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The Indianapolis Colts announced on Monday that restricted free agent tight end Mo Alie-Cox has signed his second round tender.
The Colts previously offered Alie-Cox the tender in mid-March, and he’ll now earn $3.384M for the 2021 season.
He’s the last of the Colts’ restricted free agents to sign their tenders, as both wide receiver Zach Pascal and safety/special teamer George Odum signed their respective tenders a few weeks ago.
The big bodied 6’5”, 267 pound tight end had a bit of a breakout season for the Colts, catching 31 receptions for 394 receiving yards (12.7 ypr. avg.) and 2 touchdown receptions during 15 games (6 starts)—despite battling through a lingering knee injury and limited playing time behind both veterans Jack Doyle and Trey Burton (the latter now a free agent).
Alie-Cox has always excelled as an in-line blocker with his strength and physicality, but he continues to develop as a receiver over the middle of the field.
Per PFF (subscription), Alie-Cox was their 5th best graded tight end with a +80.9 overall grade this past season—featuring a +79.0 receiving grade.
While the Colts drafted rookie SMU tight end Kylen Granson as their ‘move’ piece this past weekend, Alie-Cox should maintain a key role within the team’s tight end sets—especially along the in-line.
The signing of his tender ensures that he’ll be a Colt again—for at least the 2021 season.
In other roster news, the Colts announced that the team released veteran running back Paul Perkins—freeing up a spot on their active roster (potentially for an offensive tackle signing? We’ll see).