Listen up, fantasy football managers, if you sleep on Tyler Warren in your upcoming drafts, you’re going to be kicking yourself come Week 4. I’ve been covering fantasy football for years, and rarely do I see a rookie tight end positioned for immediate stardom quite like this Indianapolis Colts first-rounder.
Besides Brock Bowers last year, both first-round rookies seem to be poised to beat their late-round ADP.
The kid out of Penn State isn’t just another shiny new toy. He’s the real deal, and frankly, his current ADP as TE10 feels like highway robbery. While everyone’s obsessing over the flashier skill position players, Warren is sitting there in the late rounds, practically gift-wrapped for savvy managers who understand what makes tight ends tick in fantasy.
Tyler Warren 2024 College Stats and Production
You want to talk about production? Warren didn’t just put up numbers at Penn State: he absolutely demolished records. The man caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards, leading the Big Ten in receptions and finishing tied for second nationally. That’s not just impressive; that’s video game numbers.
But here’s what really gets my blood pumping about Warren’s college career: he wasn’t just a one-trick pony. This guy rushed for 218 yards and four touchdowns, completed passes as a wildcat quarterback, and basically became Penn State’s Swiss Army knife. When a college program trusts you to do everything, that tells you something about the player’s football IQ and versatility.
The fact that he broke Brock Bowers‘ single-season power conference yardage record by 400 yards should have fantasy managers salivating. Remember what Bowers did as a rookie with the Raiders? Warren’s college tape suggests he could be even more dynamic.
Here’s where things get really juicy for Warren’s fantasy prospects. The Colts don’t have a clear-cut alpha receiver. Sure, Josh Downs is talented, and Michael Pittman Jr. has his moments, but no DeAndre Hopkins or Davante Adams is commanding 140+ targets.
That vacuum creates opportunity, and smart offensive coordinators know how to exploit it. Shane Steichen, who comes from the Eagles’ creative offensive system, isn’t going to let a talent like Warren sit on the sidelines. The preseason usage tells the whole story: Warren has been on the field for 34 of 35 snaps when the starters are playing. That’s not a coincidence; that’s a clear indication of his role in this offense.
Yeah, I get it. The quarterback situation in Indianapolis makes some fantasy managers nervous. Anthony Richardson’s accuracy issues are well-documented, and Daniel Jones isn’t exactly Aaron Rodgers. But here’s the thing about tight ends: they thrive in chaos.
When quarterbacks are struggling, they look for their security blankets. They want the big, reliable targets who can bail them out on third downs and in the red zone. At 6’5″ and 256 pounds, Warren is exactly that type of player.
Tyler Warren 2025 Fantasy Outlook
Jones, despite his flaws, actually has a history of supporting fantasy tight ends when he has legitimate talent to work with. And if Richardson gets significant playing time, his mobility could create broken play opportunities where Warren’s athleticism really shines.
The athletic profile here is ridiculous. Warren comes from a family of athletes: his grandfather played at Georgia Tech, his father was nicknamed “The Hitman” at Richmond, and his sister plays college softball. This isn’t just talent; this is athleticism that runs in the DNA.
Standing 6’5″ with the speed to run past linebackers and the size to overpower defensive backs, Warren creates matchup nightmares that defensive coordinators lose sleep over. In the red zone, good luck finding someone who can consistently cover him on jump balls.
His route-running ability, developed through his experience at multiple positions, including quarterback, gives him an understanding of defensive concepts that most rookie tight ends lack. This isn’t just raw athletic ability: this is refined football intelligence wrapped in an elite physical package.
Looking at last year’s tight end landscape, eight of the top 12 fantasy performers finished first or second on their teams in targets. Warren is positioned to be exactly that in Indianapolis. The Colts’ receiving corps, while deep, lacks a dominant target hog who’s going to monopolize touches.
Mike Clay’s projections have Warren at 88 targets, but I think that’s conservative. If Josh Downs’ hamstring injury lingers or if the Colts fall behind in games regularly, Warren could easily push toward that magical 100-target threshold that separates TE1s from the pack.
The red zone usage alone could make Warren a weekly starter. His size and hands make him a natural touchdown magnet, and Steichen’s creative play-calling could lead to some unique scoring opportunities that capitalize on Warren’s quarterback background.
