INDIANAPOLIS – We’re at 10 days and counting before the countless mock drafts will be held accountable.
Which was best at projecting how the first round of the April 24 NFL Draft would unfold? Which must have been simply throwing darts at the board?
The Indianapolis Colts hold seven picks overall, including No. 14 overall. We’ve been advising General Manager Chris Ballard to invest his first-round pick in a tight end since that position endured the team’s worst production – 38 receptions, 467 yards, two touchdowns – since 1994.
The decision last week to bring back Mo Alie-Cox for a ninth season shouldn’t impact the Colts’ direction in the draft one iota. He’s a solid blocker and a veteran presence, but adding a difference-maker at the position remains a priority.
Tyler Warren. Or Colston Loveland.
The majority of mock drafts also are leaning in that direction, although there are some outliers: an offensive lineman, a cornerback, a linebacker, a defensive lineman.
Here’s an updated sampling:
Nate Davis, USA Today (April 14)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: More Rob Gronkowski than Travis Kelce – just in case you enjoy outlandish pre-draft comparisons – Warren (6-6, 256) would help this team both in the run game and as an intermediate threat down the field. That might make him the perfect piece to include, given the amount of help this team’s quarterback(s) is likely to need. Warren, the Mackey Award winner in 2024, set a Penn State record with 104 receptions last season.
Kyle Crabbs, The 33rd Team (April 14)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: Indianapolis is gearing up for a quarterback competition this summer – a legitimate summer battle for the starting job between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.
The Colts’ hedge is a respectable one, but if it’s going to work for either player, the team will need a robust support group around the quarterback. Warren is a force multiplier for the players already in-house with the Colts.
Vinnie Iyer, The Sporting News (April 14)
*The pick: CB Will Johnson, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts will think about defensive line and a tight end a lot early, too, based on the talent value, but in the end, they could use a big strong cover corner in a division with Nico Collins, Calvin Ridley and Bryan Thomas Jr. Johnson showed injuries are in his past at Michigan’s Pro Day workout, and he would be a great new asset for Lou Anarumo’s defense.
*Notable: This was The Sporting News’ mock that included trades. Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 15 following a trade-back with the Falcons and Loveland was projected to the Chiefs at No. 31.
Jordan Plocher, Pro Football Focus (April 14)
*The pick: LB Jihaad Campbell, Alabama.
*The reason: With the top tight end prospect gone, the Colts turn to getting an athletic and versatile front-seven player in Campbell. He showed what a well-rounded linebacker he is in 2024, garnering an 81.0 PFF run-defense grade and an 80.1 PFF coverage grade to go with eight sacks.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 7 and Loveland to the Broncos at No. 20.
Garrett Podell, CBS Sports (April 14)
*The pick: Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts need a tight end who can make a real difference in the passing game for Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones in 2025. The franchise hasn’t really had a true pass-game weapon at the tight end spot since Jack Doyle retired. Colston Loveland accounted for 34.7% of Michigan’s team receiving yards last season, the highest among Power 4 tight ends. He can be that guy for Indianapolis.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Dolphins at No. 13.
Nate Tice/Charles McDonald, Yahoo Sports (April 14)
*The pick: CB Will Johnson, Michigan.
*The reason: Even after signing Charvarius Ward, the Colts aren’t done adding to the cornerback position. Drafting Johnson here would be a huge get for the Colts. He has true No. 1 cornerback upside and would turn a glaring roster weakness into a position of strength for new defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Seattle at No. 18 and Loveland to the Broncos at No. 20.
Walter Football (April 14)
*The pick: G Tyler Booker, Alabama.
*The reason: The Colts lost Will Fries to Minnesota, giving them a hole at one of their guard spots. I bet they love the idea of having one of the top guard tandems in the NFL. Tyler Booker isn’t an elite athlete, but he has incredible length.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Seattle at No. 18 and Loveland to the Chargers at No. 22.
Luke Easterling, Athlon Sports (April 13)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: No matter who ends up throwing the passes for the Colts in 2025 and beyond, that guy could use a dynamic playmaker at tight end who can create matchup problems for opposing defenses downfield. Loveland has the size and athleticism to do just that, with the ability to threaten the defense at every level of the field.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Jaguars at No. 5.
Jeff Kerr, CBS Sports (April 12)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Loveland is too good a player to fall this far in the draft, as any team without a good tight end could use him. He’s the ideal security blanket in the pass game for Anthony Richardson, lining up on the line or in the slot. Instant playmaker for any offense.
Notable: Warren was projected to the Jets at No. 7.
Gennaro Filice, NFL.com (April 11)
*The pick: Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Many folks have the Colts taking a tight end, just usually not this one. Tyler Warren is a popular pick, but I’m bucking that trend with the belief that some teams could value Loveland’s route artistry at the position over Warren’s throwback skillset. Shoot, the Michigan product is running whip routes at nearly 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Chargers at No. 19.
Todd McShay, The McShay Report (April 10)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts are starved for a difference maker at this position – whether it’s in support of Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones. Loveland is just a tick behind where record-breaking rookie TE Brock Bowers was out of Georgia in terms of his route-running and separation skills. His hand-eye coordination is outstanding, and he will serve as a much-needed reliable target – he dropped only two passes all of last season – and yards generator after the catch.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Bears at No. 10.
Mel Kiper Jr., ESPN (April 8)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: The Colts had arguably the NFL’s worst tight end production last season, with their group combining for 39 catches, 467 yards and two TDs. They also lost Kylen Granson (Eagles) *Colts re-signed Mo Alie-Cox last week* . . . In an enormous make-or-break year for Anthony Richardson (and/or Daniel Jones), Indy has to get more playmakers in its offense. Loveland has the seam-stretching ability to make plays down the field, and he has the 6-foot-6 size to post up in the red zone.
Receiver is the other position that stands out, but I went with Loveland as the better value (No. 11 on my board). Here’s an interesting note from ESPN Research off that decision: This would be the first time since 2006 that multiple running backs and multiple tight ends were selected before a second wide receiver went off the board.
*Notable: Kiper projected Warren to the Bears at No. 10.
Ian Valentino, The 33rd Team (April 7)
*The pick: DT Walter Nolen, Ole Miss.
*The reason: Tight ends frequently find themselves heading to Indianapolis, but the Colts’ defense is also in need of some rebuilding. Walter Nolen ranks among the top five players in his class when he’s motivated, but he has some character concerns that could lead to him dropping in the draft. With the Colts’ starting two defensive tackles at the age of 31, this would be an ideal opportunity for the team to infuse youth into their roster while also allowing Nolen to gain experience under the guidance of veteran players.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Bears at No. 10 and Colston to the Rams at No. 26.
Nick Baumgardner, The Athletic (April 7)
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: There are days when I think Loveland might be right there with Warren as a legit top-10 prospect. An outstanding receiver who terrorized linebackers and has the ability to beat safeties (and some corners). Loveland is also a better blocker than people realize and one of the most dependable talents on the board. He’d be a perfect fit in Indianapolis.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Saints at No. 9.
Ryan Wilson, CBS Sports (April 7)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: Tyler Warren accounted for 75% of Penn State’s offense (it was closer to 50%, but it sure felt like a lot more) as a receiver, passer and runner. No player has done more for his draft stock than Warren, who was a late Day 2/Day 3 pick over the summer and could end up going higher than the middle of the first round.
Mason Cameron, Pro Football Focus (April 7)
*The pick: S Nick Emmanwori, South Carolina.
*The reason: It’s no surprise that Colts General Manager Chris Ballard values high-level athletes with elite traits. Does any prospect better fit that build than Emmanwori? While Indianapolis’ defense already houses a solid option at safety in Nick Cross, Emmanwori’s 86.8 PFF coverage grade, if he can produce it in the NFL, would be a significant improvement and a better pairing with new signee Camryn Bynum.
*Notable: Warren was projected to Dallas at No. 12 and Loveland to the Rams at No. 26.
Josh Edwards, CBS Sports (April 3).
*The pick: TE Colston Loveland, Michigan.
*The reason: Indianapolis has made it known that Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones will compete for the starting quarterback position. The Colts have invested heavily in that wide receiver room, but make Colston Loveland the face of a newly-renovated tight end corps.
*Notable: Warren was projected to the Bears at No. 10.
Field Yates, ESPN (April 2)
*The pick: TE Tyler Warren, Penn State.
*The reason: The Colts have not had a tight end reason 500 receiving yards in a single season since 2018, and none of their tight ends even reached 200 last season. So it’s safe to say Indy needs to beef up that position. Enter Warren, who crossed the 200-yard threshold on the ground and had 700 of his 1,233 receiving yards some after the catch last season. He chews up extra yardage with a combination of power, tenacity and quickness that is tough to imagine from a player of his 6-foot-6, 256-pound size.
You can follow Mike Chappell on Twitter at @mchappell51.