Tyler Warren leaves first impression with Colts; provides ideas on Anthony Richardson

INDIANAPOLIS — Projected first-round tight finish Tyler Warren formally met with the Indianapolis Colts on the NFL Scouting Mix final Wednesday. Regardless of selecting to not take part within the on-field exercise inside Lucas Oil Stadium, the Colts aimed to find how one of the coveted school prospects processes the sport.

Penn State tight finish Tyler Warren speaks to the media on the 2025 NFL Mix.

Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK by way of Imagn Pictures

Warren is a well-rounded cross catcher who dedicates his team-first mindset by giving most effort on every snap. Penn State aligned Warren in formation alongside the offensive line, within the backfield, the slot and out huge. Maybe essentially the most full candidate of the 2025 draft class, Warren’s greatest traits embody his jack of all trades versatility and talent to constantly haul in contested catches in site visitors.

“I think when you come to Penn State to play tight end, that’s going to be the first thing if you want to get on the field,” Warren advised reporters Thursday contained in the Indiana Conference Middle. “You are going to have to be a willing blocker and play with that mentality.”

Warren went berserk as a fifth-year senior, main Penn State to the Massive Ten Championship Recreation in Indianapolis and this system’s first ever Faculty Soccer Playoff berth. He led all Energy 4 convention tight ends with 104 receptions for 1,230 receiving yards and 12 whole touchdowns. Warren earned First-Staff All-American honors and the John Mackey Award, given to the nation’s most excellent tight finish.

The Penn State product is essentially the most intriguing prospect to trace within the first spherical of the 2025 NFL Draft as a result of he’s an immaculate match for Colts head coach Shane Steichen’s run-pass-option scheme. With a large 6-6, 256-pound body, Warren might turn into the rookie opposing defensive coordinators must stress over and take note of the place he traces up earlier than every snap. Warren racked up 693 yards after catch, 67 first downs and 19 missed tackles compelled, which additionally led all Energy 4 convention tight ends.

“I’ve been in Indy before,” Warren mentioned. “I like (Lucas Oil) Stadium a lot and kind of the area. Just the opportunity to have a chance to play in the NFL, and if it was here, that would be awesome.”

Professional Soccer Focus ranked Warren because the No. 5 total school soccer participant from the 2024 season. Warren might in the end turn into the dependable possession receiver the Colts have been lacking, evidenced greatest by his phenomenal 62% contested catch price in opposition to a miniscule 2.8% drop price final season.

One of many greatest points Indianapolis confronted in 2024 was an incapability to maintain drives. A part of the issue was as a result of downright abysmal manufacturing from the Colts’ tight finish unit.

“We didn’t get sufficient manufacturing from them,’’ Colts GM Chris Ballard mentioned at his end-of-season press convention in January. “I’ll say this, they did an excellent job blocking within the run recreation. They’re glorious blockers, however our incapability to manage the center of the sector, which we’ve bought to have the ability to do. I’ve bought to have the ability to give Shane a man that may actually management the center of the sector, that groups must account for and defend. I simply haven’t been in a position to do this.

Tight finish won’t be the one offensive ability place the Colts intend to get extra manufacturing from. Final Tuesday, Ballard publicly acknowledged quarterback Anthony Richardson must earn his beginning spot in an “open competition” earlier than the 2025 season. If the Colts goal is to maximise the potential of the offense and get one of the best out of Richardson in his third NFL marketing campaign, securing the nation’s high tight finish prospect must be excessive on the agenda.

“(Anthony Richardson) is definitely one of a kind and a heckuva athlete at the quarterback position,” Warren mentioned. “He’s a great quarterback too, so that would be really cool.”

Warren might plan to showcase his abilities in entrance of NFL scouts at Penn State’s professional day on March 28. If Warren’s 98 manufacturing rating, per Subsequent Gen Stats, can translate to the NFL, the Colts must seize the chance to create a extra dynamic offense in April’s draft.