Preseason Analysis: Dwayne Allen

Dec 16, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Houston Texans during the third quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Texans won 29-17. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Campbell-USA TODAY Sports

The Indianapolis Colts’ offense was very good last season, but they were missing quite a few key players with injuries. Reggie Wayne went down with a torn ACL, Vick Ballard and Ahmad Bradshaw were both out as well, but another starter missed the entire season with an injury. That starter is tight end Dwayne Allen, was was expected to have a big season last year. He is fully healthy and ready to get back on the field and reclaim his starting job this year.

Allen is one of the more unknown tight ends in the NFL, but he also has the potential to be one of the better ones in the league this year if he can stay healthy. He is a big target for Andrew Luck, and has an incredibly soft pair of hands that never seem to drop a football. There is no doubt that Luck will be enjoying having a tight end like Allen on the field this season.

Coby Fleener filled in fairly well for the injured Allen last season, but he simply shouldn’t be the starting tight end. He is extremely inconsistent and drops passes that should be turned into big plays. Allen on the other hand is a sure target that will not only make the cathces, but he will also pick up extra yards after the catch and help keep drives alive.

Last season, Allen was only targeted twice before getting injuried, and finished the season with one catch for 20 yards and a touchdown. He was the best tight end in college football the year that the Colts drafted him, and there is a very good reason for winning those honors. The Colts may not have looked too bad through the air last season, but adding a match-up nightmare like Allen for opposing defenses will make things even easier.

All that being said, it will be very intriguing to see how Allen is used this coming season. The Colts are expected to give him the starting job back, but they are extremely deep at the wide receiver position. Fleener is going to see some playing time, but the majority of the tight end targets are going to be headed Allen’s way.

Overall, Allen is going to be a very intriguing name to keep an eye on throughout the first half of the season. He is expected to put up big numbers and prove himself to the entire NFL, but there are still some people concerned that his injury from last year could nag at him. That does not sound like it will be the case at this point in time, and the Colts are extremely excited to welcome their starting tight end back to the football field.