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Should the Atlanta Falcons target Dwayne Allen?

By Freddie Boston

Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) celebrates after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 11, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen (83) celebrates after a touchdown against the Denver Broncos in the 2014 AFC Divisional playoff football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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Should the Atlanta Falcons target Indianapolis Colts tight end Dwayne Allen in free agency?

Wide receiver is a bigger need for the Atlanta Falcons, but ultimately a key to the offseason is giving quarterback Matt Ryan more targets to throw to.

Jacob Tamme had a solid debut season in Atlanta and became a trusted target for Ryan later in the season, but the Falcons could still improve their passing game by adding another tight end into the mix. How about Dwayne Allen of the Indianapolis Colts?

Allen is set to hit free agency on March 9, and could help alleviate some pressure from star wideout Julio Jones, who was asked to do just about everything in the passing game last term. Jones ideally needs a complementary wide receiver opposite him to ease some of the coverages on him, but adding a tight end capable of getting downfield would have a similar effect.

Opportunities have been limited for Allen, who was held to just 16 catches for 109 yards and a touchdown in 2015. Despite that, he’s still a talented young tight end who could benefit from a bigger role in Atlanta. Allen has expressed his desire to see more of the football, and Ryan needs someone to give the ball to. They seem like perfect dance partners.

Matt Claassen of Pro Football Focus agrees, and believes Allen should be on the Falcons’ radar:

"“Matt Ryan needs a better No. 2 option in the offense than Jacob Tamme. While wide receiver might be the more pressing need, an underwhelming group of free agent receivers might make Atlanta look to the draft to address that particular need instead. However, improving the tight end position again could be another way to give Ryan another target, and move Tamme to more of a No. 2 tight end role that better suits him. Allen has dealt with injuries over the last few seasons, and had his lowest-graded season last year. However, he was a very good, well-rounded tight end in 2014 and his rookie year of 2012. He was also a decent blocker prior to last season, an area that the Falcons have lacked for years. Depending on how other teams view the market, Allen could be a good target to take a chance on, with hopes that he can regain his form from earlier in his career.”"

Classsen is absolutely right. And if the Falcons are on the search for a tight end this offseason, they are best off dipping into the free agency pool as the draft class is thin at the position. Outside of Hunter Henry – who is projected to be off the board in the first round – there isn’t a whole lot of depth.

A player I like who could go in the mid-rounds is Tyler Higbee. The former wide receiver has the speed to stretch defenses in the middle of the field, and could become a reliable option for Ryan in Atlanta.

Next: Falcons updated mock draft post-combine

But if the Falcons decide to go the free agency route, Allen should definitely be considered.

What are your thoughts?