The tight end position is a massive need for the Indianapolis Colts, but the good news is that there is a lot of high-end talent in this year’s draft class.
Daniel Jeremiah of the NFL Network, recently mentioned the tight end position as one of the deeper position groups in the 2025 NFL draft.
Dane Brugler of The Athletic would then echo those sentiments, posting on X that he has five to six tight ends with starter level grades. Brugler would add that there are another handful of tight ends who have the ability to carve out meaningful roles in NFL offenses.
Brugler did not specify which tight ends he was referring to, however.
The benefit for the Colts in this regard is that if for whatever reason they aren’t able to address tight end right away in the draft, either Tyler Warren, for example, is already off the board, or if Indianapolis goes in a different direction, they should have the opportunity beyond just the first round to add a potentially high impact player.
With help from Pro Football Focus’Pro Football Focus’ big board, here are their top tight ends in this year’s class:
Tyler Warren, Penn State
Colston Loveland, Michigan
Harold Fannin, Bowling Green
Gunnar Helm, Texas
Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Mason Taylor, LSU
As general manager Chris Ballard said after the season, the Colts need a greater pass catching presence at the tight end position. However, while that receiving ability is important, a tight end with a well-rounded skill set can do wonders for an offense.
When there is a tight end who is versatile and can hold his own both in the passing and running games, there’s added unpredictability that the offense now has. When a tight end can wear a number of hats, it becomes more difficult for the defense to decipher what’s coming. That not only creates opportunities for the tight end, but others within the offense as well.