) a little more quickness off the line, a little more quickness at the top of routes, can really create separation. Warren is just a big, massive bully who is going to wall off guys down the field. I think he’s better on the move.’’
He was just getting started with his comparison of the 6-6, 261-pound Warren and 6-5, 245-pound Loveland.
“Whereas Loveland, if you are talking about gearing down and working back to the quarterback, he’s going to be a little more comfortable there,’’ Jeremiah said. “Whereas I think Warren, you run him down the seam, you’re running him on overs.
“And he’s just a bully when the ball is up in the air, and he’s a pain to get on the ground.
“Stylistically, (they’re) different. I would give Warren the edge in the run game, but Loveland competes in that department as well. I have them touching each other on the list, not just in the tight end position, but overall.’’
Then, there’s separation to the next tier of LSU’s Mason Taylor, Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr., Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson and Texas’s Gunnar Helm.
Jeremiah describes Taylor as a “safe’’ pick. The 6-5, 255-pounder is the son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. His uncle is another Hall of Famer, Zach Thomas.
“Mason Taylor is an emerging player in that everybody is comfortable with him,’’ Jeremiah said. “The kid has been around football his whole life.
“He’s one of those guys when you are talking to teams, ‘If you got wiped out (with how the draft unfolds), who would be your guy?’’’
If we get wiped out, we would just take Mason Taylor.
“He’s going to start the next eight, 10 years,’’ Jeremiah said. “Just a steady, solid player. I think he goes in the back half at one. At worst, he goes early 2.’’
Injury/rehab issues can’t be ignored.
Loveland underwent surgery to repair and reconstruct the AC joint in his right shoulder on Jan. 29 and wore a brace at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who handled the surgery, sent a letter to all 32 teams informing them Loveland would be cleared for training camps in late July. Dr. ElAttrache also repaired Anthony Richardson’s sprained right shoulder.
“It’s doing good. It’s feeling great,’’ Loveland said at the Combine. “Surgery went great. The X-rays look really good. I am just taking it day by day.
“So, from the 29th, after three months, I am able to run around and catch balls, have the whole range. After six months, I can do contact.’’
Arroyo missed most of the 2022-23 season with a torn ACL and did not work out at the Combine after suffering what’s believed to be a minor knee injury at the Senior Bowl.
Arroyo, noted Jeremiah, “can really fly (but) has had some injuries you’ve had to work around.’’
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.