Colts sign intriguing ‘size-speed’ tight end for team’s practice squad

Colts sign intriguing ‘size-speed’ tight end for team’s practice squad
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The Colts have added a tight end to their taxi team, who was once considered a developmental sleeper given his unique size-speed combination at the position.

The Indianapolis Colts announced on Tuesday that the team has signed former Denver Broncos tight end Albert Okwuegbunam Jr. to the team’s practice squad with an open spot:

The 6’5,” 258 pound tight end has 54 receptions for 546 receiving yards (10.1 ypr. avg.) and 4 touchdown receptions during 30 games (7 career starts). He most recently played for the Philadelphia Eagles last season (2023), when he appeared in 4 games.

Of course, the former 2020 4th round pick of the Broncos is most known for his unique combination of size and speed at the tight end position:

At one point, thought to be something of a sleeper, it hasn’t quite consistently clicked on the field yet for Okwuegbunam Jr., and he may be starting to run out of NFL opportunities.

That being said, it’s not as though he hasn’t shown some prior flashes as a pass catcher:

To me, Okwuegbunam Jr. is one of the more interesting practice squad additions the Colts have made in recent seasons because there’s still some potential developmental upside here—at an Indy tight end position that’s struggling to find consistent impact players.

Whether that’s now Okwuegbunam Jr. in time is probably a longshot, but he is the type of player to take a low risk, high upside flyer on, given that he’s still only 26 years old.