Colts Round 1, Pick 14 Recap: Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren
INDIANAPOLIS – Player fans wanted, meet the Indianapolis Colts.
With the 14th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Colts took Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in Round One.
Here are 3 takeaways on Warren:
Uber Productive Tight End
The player Colts fans clamored for since the fall ended up dropping all the way to No. 14 overall (4 spots past fellow tight end Colston Loveland). Warren had one of the most decorated seasons you’ll see from a tight end in college, especially in a conference like the Big Ten. He caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and 8 touchdowns in wrecking the Big Ten, and getting Penn State to the brink of the National Title game. One of the most impressive attributes about Warren’s time at Penn State was his ability to create after the catch, with more than 50 percent of his yardage occurring with the ball in his hands. That’s eye-popping for a tight end.
Versatile Weapon
It’s not often you think of a tight end as some versatile offensive weapon that is used all over an offense. But Penn State used Warren (6-5, 256) exactly like that in college. From Wildcat quarterback, to in-line tight, split out wide receiver, Warren got the ball in so many ways. That has to be enticing to Shane Steichen, and tying to uplift Anthony Richardson who has struggled to find easy in the passing game. Why does Warren wear No. 44? Because his dad’s favorite player was John Riggins and he wanted his son to run like Riggins. Many believe Warren can be a strong blocker, too, with third-down value always a desired trait in tight ends.
Need Meets Round One Value
Arguably the biggest need for the Colts in the entire draft, it was a foregone conclusion the Colts would take a tight end in this draft. That’s why I had it labeled in Round 1 of my positional mock draft. The tight end position was such a problem for the Colts in 2024, with questions in the present and the future of thar room. This year’s draft class was lauded for its depth, and the Colts wasted little time tapping into it. The Colts needed to try and find elite at tight end, in a room full of guys that haven’t sniffed that level in years. Enter Tyler Warren.