The Indianapolis Colts sit a game out of the final AFC Wild Card spot. However, trade rumors have begun to suggest that the Colts will be sellers ahead of the NFL trade deadline.
The newest Colts veteran caught up in those rumors is tight end Mo Alie-Cox. The Athletic's Mark Kaboly suggested Alie-Cox as a trade target for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Wednesday.
"Alie-Cox fell out of the good graces with the Indianapolis coaching staff and dropped to No. 3 on the depth chart despite having 93 catches in five-plus seasons," Kaboly wrote. "He is a former basketball player with upside but is behind Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree, having played 30 percent of the snaps after exceeding 50 percent in 2021 and 2022.
"Alie-Cox had nine touchdowns from 2020 to 2022. His salary could be an issue. He would be due a prorated portion of his $4.8 million base salary and $510,000 in per-game roster bonuses. His $5.4 million salary and roster bonuses in 2024 aren’t guaranteed."
As Kaboly explained, Alie-Cox's playing time has dropped significantly this season. The 30 percent of the offensive snaps he's played for the Colts during 2023 is a career low. His previous career low in terms of snap percentage was 33 percent in 2019.
Alie-Cox lined up for 51 percent of Indianapolis' offensive snaps last season.
This decline in playing time has occurred for the 30-year-old despite fellow tight end Jelani Woods not playing at all yet this season because of a hamstring injury.
Even without Woods, Alie-Cox is third among Colts tight ends in catches and receiving yards. Kyle Granson and Drew Ogletree both have more of each.
Alie-Cox has posted 4 catches for 61 yards and 1 touchdown on 6 targets this season.
The veteran tight end has one year remaining on the contract he signed in March 2022. However, he's set to have a $5.9 million cap hit in 2024 with no dead cap money if released. That will likely make Alie-Cox a prime cut candidate next offseason.
The Colts could trade Alie-Cox in an effort to receive a draft pick for the tight end. As Kaboly noted, what Alie-Cox is worth in the trade market could depend on how much of his salary the Colts are willing to retain.
In addition to Kaboly labeling Alie-Cox a trade chip, ESPN's Stephen Holder named safety Julian Blackmon a trade candidate for the Colts.
On October 16, USA Today's For the Win's Cory Woodruff suggested the Colts should consider trading wide receiver Michael Pittman.
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