Prior to the 2024 NFL Draft, it seemed the Indianapolis Colts and Georgia Bulldogs TE Brock Bowers were a match made in heaven.
Instead of selecting a premier target for sophomore QB Anthony Richardson, Bowers went off the board two picks prior to the Colts’ selection at No. 13 (Las Vegas Raiders). The Raiders’ scouting department couldn’t have done a better job, as he broke the NFL record for most receptions in a rookie campaign (112). Meanwhile, the Colts took defensive end Laiatu Latu, who recorded four sacks, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery in his first season.
While Latu showed promising signs, the Colts are still certainly upset Bowers didn’t fall to them or even that they didn’t trade up to grab him. The 2025 NFL Draft could be the perfect opportunity for Indianapolis to redeem themselves at the tight end position.
NFL Analyst Predicts Colts Will Select Stud TE Tyler Warren
Penn State has multiple players with the potential to go off the board in the top 10. The more likely and almost guaranteed to is edge rusher Abdul Carter, who resembles the style of play of Nittany Lions alum Micah Parsons.
The second is star TE Tyler Warren, who The Athletic’s Dane Brugler predicts Indianapolis to target at No. 14.
“This pairing is going to be popular throughout the process — and it is easy to see why. Warren will have the testing numbers that general manager Chris Ballard covets, and he is NFL-ready and quarterback-friendly, exactly the combo the Colts should be targeting to help Anthony Richardson develop,” Brugler wrote. “Let’s be real: This regime must draft players who will help win games immediately.”
Richardson’s group of targets consists of RB Jonathan Taylor, WRs Michael Pittman Jr., Alec Pierce, Josh Downs, and Adonai Mitchell, and TEs Kylen Granson and Drew Ogletree. This makes it abundantly clear TE is the weak point of the Colts’ offensive threats, which Warren could boost to among the best.
The 6’6″ Virginia native had a stellar senior year at Penn State, putting up 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards and eight touchdowns.
In Pro Football Network’s most recent 7-round 2025 NFL Mock Draft, the Colts opted to select LB Jihaad Campbell out of Alabama over Warren.
“It’s surprising to see some questions floating around whether Campbell is an off-ball linebacker or an edge rusher. His build could suggest playing off the edge, but he plays a more finesse style when playing as the end man on the line of scrimmage compared to how he plays at the second level.
But it’s his growth in coverage that is so enticing as a true linebacker. His fluidity, explosiveness, and trigger in coverage is incredibly impressive. College linebackers (Jalon Walker is a great example) aren’t often asked to turn and burn or pedal much to gain depth, but Campbell does so with ease. There’s even a beautiful rep of him mirroring Kyren Lacy on the goal line to take away a touchdown.
Add in his length and athleticism and you have a multiple player who is a linebacker, but could also be used sparingly as a rusher.”
In the same mock draft, Warren actually landed with the Dallas Cowboys, two picks before the Indianapolis Colts.