Green Bay Packers Should Target Dwayne Allen
By Kyle Engman
The Green Bay Packers need a tight end. Dwayne Allen needs a team. A pairing between the two is a possibility that could turn reality.
There are is a lot of potential talent at tight end in this offseason’s free agency race. Dwayne Allen could be one of the players who commands a lot of attention in free agency if the Indianapolis Colts let him reach it. After this past season where Allen only received 29 passing targets, the tight end recently voiced his opinions on how he wanted a more prominent pass catching role in the offense.
The man wants the ball. So lets give it to him.
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Green Bay could use another tight end since Andrew Quarless is slated to hit free agency. Allen could easily play the middle of the field in the Packers offense while Richard Rodgers plays more of a pass blocking part. Rodgers would also have a heavy presence in the red zone.
If need be, Allen could also be called upon to pass block, but his reason to play a pass catching role and past stats could keep him from seeing that too often. It is hard not to be intrigued by setting Allen in a blocking role considering he has a 6-foot-3, 265 pound frame. His blocking skills match or excel what any of the Packers current tight ends have–but Allen should be a pass catching tight end.
Allen was drafted in 2012 by the Colts in the third round, a round behind teammate and fellow tight end Coby Fleener. Since day one, Allen and Fleener have been in a tug-of-war contest for targets from Andrew Luck. Allen only outperformed Fleener in his rookie season, posting 45 catches for 521 yards and three touchdowns.
Since then, Allen has missed 21 games and through the past three seasons combined has barely matched his production from his rookie season. Allen’s 2014 season should have an asterisk by it considering he posted 29 catches – eight of which went for touchdowns.
The former Clemson Tiger had a much different 2015 season, only putting up 16 receptions. Allen was used mainly as a blocking tight end to help the Colts’ struggling offensive line. The change of pace disheartened the tight end who spoke out in recent interviews about how he thought the Colts were misusing him.
Allen has shown he has the potential to be a feature tight end and can produce even if he’s lower on the depth chart. It wouldn’t be out of the picture to offer Allen anywhere between $5-7 million per year. Allen has a very high ceiling if he reaches the right offense. If he was the feature tight end in an offense such as the Packers, he could very well reprise the role Jermichael Finely once had. One that could potentially put Allen into a Pro Bowl.
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Allen turned 26 years old on February 24th and still has a lot of time left in the NFL. If he can stay healthy, he could be a great value free agent for anyone looking for a tight end. The Green Bay Packers could decide to stay quiet in free agency and take a guy like Hunter Henry or Tyler Higbee in the draft but Allen is at least worth a good look in free agency.