Trio of Colts tight ends flashed potential during training camp

Trio of Colts tight ends flashed potential during training camp originally appeared on The Sporting News

Indianapolis Colts training camp from Grand Park has wrapped up for the summer. All that stands between the Colts and their Sept. 7 regular season opener against the Dolphins are two final preseason contests with the Packers and Bengals. 

During their weeks of practice, several players have turned heads, including a trio of players at a position that underwhelmed in 2024. 

Sports Illustrated’s Jake Arthur identified tight ends Jelani Woods, Will Mallory and rookie Tyler Warren as three players who are “trending up” as roster cuts approach. 

Warren has been exactly as advertised and is so far meeting the expectations the Colts had for him when drafting the former Penn State Nittany Lion 14th overall in April. 

Arthur adds that Warren “could completely transform” the Colts offense in 2025. 

Both Mallory and Woods are competing with each other for the fourth and likely final tight end spot on the roster, giving general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen a difficult decision to make. 

This was a pivotal camp for Mallory, who has been a promising pass-catcher in his first two years, but hasn't been able to consistently crack the gameday lineup due to his limitations as a blocker,” Arthur wrote. “He's still trying to make an impact as a blocker, but he looked better than ever as a pass-catcher in camp.”

Similar words can be said about Woods, who hasn’t played a regular season snap since his rookie season in 2022 due to several injuries. 

Arthur gives the leg up to Mallory, but recognizes Woods could still play a role this season, even if it’s not with the Colts. 

“While it's going to be tough to make the roster behind Warren, Mallory, Mo Alie-Cox, and Drew Ogletree, there's not much more that Woods could have done to prove he can still be a serviceable player in the passing game. He could find his way back to the Colts' practice squad or get an even better opportunity with another team looking for tight end talent.”