By John Sarianides

The Patriots acquired tight end Dwayne Allen along with a 2017 sixth round pick from the Indianapolis Colts for a 2017 4th round pick. 

Allen became available after the Colts re-signed tight end Jack Doyle to a three year, $19 million dollar contract yesterday. 

The Colts chose to sign Allen over Coby Fleener last off-season and a year later they picked Doyle over Allen. It simply comes down to money and fit. Doyle cost the same as Allen but he is a better receiver.

The Colts couldn’t afford to keep both Doyle and Allen, especially if they wanted to be active in free agency, so they traded Allen.

Bill Belichick knew this so he picked up the phone and was able to get Allen and a sixth round pick for a fourth round pick. Once again, Belichick utilized a fourth round pick to add an impact player (Randy Moss and Martellus Bennett were also acquired using fourth round picks). 

Allen will be a terrific fit with the Patriots. He is one the best blocking tight ends in the league. He is technically sound and strong at the point of attack.

Allen is also a good receiver. He runs good routes and he knows how to get open, especially in the red zone. Allen has 19 career touchdowns in 57 games with the Colts.

The Patriots utilize a lot of 12 personnel so it is imperative that they have a quality second tight end on the roster. Allen might not be the athlete Martellus Bennett is but he is just as good a player because he is an effective blocker. 

Allen’s contract is another reason he was appealing to the Patriots. He is under contract for another three years. Player control is important to Belichick. 

Bill Belichick once again proved that he is as saavy an executive as there is when it comes to making trades. No uses his picks to acquire veteran players better than Belichick. He has mastered the art of pursuading other teams to move veteran talent for mid round draft picks. It is quite impressive.