Mo

Alie-Cox

Alie-Cox had been deployed in a committee for years before Shane Steichen took over as head coach in 2023. Some thought the new regime would commit to a full-time starter at tight end. Nothing was further from the truth last year and little changed in 2024. Alie-Cox led the team in tight end snaps but didn’t take the field for even half of the offensive reps. He topped out at 41 yards in a single game and only surpassed 30 yards twice. Alie-Cox heads into free agency after catching 12 passes for 147 yards and a single touchdown in his seventh NFL season.

Pierce was declared out on Friday due to a concussion he suffered in Week 15. Fellow WR Ashton Dulin (ankle) is active and in line for increased snaps with Pierce out. TE Mo Alie-Cox (hip) and K Matt Gay (neck) are also active while LB EJ Speed (knee) is the Colts’ other injury inactive.

Alie-Cox has been more involved with Joe Flacco starting over the past two weeks, turning six receptions into 78 yards. Good stuff that would maybe turn Alie-Cox into a low-end TE2 were Flacco to remain under center, but it seems Anthony Richardson (oblique) will probably return for Week 7 against the Dolphins.

Alie-Cox was platooned with Kylen Granson, who also saw just one target. Even with Jelani Woods out of the picture because of a toe injury, the Colts don’t appear to have a fantasy-relevant tight end. Fantasy managers can ignore this position group until something changes.

News of toe surgery is big blow for Woods, who missed the entire 2023 season with a hamstring injury. The 2022 third-rounder caught 22 passes for 312 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie, showing off his size and athleticism. Unfortunately, Woods’ toe injury will keep him out for at least the start of the regular season. Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox are next up in the tight end room, but both are only fantasy targets in deeper leagues.

Alie-Cox was one-of-three Colts tight ends to play in the first-team offense, side-kicked by Kylen Granson (who caught 1-of-2 targets for six yards) and Andrew Ogletree (zero targets). Alie-Cox made the most of his meager opportunities, dazzling with an explosive, 15-plus-yard pass play that featured one missed tackle forced. The unit should be avoided for re-draft purposes.

The Colts utilized three different tight ends for much of the season, with Alie-Cox operating as the third tight end in the receiving rotation. His 22 targets were well below Kyle Granson and four less than what rookie Will Mallory saw on the season, while his receptions and receiving yards also ranked third among the group. The 30-year-old tight end is under contract through 2024 but can be cut without penalty if the Colts opt to move on from him. While MAC has had his moments throughout his career, he’s never fully ascended to the heights some hoped for early in his career. Through six seasons, he has never gone for more than 394 yards, and has a season-high of 31 receptions which he hit in 2020. He’s not expected to offer much fantasy upside in 2024, regardless of where he’s playing.

The veteran tight end was listed as questionable but will be active after clearing the concussion protocol. Alie-Cox has a 3/67/1 line on five targets this season.

Ogletree tied with Kylen Granson for most catches amongst Colts tight ends against the Titans. Mo Alie-Cox left with a concussion, which may bump up Ogletree’s usage. However, he is not a fantasy-relevant option entering Week 6.

Alie-Cox left for the locker room after taking a hit in the third quarter. With him entering concussion protocol, the Colts are now out a tight end in addition to rookie Anthony Richardson today.