For most of the pre-draft process, the vast majority of big boards and experts had Penn State's Tyler Warren as TE1. Surprisingly, the Chicago Bears took Colston Loveland first instead, and he fell right into the Indianapolis Colts' laps at No. 14.
It was a no-brainer selection at the time, and it didn't take long before he introduced himself to the world and looked like an absolute steal of a pick. However, it wasn't until Week 9, against the Atlanta Falcons, that Colts general manager Chris Ballard was fully convinced he had made the right call.
Talking to Kay Adams on her Up & Adams show, the Colts' executive recalled how Warren almost single-handedly took over the game, making two huge plays down the stretch to secure a 31-25 overtime win.
Indianapolis Colts' Chris Ballard says Tyler Warren reminds him of Dave Casper
"There's two plays in the game. There's a fourth-and-two, I think, that he's got a guy draped on him that, like, if we don't make it, we lose the game," Ballard said. "He makes an unbeliavable play, and then, in overtime, he makes an over the shoulder catch, and I'm standing in that stadium where there's a lot of room. I was like Holy -- he looked like Dave Casper."
Warren had already led the team in receiving yards twice before that game, but that was a career-best effort for him. He finished the game with career highs in targets (10), receptions (88), yards (99), and yards per reception (12.4). He delivered when it mattered the most and proved that they could trust him to make big plays despite being a rookie.
Of course, the fans have to rejoice every time a rookie is mentioned in the same breath as a Hall of Famer and a pioneer. Casper played for eleven seasons, winning one Super Bowl and making four First-Team All-Pro selections.
He retired with 378 receptions for 5,216 yards and 52 touchdowns despite playing in an era that featured tight ends more as decoys and blockers than actual pass catchers.
Warren was one of the most exciting rookies in the league last season. He finished his first campaign with 76 receptions (second-most on the team) on 112 targets (most on the team) for 817 yards (second-most on the team) and four touchdowns, adding eight rushing yards on six carries and another score.
Like with all young players, there will be a learning curve and some growing pains, but he seemed to be a seamless fit for Shane Steichen's offense. Now, with Michael Pittman Jr. gone and no replacement in sight, he will probably be asked to do even more heavy lifting, with 1,000 receiving yards as a realistic goal if he stays healthy.
The Casper comparison makes sense because of his athleticism and ability to make adjustments before the catch. That being said, every player is unique, and he doesn't have to be the next X or Y when he can be the first Tyler Warren.