Colts land prized Penn State tight end in ESPN Matt Miller’s 2025 NFL Mock Draft

The Colts are projected to finally shore up a sore spot in recent franchise history—with this latest mock draft pick.

According to ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Indianapolis Colts will land prized Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th overall pick in his new 2025 NFL Mock Draft:

14. Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

The Colts’ secondary needs attention, so a pick there would make sense. But Warren could really help quarterback Anthony Richardson — and there’s always Round 2 to boost the defensive back group. Warren produced touchdowns as a receiver, runner and passer at Penn State and could be a reliable outlet for Richardson. Warren was a prolific pass catcher (104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns), but he also has the size to be a standout blocker in the run game.

The Colts must determine whether Richardson is their long-term quarterback, and providing him with Warren — who has the potential to be a top-five NFL tight end — would support that process.

Warren is the consensus top tight end in this year’s class, and one of the most complete prospects to come out at his position in recent memory. He’s already been projected to the Colts near midway through the first round in a number of early NFL Mock Drafts.

Regarding Warren:

“During a monstrous senior season for the Nittany Lions, the listed 6’6,” 261 pound tight end recorded 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards (11.9 ypr. avg.) and 8 touchdown receptions in 16 starts—earning the John Mackey Award, as well as First-Team All-American, Big Ten Tight of the Year, and First-Team All-Big Ten honors in 2024 respectively.”

It’s been already well-documented that the Colts received very little receiving-wise from their tight end position collectively this past season—and both Kylen Granson and veteran Mo Alie-Cox are set to become free agents.

Two of the Colts’ top leaders, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, face a ‘make-or-break’ 2025 season—which will largely rest on the continued improvement and development of soon-to-be 3rd-year quarterback Anthony Richardson and in tandem, better team success.

Why not surround him with a sure-handed security blanket over the middle of the field, who can also separate down the seam? Not to mention, Warren fits right in line with the Colts’ ‘Run the Damn Ball’ mantra with star workhorse Jonathan Taylor, as he’s an impact blocker.

Per NFL Network’s Daniel Jeremiah, Warren’s currently ranked as his 5th best prospect overall in the 2025 NFL Draft class:

“Warren is a massive tight end who carried the Penn State offense this past season. He lined up in-line, in the slot and as a Wildcat quarterback. His production is the result of his size, catch radius and tenacity. He doesn’t generate a lot of separation as a route runner, but he walls off defenders when on the move. Defenders simply can’t get through his body to make plays on the ball. He can track the ball over his shoulder and he can high-point the ball when needed. He isn’t a nifty option-route type of player. After the catch, defenders bounce off him or go along for a ride as he drags them for extra yardage. As a Wildcat quarterback, he creates space with his power and leg drive. He’s effective in the run game and looks to finish when possible. Overall, he isn’t as dynamic as Rob Gronkowski was during his career, but Warren is a similar player in a lot of ways.”

Miller also projected the Colts to select Kentucky redshirt junior cornerback Maxwell Hairston, with the 45th overall pick in the 2nd round. He was consecutive 2nd-Team All-SEC for the Wildcats and really stood out at the recent Senior Bowl:

45. Indianapolis Colts

Maxwell Hairston, CB, Kentucky

“The Colts’ secondary could use more playmakers across the board. The 5-foot-11, 179-pound Hairston is a quick cornerback who can play inside or outside and grabbed six interceptions combined over his past two college seasons.”