Mo Alie-Cox is a giant. Literally. Standing 6-5 and weighing in at nearly 270 pounds, he looks more like a small forward waiting for a rebound than a guy fighting for a roster spot in the NFL. But that's exactly where we are in early 2026. If you’ve been following the Indianapolis Colts, you know the deal.
The box score usually tells one story. The film tells another.
Honestly, looking at the Mo Alie-Cox stats from the 2025 season might make you scratch your head. He finished the year with 13 receptions for 117 yards and a single touchdown. For a guy who was once hyped as the next great basketball-to-football crossover, those aren't exactly "Pro Bowl" numbers. But if you think that’s the whole story, you’re missing the point. Mo has survived in Indy for eight seasons not because he's a deep threat, but because he's basically a third offensive tackle who happens to have hands the size of dinner plates.
The 2025 Reality Check
The Colts' offense went through a massive transition this past year. With rookie sensation Tyler Warren emerging as a genuine star—748 yards is no joke—Alie-Cox saw his role shrink. He’s no longer the guy you expect to see running seam routes every third down. Instead, he’s the guy clearing a path for Jonathan Taylor.
According to PFF's grading systems throughout the 2025 campaign, Alie-Cox remained one of the more reliable run-blockers in the league. While his receiving stats are modest, his presence on the field correlates with better rushing efficiency. In Week 17 against the Jaguars, he actually reminded everyone he can still catch, hauling in three targets for 20 yards and a score. It was a classic "Mo" game: quiet, physical, and then a sudden touchdown in the red zone.
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Career Breakdown by the Numbers
Let's look at how he’s trended over the years. It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster.
- 2020: This was the peak. 31 catches, 394 yards. People thought he was taking off.
- 2021: 24 catches and a career-high 4 touchdowns. Solid.
- 2022: 19 receptions. The production started dipping, even though he signed that three-year extension.
- 2023-2024: Hovering around 12 or 13 catches a year.
- 2025: 13 receptions for 117 yards.
He’s currently sitting at 127 career receptions and 16 touchdowns. If you compare him to legendary basketball converts like Antonio Gates or Tony Gonzalez, he’s nowhere near that stratosphere. But that’s a bit of an unfair comparison, isn't it? He’s carved out a niche as a "glue guy."
What Most People Get Wrong About the Stats
Fans love to complain about the lack of targets. "Why don't they throw to Mo?"
Well, it’s complicated. His average depth of target (aDOT) in 2025 was a measly 4.65 yards. He’s being used as a safety valve and a short-yardage blocker. When you’re only running about 119 routes in an entire season—which is what he did this past year—you aren't going to put up Travis Kelce numbers.
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The efficiency is actually okay. He caught 65% of the balls thrown his way in 2025. He doesn't drop much. He just doesn't get open against modern, twitchy safeties the way he used to. At 32 years old, the "Mo Says No" legend from his VCU basketball days is more about denying defensive ends than blocking shots.
The VCU Legacy vs. NFL Reality
If you’re a college hoops fan, you remember Mo Alie-Cox at VCU. He was a force. 255 blocks. Over 1,000 points. He led them to an Atlantic 10 title. He’s the school’s all-time leader in field goal percentage ($57.4%$).
That basketball background is why he’s so good in the red zone. He knows how to "box out" a linebacker. Even in a "down" year like 2025, his only touchdown came from a play where he simply used his frame to shield the defender. You can't teach 6-5 and 267 pounds.
What’s Next for Mo in 2026?
As of January 12, 2026, Mo Alie-Cox is hitting unrestricted free agency. The Colts have a decision to make. They have Tyler Warren, who looks like the future. They have Will Mallory and Drew Ogletree.
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Is there room for a 32-year-old veteran whose primary value is blocking?
In a league that’s getting faster and more pass-heavy, "specialist" tight ends like Mo are becoming a luxury. However, teams like the Ravens or Lions, who value heavy-personnel run schemes, might see those Mo Alie-Cox stats and see a bargain. He’s not going to cost a fortune, and he knows every trick in the book when it comes to pass protection.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
- Don't overvalue the yardage: If you're grading Mo, look at the "success rate" of runs to his side of the line. That's where his real impact lives.
- Red Zone Specialist: If your team needs a cheap TE2 who won't drop a touchdown in traffic, Mo is still that guy.
- Watch the Depth Chart: If the Colts let him walk, it’s a clear sign they are moving toward a "move" tight end philosophy under their current offensive scheme.
The era of the "Mega-Mo" breakout is likely over. He is what he is: a reliable, massive human being who plays the game the right way. Whether he’s in a Colts jersey or someone else's next September, he’s already beaten the odds by lasting nearly a decade in a league where the average career is less than three years.