It’s a busy Day 3 for the Indianapolis Colts and their latest acquisition comes with tight end Will Mallory.
The Miami (FL) product fits the athletic profile that Chris Ballard loves to target in this range of the NFL draft. His 4.54 40-yard time was the best among all tight end prospects at the combine.
Mallory has good to elite athletic testing numbers and his RAS score ranks as the 106th best for tight ends since 1987.
Will Mallory was drafted with pick 162 of round 5 in the 2023 draft class. He scored a 9.05 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 106 out of 1105 TE from 1987 to 2023. https://t.co/dr1hq7jdqW pic.twitter.com/sCTEmV3Kqh
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) April 29, 2023
He is able to use that speed of his to help stretch the defense because of his ability to get to the second level of the field. He does a very job at getting down the field in the seam.
#Miami TE Will Mallory…
Straight-line speed. Work the seams. pic.twitter.com/B0UqkQkjU8
— Matt Bowen (@MattBowen41) April 16, 2023
Miami TE Will Mallory is one of my dudes! Let’s do a quick thread.
Explosive athlete with tons of juice.
Arguably the best hands in the class (WRs included). Ability to track and make adjustments is top notch. 👇🏼 pic.twitter.com/YRDgJi3Stg
— Brett Whitefield (@BGWhitefield) April 21, 2023
Mallory can even create mismatch opportunities because he can line up on the boundary and use his size to his advantage.
The Indianapolis Colts are getting an athletic and versatile receiving threat in former Miami tight end Will Mallory, who lined up all across the field for the Hurricanes. pic.twitter.com/geXWzfKHxq
— Luke Chaney (@luke_chaney4) April 29, 2023
With his ability to be moved all over within the offense, he can give the Indy offense some explosive playmaking ability.
9. Will Mallory
A bit undersized, and will be a passing downs specialist. Overall, an explosive athlete who is a plus route runner.pic.twitter.com/2TsCSBMBRv— Jesse Moeller (@JMoeller05) April 26, 2023
He will be used more as a receiving tight end than a blocking one. He can struggle to block strong edge defenders so his role could be limited. If he can develop as a better route runner then he should be able to create more separation because he currently can struggle to do so.
The Colts are getting an athletic tight end that can be a solid third or fourth option on the tight end depth chart. It will be heavy competition between him Mo Ali-Cox, Jelani Woods, Kylen Granson, Andrew Ogletree, and Pharaoh Brown for spots on the final roster.
The rookie tight end will have to pick up Shane Steichen’s offense quickly this summer.
