Should the Colts Trade for Pro Bowl Tight End?

The Indianapolis Colts are expected to draft a tight end. But what about trading for one? Moe Moton of Bleacher Report came up with a trade idea. He has the Colts sending draft picks to the Baltimore Ravens for veteran tight end Mark Andrews:

“Baltimore Ravens Get: 2025 4th-round pick (No. 117 overall), 7th-round pick (No. 232 overall)

Indianapolis Colts Get: TE Mark Andrews

General manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen don’t have time to rely on rookies for production. Colts’ brass should favor established veterans over high-end prospects at positions of need. Mark Andrews can be an immediate fix at tight end, and Indianapolis can still draft a player at the position to give (Anthony) Richardson or (Daniel) Jones the best chance to post respectable passing numbers in the upcoming term.”

The Colts are more likely to draft a tight end rather than trade for one. But you never know what’s going to happen.

Should the Indianapolis Colts Trade for Pro Bowl Tight End Mark Andrews?

His Career in Baltimore

Baltimore drafted Mark Andrews in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He finished his rookie year with 34 receptions for 552 yards and three touchdowns.

The following season, Andrews caught 64 passes for 852 yards and 10 touchdowns (led the league among tight ends). He was named to the Pro Bowl that year.

Andrews later had a monster 2021 campaign. He had three straight 100-yard receiving games from Week 14-16. He finished the season with 107 receptions, 1,361 receiving yards, and nine touchdowns. As a result, Andrews was voted into his second Pro Bowl. He was also named First-team All-Pro.

Andrews earned a third Pro Bowl nomination in 2023. Last season, he became the Ravens’ all-time touchdown leader, surpassing former running back Jamal Lewis. Andrews ended the season with 55 catches for 673 yards and a career-high 11 touchdowns.

Should the Colts Consider Andrews?

Last season, Indy’s tight end room consisted of Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox, and Will Mallory. Unfortunately, the unit didn’t provide very much at all. Granson, who’s now with the Philadelphia Eagles, led the group with only 14 catches for 182 yards in 2024.

Needless to say, the Colts need a play-making tight end. And that’s exactly what Mark Andrews is.

Sadly, some fans refer to Andrews as “That guy who dropped a pass in the playoffs.” Yes, he did drop a pass in the playoffs against the Buffalo Bills last season. However, everybody makes mistakes.

Andrews is hands-down one of the NFL’s best tight ends. He has reached the 500-yard receiving mark in each of his seven seasons in Baltimore. No Colts tight has recorded over 500 receiving yards in a season since 2018. That was the year Eric Ebron had 750 yards for Indianapolis. Yeah, that seems like 30 years ago.

Most mocks have the Colts drafting a tight end like Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland. Both of those prospects could turn out to be stars. However, they haven’t proven anything in the NFL yet. Andrews, on the other hand, is a different story. He’s a veteran who has made three Pro Bowls during his career.

Andrews could team with wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, and Alec Pierce to form an outstanding pass-catching crew in Indianapolis. That would help out whoever wins the starting quarterback job (Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones). Yes, the Colts should consider trading for Andrews.