The Colts have a couple of holes at tight end now that Jack Doyle is retiring. Here are five possible replacements between free agency and the draft.
The Colts will need to give help to Michael Pittman Jr. to create the same situation, but the template is there for a big-time chain mover if they're willing to touch the top of the free-agent market. Spotrac.com estimates Schultz's next deal at five years and $12.6 million per season.Whether Schultz or Mike Gesicki is the top free agent is open to debate. It's between those two now that the Browns have tagged David Njoku, who would have been an ideal mix of the two.
Gesicki, 26, has been productive for three straight years now, including topping 700 yards in each of the past two. The former second-round pick out of Penn State has a large catch radius at 6 feet 6 inches but is much more of a move tight end than an in-line blocker. He'd be an entirely different type of tight end from Doyle, but he is an answer at a position where the Colts need multiple solutions. Spotrac.com estimates his next deal at four years and $11 million per season.
But those bumps and bruises and the fact that he'll turn 32 this fall give reason for pause as well. They also lower the price tag. Spotrac.com projects him for two years and $7.6 million per season.Losing Doyle cuts the Colts roster down a little more on the number of the veteran players who have been through the tough stages of the playoffs. If they want to replace some of it, C.J. Uzomah should be an option who is still in his prime.
The 29-year-old was a Bengals captain and Joe Burrow's safety blanket when Ja'Marr Chase or Tee Higgins were too well-covered. The 6-6 Uzomah posted a career-best 493 yards and five touchdowns this season, showing a limited ceiling, but he was a big-time leader in the Bengals' run to the Super Bowl. Spotrac.com projects him at three years and $8.2 million per season.If the Colts are scared off by the price tags of top tight ends, they could go to the draft.
Jeremy Ruckert played in an Ohio State offense that throws constantly to wide receivers and asks tight ends to block. In that context, he had an efficient career with 12 touchdown catches and 11.4 yards per reception but on just 54 catches. He showed his route running and hands at the Senior Bowl, and his tape shows the point-of-attack run blocking that allowed true freshman Tre'Veyon Henderson to rush for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns this year.