The Indianapolis Colts have had a major problem at the tight end position for years. The unit has been notoriously bad, with no Indianapolis tight end reaching 500 receiving yards since 2018. Last season, in 2024, the entire unit had just 39 receptions total - ouch.
So it was no surprise that the Colts would be looking to draft a tight end, and that's exactly what they did... but it wasn't just any tight end. The Colts got arguably the best tight end in a loaded draft class, with Penn State's Tyler Warren getting the call. By all accounts, it was an A+ pick for Indianapolis, but it's gotten the seal of approval from the last great Colts tight end: Jack Doyle.
Doyle, who was born and raised in Indianapolis, is the definition of a hometown success story. After college, he was not signed in the 2013 NFL Draft, and initially, was signed by the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. Yet the Colts managed to nab him that same year off of waivers, and ended up spending his entire nine-year NFL career in Indianapolis.
He ended up being a two-time Pro Bowl selection, and ended up announcing his retirement in 2022; at that time, his 72.5% since 2013 was second-highest in the NFL. In a new interview with Jeffrey Gorman for High Volume, he was asked for this thoughts about Warren - and he had high praise for the rookie's future.
"I mean, he's just a stud. An all-around tight end, right?" he said. "And, obviously, I'm biased to the tight end position, but the willingness to block, his body control, his balance, his run after catch, you know, the dragging guys four or five yards, just, you know, getting ten yards after a seven-yard, that saves your team from getting another first down, right? It's huge and something you don't notice maybe when you're just a casual fan watching, but being able to not make your team have to convert more first downs, that's good, right? We want to get yards. So, yeah, I think he's – and a tight end just helps a quarterback get in rhythm. It builds confidence.
"They're usually easier throws. Get them the ball early, make some rhythm throws. I think it's going to be a good thing for the Colts."
Warren has been described as a tight end with "violent intentions" and an "angry mentality" who will revitalize the Colts tight end room - which is exactly what the Colts need to be successful in 2025.