Dane Brugler recently released his latest two-round mock draft, and The Athletic’s lead draft analyst may have just given the Indianapolis Colts fan base what those running the franchise have struggled to provide: Hope.
That feeling is dangerous in Indianapolis among many fans who are tired of hearing about what the Colts could be during the offseason only to accept another disappointing campaign without an AFC South title or playoff berth. The scars run deep.
“I need to earn (the fans’) trust back,” general manager Chris Ballard said at his year-end news conference. “Anything I say until we win, until we really win — and I’m not talking about just getting to the playoffs. I mean really win, really create something … I get it. I understand where the frustration comes from and why they would question, why they should question.”
Ballard’s feet will be held to the fire soon enough, but in the meantime, Brugler put on his GM hat and took a crack at helping jumpstart the franchise. His main catalyst: Penn State tight end Tyler Warren.
Brugler predicted that Indianapolis would select Warren with the No. 14 pick before taking Florida State cornerback Azareye’h Thomas 45th overall (though the full draft order hasn’t been solidified beyond the first 24 picks). Thomas, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 198 pounds, has the size, length and physicality Ballard usually looks for in a cornerback, but the real prize in Brugler’s mock draft is obviously Warren.
Last year, the Colts were two draft picks away from potentially selecting Georgia tight end Brock Bowers, who was named a first-team All-Pro in 2024 following a record-breaking rookie campaign with the Raiders. Bowers’ 112 catches, 1,194 receiving yards and five TDs were all way more than Indianapolis tight ends Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, Drew Ogletree and Will Mallory tallied combined. Indianapolis finished with 467 receiving yards by tight ends during the 2024 season, which trailed only the Rams’ 459 yards for the fewest in the NFL.
“(Our tight ends are) excellent blockers, but our inability to control the middle of the field, which we’ve got to be able to do, I’ve got to be able to give (coach Shane Steichen) and them a guy that can really control the middle of the field that teams have to account for and defend,” Ballard said. “I just haven’t been able to do that.”
Insert Warren.
The Penn State star was named a first-team All-American and took home the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end. Warren finished his final college season with 104 receptions, 1,233 receiving yards and eight TDs. He added 26 carries for 218 yards and four TDs while helping the Nittany Lions reach the College Football Playoff semifinals.
Brugler believes Warren, widely considered the top tight end in this year’s class, would be a perfect fit in Indianapolis.
“This pairing is going to be popular throughout the process — and it is easy to see why,” Brugler wrote. “Warren will have the testing numbers that GM Chris Ballard covets, and he is NFL-ready and quarterback-friendly, exactly the combo the Colts should be targeting to help QB Anthony Richardson develop.
“Let’s be real: This regime must draft players who will help win games immediately.”
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Brugler’s last point can’t be overstated. Of the Colts’ five first-round picks during Ballard’s first eight years with the franchise, only has proven to be a win-now player: Quenton Nelson. The star left guard was selected sixth overall in 2018 and has made seven consecutive Pro Bowls to start his career.
However, 2017 first-round pick Malik Hooker’s time in Indianapolis was marred by a season-ending knee and Achilles injuries leading the team to decline the safety’s fifth-year option. Defensive end Kwity Paye was Ballard’s next first-round pick, in 2021, and the team picked up his fifth-year option for 2025, though he’s yet to deliver a dominant season. Richardson was next in line in 2023, and while there have been impressive moments, his injuries and inaccuracy raise serious questions about his NFL future. And finally edge rusher Laiatu Latu had a relatively quiet rookie campaign (four sacks, 12 QB hits) after Ballard called him “the best f—ing rusher in the draft.”
Obviously, Ballard couldn’t predict the significant injuries Hooker and Richardson would sustain in the NFL. But with Richardson poised to be the team’s starting QB again in 2025, the GM can give him a big target over the middle of the field to work with. Warren is 6-foot-6 and weighs 261 yards according to Penn State’s roster. His speed, athleticism and versatility as a route runner would theoretically create a lot of mismatches for Richardson to take advantage of.
Warren is a willing blocker, though he’ll need to improve in that area at the next level, but that’s not why the Colts would be drafting him over other positional needs at cornerback, safety and linebacker anyway. Indianapolis would be drafting Warren to consistently move the chains at tight end. The last time Indianapolis had a tight end record at least 400 receiving yards in a season was Jack Doyle in 2019. The fan-favorite totaled 43 catches for 448 yards and four TDs en route to a second Pro Bowl nod.
“Really having a receiving target that the defense has to prepare for — you’d like to be able to find and get,” Ballard said of his offseason.
Perhaps, as Brugler predicted, Warren could finally fill that void.
(Photo: Zach Bolinger / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
