Could the Colts land arguably the top tight end in this year’s draft class, as well as some needed defensive help?
According to PFF, the Indianapolis Colts’ ‘ideal haul’ for the 2025 NFL Draft class is highlighted by prized Penn State tight end Tyler Warren, as well as two other talented rookies:
Indianapolis Colts: TE Tyler Warren, ILB Carson Schwesinger, EDGE Jordan Burch
Indianapolis will venture into the 2025 season with multiple long-term questions to answer, both at quarterback and the executive level. The bottom line for Chris Ballard is that it’s time to add more depth and skill at positions that have merely been adequate.
Warren’s elite receiving, rushing and blocking ability could offer Anthony Richardson a safety blanket, especially considering Indy’s struggles with drops at wideout. Schwesinger (80.6 overall PFF grade) is a versatile linebacker who could supplant pending free agent E.J. Speed. Burch (81.3 PFF pass-rushing grade) would elevate a group that produced only a 64.5 PFF pass-rushing grade and needs more stars next to Laiatu Latu.
As the consensus top tight end prospect in this year’s class, the 6’5.5,” 256 pound tight end Warren would be close to a slam dunk for the Colts—if he’s available around the 14th overall pick, which is expected to be around his projected draft floor (*as a potential Top 10 pick).
As a senior for the Nittany Lions, Warren caught 104 receptions for 1,233 receiving yards (11.9 ypr. avg.) and 8 touchdown receptions in 16 starts—earning First-Team All-American, First-Team All-Big Ten, Big Ten Tight End of the Year, and the John Mackey Award.
At his sheer size and with the ability to catch and separate, as well as block at a high level, Warren is one of the most complete tight ends prospects to come out in recent memory.
He would be an ideal fit in the Indy offense by providing a sure-handed, dynamic playmaker over the middle of the field (and down the seam) for projected third-year starter Anthony Richardson, as well as a plus in-line blocker to help boost the Colts’ power running game led by star workhorse Jonathan Taylor.
Meanwhile, Schwesinger is a 6’2.5,” 242 pound redshirt junior linebacker out of UCLA, where he recorded 136 tackles (90 solo), 9 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, 3 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and a forced fumble during 12 starts in 2014—as he was awarded First-Team All-American and All-Big Ten honors respectively.
While undersized, Schwesinger showed a knack for finding the football with the Bruins and is a good athlete with exceptional coverage skills, who projects as a ‘Will’ linebacker at the pro level—which could be ideal for the Colts if they look to replace free agent starter E.J. Speed through this year’s NFL Draft.
Lastly, Burch is a 6’4,” 279 pound senior edge coming out of Oregon, who recorded 31 tackles (13 solo), 11 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 6 passes defensed, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery 10 starts in 2024—receiving Third-Team All-Big Ten honors.
Burch is a talented pass rusher, who NFL.com coincidentally compares to Colts’ free agent versatile defensive lineman Dayo Odeyingbo and could be great value come Round 3.