Perhaps most Indianapolis Colts fans want their team to draft Penn State’s Tyler Warren. He’s easily the top tight-end prospect in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The Colts badly need help at the tight end position. They currently own the 14th overall pick in the draft. However, it’s unlikely that Warren will be available when it’s Indy’s turn to pick. That means the team might have to trade up if they want Warren.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard has to find a way to reel Warren in. Ballard was aggressive in free agency this offseason, signing defensive backs Charvarius Ward and Camryn Bynum on Day One. He needs to continue that aggressiveness and trade up for Warren if he has to.
Colts Must Do Whatever It Takes to Draft Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren
Looking Back at His Career
Tyler Warren starred at Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia. He played football, basketball, and baseball. Warren, the school’s starting quarterback, passed for 1,149 yards and 14 touchdowns as a senior. He also rushed for 677 yards and 10 touchdowns. Initially committing to play at Virginia Tech, he ultimately chose Penn State.
Warren only recorded 49 receptions during his first four years with the Nittany Lions. However, he broke out last season, emerging as one of the best tight ends in the country. The Virginia native caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards, and eight touchdowns. Warren also had 197 rushing yards and four touchdowns on the ground. As a result, he won the John Mackey Award and was named Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
Why the Colts Need Tyler Warren
If Tyler Warren is off the board, the Colts could draft Colston Loveland instead. The tight end out of Michigan has a ton of potential, but he’s not expected to be as good as Warren. Pro Football Focus wrote this about Warren:
“Warren is a do-everything tight end who any coach would love to input into their offense. He isn’t a twitchy or flexible athlete who can unlock the whole route tree, but his versatility is incredibly valuable in the run-and-pass games. He is worthy of a first-round selection.”
That sounds like the kind of playmaker that the Colts need. Four tight ends played for Indy in 2024: Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Drew Ogletree, and Will Mallory. The unit was non-existent. They combined for only 39 catches, 467 receiving yards, and a pair of touchdowns. Needless to say, Warren would be a major upgrade.
Last year, the Colts had the 15th overall pick in the draft. They used the pick on UCLA defensive end Laiatu Latu. The Colts were rumored to be interested, though, in Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Yet, he wound up going 13th overall to the Las Vegas Raiders. Bowers went on to have a spectacular rookie year in Vegas, catching 112 passes for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Ballard can’t let Warren get away like he did with Bowers. Warren would serve as an excellent offensive weapon for whoever the Colts starting quarterback is next year whether it’s Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones.
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