Tight end is a major need for the Indianapolis Colts this offseason and a name to watch through the pre-draft process is Miami’s Elijah Arroyo.
While many are fixated on the Colts taking Penn State’s Tyler Warren at pick 14–and understandably so–what if he’s off the board before Indianapolis is on the clock?
Does GM Chris Ballard take Colston Loveland from Michigan? Or does he go a different direction and address cornerback and safety?
While tight end is a big need, it’s also not a given that the Colts come away with one in the first round. So then what?
Well, Arroyo could be a Day 2 option for the Colts. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Arroyo is “solidifying himself as a high Day 2 pick” after his week at the Senior Bowl.
The Colts are currently picking at 45th overall in Round 2. Here is what NFL.com’s Daniel Jeremiah had to say about Arroyo’s performance in Mobile:
“We all knew about his size and speed before he arrived in Mobile — he showed that during his breakout season with Miami in 2024. The thing that stood out to me in practice this week was his route polish. He blocked well, too. The arrow is pointing all the way up here.”
This past season was a breakout year for Arroyo. He finished the season totaling 590 yards on just 35 receptions–that’s an average of nearly 17.0 yards per catch.
Arroyo would rank second among all tight ends in yards per catch (16.9) and was first in average YAC. He also caught seven touchdowns and was reliable, hauling in 75% of his passes.
And while PFF’s grading system isn’t the be-all-end-all when it comes to player evaluation, Arroyo’s run-blocking grade in 2024 took a major jump as well.
After the season, Ballard mentioned the need for the Colts to have a greater pass-catching presence at the tight end position. Collectively, the Colts’ four tight ends on the roster totaled just 467 receiving yards in 2024.
