An extremely popular pick for the Indianapolis Colts in mock drafts is Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. However, coming out of the NFL combine, several prominent mock drafts have Warren off the board before the Colts are on the clock.
It’s easy to see why Warren is a popular pick for the Colts in mock drafts. The Colts have an obvious need at the tight end position as they search for a much greater pass-catching presence than what they’ve had previously. Warren, meanwhile, would eclipse 1,200 receiving yards last season.
But in addition to that, Warren will also bring a versatile and well-rounded skill set to the NFL level. He can line up across the formation, including in the backfield, and is a very capable blocker as well. You put that do-it-all ability at the tight end position into an offense, and it can add a new dimension or a layer of unpredictability because that player can wear so many hats.
However, it’s not only the Colts who could benefit from having Warren in their offense–most teams could, which is why it’s not a given that he’s going to be on the board at pick No. 14, even if Indianapolis would benefit greatly from having him.
A few mock drafts coming out of the NFL combine reflect this, with Warren going top 10 in all three. PFF’s Trevor Sikkema had Warren going No. 7 overall to the New York Jets. Jordan Reid of ESPN and Dane Brugler of The Athletic both had Warren being taken by the New Orleans Saints at pick No. 9.
While mock drafts are mock drafts, for the reasons described, this isn’t a far-fetched scenario by any means. In fact, it may be the most likely outcome at this time. In that instance, when it comes to addressing the tight end position, the Colts could potentially take Michigan’s Colston Loveland–who is the best pure pass-catcher at the position in this year’s draft–or they’d have to wait until Day 2 to add Elijah Arroyo (Miam), Mason Taylor (LSU), or Harold Fannin (Bowling Green), among others.
Given the depth of the free-agent class at tight end, the draft is going to be the most likely path for the Colts to tackle this need with a high-impact presence.
