INDIANAPOLIS – The Colts had a luxury entering the 2016 offseason.

On their roster were two pending free agents who are considered No. 1 tight ends.

So when the Colts mapped out their 2016 offseason plan they had to make a decision on what tight end better suited Rob Chudzinski's offense.

Dwayne Allen, come on down.

"Dwayne's skill set is pretty broad, but he's a very powerful and tenacious blocker at the point of attack," Ryan Grigson said of how the offensive scheme played into the Colts' decision at tight end.

"I would say that was one of the strongest factors in that decision because we all know what Coby (Fleener) can do in the passing game. Dwayne brings a stouter presence in-line that we need with this offensive scheme."

Allen's ability to single block edge defenders is quite appealing.

Yet, the Colts are adamant that they will be using Allen much more in the passing game this season.

Last year, Allen had 16 catches in 29 targets.

Those numbers are going to rise this fall.

"Obviously with Andrew (Luck) down and circumstances, we didn't get (Allen) the ball as much as we would like to," Chuck Pagano said at March's League Meetings.

"We are going to address that this year."

In past stops with Chud as offensive coordinator, the tight end position has been heavily involved in the passing game.

Carolina Panthers tight end Greg Olsen caught 114 balls in two seasons with Chud.

That doesn't even compare to the 2007 season Kellen Winslow Jr. had with Chud as his offensive coordinator. In 2007, with Chud as the OC, the Cleveland Browns offense skyrocketed to a top-10 unit with Winslow snagging 82 passes for 1,106 yards.

Those numbers back up what Pagano said in Florida.

"That was a big signing for us," Jim Irsay said of Allen inking a four-year extension.

"I still think he's really a weapon when we get the ball into this hands. He can run after the catch. He's really dangerous in the red zone. He runs hard. He's a hard guy to bring down. We are obviously excited that we retained him."