With 104 catches for 1,233 yards and 12 total touchdowns in 2024, Penn State’s Tyler Warren became the first tight end to finish top 10 in Heisman Trophy voting since Notre Dame’s Ken MacAfee finished third in 1977. That’s how rare a season the 6-foot-6, 257-pound redshirt senior had in his final year in Happy Valley, but it wasn’t enough to be the first tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft.
The versatile Warren, who featured as a wildcat quarterback for the Nittany Lions on their run to the College Football Playoff Semifinal, had long been projected to be the top player at his position and a top 10 selection, but with the No. 10 pick, the Chicago Bears and first-year head coach Ben Johnson opted for Michigan tight end Colston Loveland.
Warren had to wait four picks later to finally hear his name called in Green Bay on Thursday night.
Indianapolis Colts select Penn State tight end Tyler Warren 14th overall
The Indianapolis Colts have not had a tight end record over 500 receiving yards in a season since Eric Ebron caught 66 passes for 750 yards from the now-retired Andrew Luck in 2018. Tight end has been a pressing need for general manager Chris Ballard over the years, and with the Bears opting for Loveland, a more traditional tight end than the do-it-all Penn State product, Ballard lucked into the best one in the draft.
Not the most refined route-runner or technically sound blocker, the Colts will need to get creative to get the ball in Warren’s hands, but once head coach and play-caller Shane Steichen finds the best way to use his new weapon, he’ll be rewarded. Warren dominated the Big Ten with his physicality and athleticism, and while he won’t have the same advantages against NFL defenders, he’s still a mismatch nightmare and a quarterback’s best friend.
Both the Bears and the Colts are looking for their former first-round quarterback to take another step forward next season. Bears QB Caleb Williams displayed more promise through his rookie season than Anthony Richardson has in two seasons with the Colts, and both will be helped by their new tight end, but Chicago will regret passing on Warren.
Warren would have been an ideal fit in Chicago next to tight end Cole Kmet, but without other pass-catching options in the way in Indianapolis, he should out-produce Loveland in Year 1 and throughout his rookie contract with the Colts.
Even if Richardson continues to struggle with his accuracy, Steichen can design ways to get the ball into his hands on screens and out of the backfield. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki built the entire passing game around Warren, which allowed former five-star quarterback Drew Allar to make a huge improvement last season; now Warren can do the same for Richardson.