Tyler Warren delivers impressive rookie NFL Week 1 debut performance

The former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren made his NFL Week 1 debut on Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts faced the Miami Dolphins at home. His debut was impressive from down-converting receptions to throwing up blocks that put the Colts in ideal red zone position. Indianapolis secure its first win of the season, 33-8, with help from the rookie tight end.

It was Warren's afternoon from the first play of the game. He separated himself from the Dolphins' defenseman, making space while Colts quarterback Daniel Jones had nothing but space to find Warren. His reception and advance was good for a first down along the sidelines.

His longest reception was good for 21 yards. On first-and-10 early in the first quarter, Warren made a 21-yard catch, his longest of the afternoon, that placed Indianapolis at Miami's 11-yard line. Jumping up, he made the catch and held on as he was tackled down deep in Dolphin territory.

Aside from the receiving side of the game, the tight end was essential in blocking. After making the 21-yard catch that advanced the Colts to first-and-goal, Warren threw up a big block in attempt to make room for Jones. The quarterback couldn't push his way all the way into the end zone. Indianapolis ultimately settled for a field goal after Jones only pushed through enough to bring up a fourth down.

Warren put up another wall in the fourth quarter while Miami remained scoreless. Ashton Dulin powered through while the tight end kept blocked the defender. Dulin attempted a dive to cross the plane into the end zone, but settled for a 15-yard gain one yard shy of the touchdown.

The former Nittany Lion's abilities were compared to those of a running back throughout Sunday's game as well.

Late in the fourth quarter, Warren had a 15-yard catch on third-and-four. Right after making the grab, he put the breaks on and redirected to pick up more yards and move the chains without question.

On the Colts' first touchdown drive of the game that started in the first quarter and finished in the second, Warren was used in the run game as a pleasant surprise. Looking to convert on third-and-one, Jones handed the ball off to the tight end who powered his way through for a three-yard gain up the middle.

His Sunday performance left people wondering how the Penn State product wasn't the first tight end taken in the 2025 NFL Draft. Michigan's Colston Loveland was the 10th overall selection, drafted four picks ahead of Warren, by the Chicago Bears.

Though Warren didn't record a touchdown, he and Jones foreshadowed that his first NFL score is just on the horizon. The two were inches away from connecting with Warren reaching up for the ball in the end zone. Miami safety Minkah Fitzpatrick took Warren down nearly a second before the ball reached him, but the officials didn't give the tight end the pass interference call he looked for after the play.

Warren finished his debut with seven catches for 76 yards, second-most on the team in receiving. Michael Pittman Jr. led the Colts with six receptions and 80 yards.