The Indianapolis Colts enter the offseason with several areas to address following their 8-9 finish in 2024. Whether they focus on offense or defense, they have plenty of options in what is shaping up to be an unpredictable draft class.
One position that has stood out as a primary need for the Colts is tight end. Throughout the 2024 season, Indianapolis struggled to generate production from the position. If the front office opts against adding a veteran in free agency, they may look to use their 14th overall pick in April to address the issue.
Pro Football Focus and Max Chadwick project the Colts to take that route in their latest mock draft, selecting Penn State tight end Tyler Warren to bolster the offense and support Anthony Richardson as he enters a pivotal third year at quarterback.
“Next year is crucial for Anthony Richardson to prove he’s the Colts’ long-term answer at quarterback,” Chadwick wrote. “It makes sense to surround him with as many weapons as possible to get a definitive evaluation. Warren was the best Power Four tight end last season, winning the John Mackey Award and leading the position in PFF grade (91.2), receiving yards (1,230), touchdowns (eight), and yards after the catch (693).”
Warren has frequently been linked to the Colts in mock drafts, and for good reason. He was a key playmaker for Penn State in 2024, leading the team with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns across 16 games.
For Indianapolis, Warren would provide Richardson with a reliable target while giving the team a level of production at tight end they haven’t seen in years. The last Colts tight end to surpass 500 receiving yards was Eric Ebron in 2018, and their last 1,000-yard tight end was Dallas Clark in 2009. The position has been a weakness for the team in recent history, and Warren could be the solution they’ve been missing.
While selecting Warren would be a significant move, the Colts still have time to finalize their draft strategy. General manager Chris Ballard and his staff have until Thursday, April 27, when the first round kicks off at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, to determine which prospect will best fit their roster.
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