The Indianapolis Colts never planned to ease Tyler Warren into the first-team offense.
In the team’s preseason Week 1 matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, Warren hauled in each of his three pass attempts for 40 yards. He was on the field for multiple personnel groupings and played a variety of roles — pass catcher, run blocker, and motion man in just a handful of series.
Head coach Shane Steichen has preached flexibility in offensive design, and Warren’s ability to shift seamlessly between assignments gives the Colts a major advantage in disguising their looks.
Preseason results don’t always translate directly to the regular season. The Colts are still mulling over their starting QB decision, and two preseason games remain.
That said, Warren’s kicked off his NFL journey as well as the franchise could hope. It’ll be interesting to see more out of him in red-zone situations, and in special packages similar to how he was used at Penn State.
Warren Receives ‘A’ Grade for Colts’ Preseason Performance
From last Thursday’s opening drive, Warren quickly showed what made him a Day 1 draft pick — earning him the highest rookie grade according to Chad Reuter of NFL.com.
“The Colts showed confidence in their first-round tight end, throwing Warren a screen on the team’s second offensive play (though it was negated by penalty),” Reuter wrote. “He caught a short pass over the middle on that drive, fought for a first down after a would-be tackler bounced off his thigh on his second catch, and then rumbled 23 yards down the middle on this third grab. Warren attacked his blocking duties in-line, keeping his hands and feet active while also holding his ground as a move blocker.”
Warren’s production in his debut certainly mirrored his pre-draft scouting report. While expectations for Warren’s incoming rookie campaign are more demure compared to last year’s breakout by Brock Bowers with the Las Vegas Raiders, everything, on paper, as well as on the field suggest an impactful role out of the gate.
Progressing Faster Than Previous Rookies
At 6-foot-6, 256 pounds, Warren presents a unique matchup problem. Linebackers have to deal with his size and physicality, while safeties struggle to keep up with his stride length and acceleration.
Just as important was his performance in the trenches. The Colts’ offensive identity is rooted in physicality, and Warren embraced that from snap one. He was initiating contact, dictating leverage and creating space for the backs.
Tight end is one of the slowest-developing positions in the NFL. Rookies have to master route trees, complex blocking schemes and pre-snap adjustments — often taking years to truly excel. Warren’s first performance doesn’t guarantee he’s an outlier, but it does suggest he’s already handling the learning curve faster than most.
The chemistry with Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones is already forming. Richardson looked to Warren in multiple situations — quick screens and short crosses — trusting him to win positioning and protect the football. That trust is critical for a quarterback still refining his timing and accuracy in the short-to-intermediate game.
NFL teams want first-round picks to produce early. If Warren keeps showing this generational mix of physical toughness, versatility, and reliability, he could quickly become one of Richardson’s go-to options when the real games begin.
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