Without a doubt, the most popular selection for the Indianapolis Colts in 2025 NFL mock drafts at this stage of the offseason is Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
Adding to that excitement, ESPN draft analyst Matt Miller recently made NFL comparisons for the 12 draft prospects who have first round grades on his big board.
So who did Miller choose for Warren? Well, it’s an impressive comparison to say the least.
Rob Gronkowski.
“I don’t typically compare prospects to NFL Hall of Famers, but since Gronk isn’t in the Hall yet, I’m making an exception because Warren is that rare and that good,” wrote Miller.
The Colts need a much greater presence in the passing game from the tight end position. Last season, the Colts’ four tight ends on the 53-man roster totaled 467 passing yards. For some context, there were 25 individual tight ends in the NFL who had more receiving yards on their own.
Warren would certainly provide that presence after a 2024 season that included 104 receptions, 1,233 receiving yards, and eight touchdowns.
“The 6-foot-6, 257-pound Warren has the functional quickness and movement of a much smaller player, more in line with a 6-foot-3 tight end such as Sam LaPorta,” added Miller.
A high-end presence in the passing game at the tight end position can also help create opportunities for others in the offense with the attention that Warren can draw and the mismatches he can help create.
But beyond the passing game, Warren is also very versatile–able to line up across the formation–and is a very good run-blocker as well.
That well-rounded, do-it-all type skill set can add a layer of unpredictability to an offense–an element that the Colts just don’t have at the moment.
“He could be an Offensive Rookie of the Year contender in the right scheme,” Miller wrote.
So it’s easy to see why Warren is a popular pick for the Colts. But when it comes to his skill set, just about every team picking ahead of the Colts would benefit from having Warren on their roster.
Although he may be a favorite pick in mock drafts, there’s no guarantee he gets to pick No. 14 either.