In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, one got the sense that the Indianapolis Colts would’ve been willing to trade up for a top-10 tight end talent like Tyler Warren.
Instead, Warren fell right into their lap at 14th overall, and when the Miami Dolphins passed on him at 13th overall, the reactions in the Colts’ Draft war room were worth watching.
Behind the Scenes of Colts’ Epic Steal of Tyler Warren at the 2025 NFL Draft
The Dolphins were also believed to be in the hunt for a tight end, and were linked to Warren quite a few times in the lead-up to the draft. However, Miami opted to go with defensive tackle Kenneth Grant, and the moment they did, the Colts’ draft war room erupted in joy.
General manager Chris Ballard got up from his seat, and the whole room started clapping in celebration, while head coach Shane Steichen burst into laughter.
“I was agonizing over that,” Ballard noted, and went straight to his chair to call Warren.
“Hey, Tyler. Chris Ballard with the Indianapolis Colts here. We’re gonna pick you right here. Welcome to Indy,” he said.
“Yes, sir. Thank you. I appreciate it,” an excited Warren replied.
the Colts released a chunk of Tyler Warren's NFL Combine interview – as well as their reaction after Kenneth Grant was selected by the Dolphins
leaving Warren still on the board for their pick
full behind the scenes: https://t.co/sZN84WqhCa pic.twitter.com/rMxMGbkIeK
— Josh Norris (@JoshNorris) May 2, 2025
Ballard was asked later if he contemplated trading up for Warren when another tight end, Colston Loveland, was picked 10th overall by the Chicago Bears, and replied:
“Nope, nope, nope. Had a good feeling. We work really hard at this to kind of figure – team needs, our pro scouts do an unbelievable job of, ‘Alright, here’s what they need.’ No, felt good about it.”
The Colts also released footage from Warren’s interview with Steichen, and the Penn State standout appeared to be answering everything correctly, earning a round of applause from everyone in the room at the end of it.
Warren was beyond happy to land in Indy and said he was excited to start winning with the Colts.
“Being able to be here with my family and do this and be a Colt now is really something cool to say, and I couldn’t be more happy to be here,” Warren said a little over 12 hours after being selected by the Colts in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. “I’m just really excited to start getting in the facility again and being a football player again.”
“I’m just going to do whatever is needed of me week to week, whatever it takes to win,” Warren said. “That’s the whole point of why we’re here, to win games and be a great football team.”
Warren is the type of TE who gives value in every phase at every level. He can be schemed RAC targets, work up the seam and in the red zone, have surprisingly efficient route running ability, and get after it as a blocker.
He is expected to be a staple early for whoever starts at quarterback, just like he was at Penn State in 2024.