For the Indianapolis Colts, the 2025 NFL draft could be a defining moment, providing an opportunity to address their roster needs. After a disappointing 2024 season, in which the team ended with an 8-9 record, their fourth consecutive year outside the playoffs, a name came into question in the team’s quest for rebuilding: Anthony Richardson, a former Florida Gators standout whose development remains a work in progress.
ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. projected that the Colts could be selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th overall pick, a move that could, in many ways, reinvigorate the team’s struggling offense.
Why Tyler Warren Could Be the Perfect Fit for the Colts at No. 14
In Mel Kiper Jr.’s initial 2025 NFL mock draft, the Indianapolis Colts are targeting Tyler Warren at No. 14, a pick fueled by the Colts’ immediate need to strengthen their passing game. As their tight ends, Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox, are approaching free agency.
Kiper notes, “If the Colts want to maximize quarterback Anthony Richardson, they should be adding to his supporting cast this offseason.”
While other needs like cornerback or safety were considered, Warren stood out as the solution to a tight end group that underperformed in 2024. Analysts like Daniel Jeremiah of NFL Media have similarly endorsed this fit, pointing to Warren’s potential to simplify the quarterback’s reads and strengthen the run game.
Tyler Warren’s time at Penn State projects that he is a rare blend of versatility and production, which is why he attracted attention. In all his collegiate career, he had a total of 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, but it was his 2024 season that boosted his stock. That year, he led all tight ends nationally with a total of 98 catches for 1,158 yards and eight scores, earning him the John Mackey Award as the best player at his position.
Diverging from his receiving stats, he also added 218 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 26 carries, with an average of 8.4 yards per attempt. Warren’s dynamism shone in big moments, like the Fiesta Bowl, where he delivered a memorable touchdown celebration as he teamed up with teammate Wallace III.
Warren brings a physical profile at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds that could redefine the Colts’ offense. Having a size that could create matchup problems for defenders, at the same time, the ability to line up in the slot, out wide, in-line, or even in the backfield brings dynamism that the Colts sorely lack.
KEEP READING: Penn State Mock Draft Round Up: Where are Abdul Carter, Tyler Warren and Others Headed?
His blocking ability will also support running back Jonathan Taylor, who covered 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns in 2024. Enhancing the passing and rushing phases, Warren could unlock new play moves in the Colts’ game plan, helping Richardson harness his immense potential.
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