The Indianapolis Colts have gotten very, very little out of the tight end position in the passing game this season.
Entering Week 13, the combination of Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, Kylen Granson and Will Mallory have combined for 26 receptions for 299 yards and two touchdowns.
Alie-Cox leads this position group in both receptions and receiving yards with nine for 117.
To put these numbers into perspective, there are 28 individual tight ends who have more receptions than the Colts' entire tight end room this season, and 25 who have more receiving yards.
Now, of course, blocking is also a key component of the tight end position and another important way for this unit to contribute.
However, and while this certainly isn't all due to the tight ends, it's also not like the Colts are making any noise in the run game right now.
Especially for a team that uses two tight end sets as often as the Colts, the offense is at a numerical disadvantage when there are virtually no factors in the passing game at the position.
Of course, if teams aren't worried about the one or two tight ends on the field, they still need to defend them, but it's not like those players get extra attention or dictate what the defense does in terms of coverage.
On the other hand, a constant presence in the passing game from the tight end position can pose a matchup problem for defenses with this combination of size and speed, which can also create opportunities for others in the passing game.
Add to that the ability to contribute as a blocker as well, and it's a position group that can add a layer of unpredictability to the offense through its versatility and defense that doesn't necessarily have the ability to predict what's coming or what that player's role is currently based on where the tight end is aligned.
Right now, the Colts don't have that element in their offense and it's another limiting factor to contend with on a weekly basis.
During the offseason, this was another position group that could have been expanded, but GM Chris Ballard decided against it. The play of Jaylon Jones at cornerback and Nick Cross at safety rewarded Ballard for similar decisions at those positions, but it didn't work out at tight end – or at least not in the passing game.
