Mel Kiper Jr. projects Colts to select prized Penn State TE Tyler Warren in inaugural 2025 Mock Draft

It’s hard to argue with this recent projected pick for the Colts by longtime ESPN NFL Draft Guru Mel Kiper Jr.

According to longtime ESPN draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. (subscription), the Indianapolis Colts will select prized Penn State tight end Tyler Warren in his inaugural 2025 NFL Mock Draft—currently holding the 14th overall pick:

14. Indianapolis Colts

Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

If the Colts want to maximize quarterback Anthony Richardson, they should be adding to his supporting cast this offseason. Warren catches everything, hauling in 104 of his 135 targets this season for 1,233 yards and eight scores. Penn State used him all over the place — slot, out wide, in-line, in the backfield — and he produced no matter the alignment. He could slide right into the Colts’ lineup, with Kylen Granson and Mo Alie-Cox both set for free agency.

I also considered going cornerback or safety here — Indy needs both. If Starks is still available, I like that fit. Maybe South Carolina safety Nick Emmanwori works his way into the conversation, too. But Warren could be awesome in this offense, and the value is much better.

For those that are still disappointed that the Colts missed out on Las Vegas Raiders’ rookie First-Team All-Pro and Pro Bowler Brock Bowers during last year’s draft (who was selected slightly ahead of them with the 13th overall pick), Warren isn’t a bad consolation prize just a year later—as one of the most complete tight end prospects to come out in recent memory.

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.

Here’s what they’re saying on Warren:

It’s no secret that the Colts consistently received ‘next to nothing’ from a receiving tight end perspective this past year (and even more recently).

The position offered very little receiving help for 2nd-year starting quarterback Anthony Richardson from a pass catching standpoint—whether it was continued drops, failed routes, or seemingly being invisible out there, with the inability to separate.

As Kiper Jr. indicated, both veteran Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson are set to become free agents at tight end—and it’s very possible neither will return.

One could make the argument that the team really hasn’t had a consistent impact performer at the tight end position since longtime beloved Colts’ Pro Bowler Jack Doyle retired back in the 2021 season—and really haven’t had a true standout receiving season since Eric Ebron’s magical Pro Bowl 2018 ‘flash in the pan’ campaign (in which he caught 13 receiving touchdowns) with former Indy franchise quarterback Andrew Luck.

Warren is a big bodied plus, plus asset as both a pass catcher (especially after the catch) and regarding his blocking (the latter which has to be music to embattled Colts general manager Chris Ballard’s ‘built in the trenches’ ears). He’d provide a sure handed playmaker over the middle of the field for the Colts offense and a down the seam threat, which hasn’t gotten much at all from its tight end position recently.

Ultimately, this is a ‘sink or swim’ year for Richardson, Ballard, and even head coach Shane Steichen—whose football futures will largely rest on the continued growth and development of Richardson, so why not surround their franchise quarterback hopeful with a dynamic top rookie weapon to succeed—and at a tight end position where it’s been sorely lacking for Indianapolis?