Tight end remains a huge need for the Indianapolis Colts heading into the NFL draft.
The good news is that this year's tight end class is considered to be fairly deep, and with that comes a variety of skill sets. However, what type of skill set would Shane Steichen prefer to have in his offense?
When it comes to the Colts' need at tight end, the outside focus is on the pass-catching element, understandably so. Last season, the four tight ends on the Colts' roster totaled just 467 receiving yards, and it's been since the 2018 season since a Colts' tight end went over the 500-yard mark.
So adding that element is important. But not to be forgotten about in Steichen's run-centric offense is the ability of the tight end to block.
"You gotta be multiple in the pass game," Steichen said at the NFL's annual league meeting via the team site. "Obviously you would love the guy that can block. I think those guys, it's hard to find the true blocking tight ends anymore, but a guy that can battle in the run game is good. Great hands, can come in and out of the breaks, big and strong after the catch as well. There's a lot of good ones in this draft. It'll be interesting."
Having a tight end who is capable in both the running and passing game adds a level of unpredictability to an offense because that player can fill a variety of roles, which then leaves the defense guessing as to what's coming.
"That's a huge part of it," Steichen said. "When you got the guy who can do both and you can run, stay in 11 personnel (three receivers, one tight end, one running back) and not have to sub certain guys out, that definitely helps."
A lot of what Steichen just described seems to align with what Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could add to an offense. However, the need for that position group to be capable in the run game may also provide some insight into whether or not the Colts would entertain the idea of adding a more pass-catching-centric tight end to this room.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: NFL draft: Shane Steichen describes what Colts want at tight end
