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Indianapolis Colts: John Clayton Praises Dwayne Allen Re-Signing

By Garrett Hagan

Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) and Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano (R) talk on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) and Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano (R) talk on the field against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the second quarter at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Indianapolis Colts General Manager Ryan Grigson was scrutinized by some for re-signing tight end Dwayne Allen last month. ESPN’s John Clayton had his own take on the signing earlier today.

During the start of the 2016 NFL free agency period, Grigson turned some heads when he decided to re-sign tight end Dwayne Allen to a four-year, $29.4 million contract. Many were confused due to the fact that Allen had arguably his worst year with the Colts in 2015, having only 16 receptions for 109 yards and one touchdown.

It can be argued that Allen’s lack of productivity in 13 games last season could have been a result of the Colts being without star quarterback Andrew Luck for a total of nine games that same year. On the other hand, when Luck was healthy throughout the entire 2014 season, Allen mirrored the success with eight touchdown receptions and his best season yet with the Colts.

Earlier today, ESPN senior writer John Clayton ranked his top-10 free agency moves thus far in 2016. Surprisingly to some, Clayton ranked the Dwayne Allen re-signing at No. 9, having this to say about the move:

"Indianapolis Colts general manager Ryan Grigson had a tough decision. He had to choose between Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen. He signed Allen, who is the more complete player. Fleener goes to the New Orleans Saints and should flourish in a Sean Payton offense that was looking for a young, fast tight end who can fill in for what they missed after the Jimmy Graham trade. In the end, both teams ended up with the best tight ends for their franchise."

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In terms of whether or not Grigson should have went a different route by choosing to sign Fleener instead, many could argue that he made the right decision by going with Allen. Both tight ends were a part of the 2012 draft class and while Allen has had some trouble staying consistently healthy, he appeared to be the more consistent player on the field in the blocking and passing game. Fans can recall that too many times would Fleener drop rather easy passes, or come up short on just about every ’50-50′ ball.

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If Allen can in fact stay healthy for the majority of next year and beyond, then the move made by Grigson to bring back Allen in 2016 will come off as a fantastic move. If Allen continues to be injury prone however, you can add this signing to the long list of flops under Grigson.

With the draft approaching, the Colts have a great opportunity to build up their offensive line that practically assisted in getting Luck injured multiple times last season, resulting in an offense that lacked despite having multiple weapons such as Allen. If in fact the Colts’ offense can go back to being a top-five offense in the league, expect Allen’s role to increase heavily in the passing attack.

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