How Colts' Tyler Warren could follow in footsteps of Raiders' Brock Bowers

Per ESPN stats, tight end Brock Bowers led the 2024 Las Vegas Raiders with 112 receptions, 1,194 receiving yards, 153 targets and five touchdown receptions after Las Vegas made him the 13th overall pick of last year's NFL Draft. 

Earlier this year, the Indianapolis Colts grabbed promising tight end Tyler Warren with the 14th overall selection of the 2025 draft. For an article published on Monday, ESPN's Ben Solak shared how a recent visit with the Colts left him believing the organization thinks Warren could lead the club in at least targets during his rookie campaign. 

"There is no hiding the excitement in Indianapolis for having a legitimate talent at tight end for the first time in years," Solak explained. "I'm not sure Warren will get enough routes to actually lead the team in targets, as he'll be used plenty as a blocker even on passing downs. But there is a large chapter of the Colts' playbook that has opened up exclusively because Warren is in the building. He's going to get his -- third down, red zone, two-minute drives. And if he produces early, expect the portion of the pie that is schemed up for him to grow and grow."

Likely the biggest thing working against Warren's development is the fact that the Colts may not have a legitimate starting quarterback on their roster this summer. Neither Anthony Richardson Sr. nor Daniel Jones grabbed a commanding lead in the competition for the Colts' QB1 job ahead of what became a 23-19 preseason loss to the Green Bay Packers this past Saturday. Both were fine, but not spectacular, versus Green Bay. 

There is currently no indication that the Colts plan to trade for an available signal-caller, such as Kenny Pickett of the Cleveland Browns, before Indianapolis opens the season with a matchup against the Miami Dolphins on Sept. 7. As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook had Warren tied for 10th (with three others) among the betting favorites at +3000 odds to claim the Offensive Rookie of the Year Award for the upcoming campaign. 

For Warren to remain in OROTY conversations through December, he'll need to build up chemistry with Richardson or Jones over the next few weeks before the Colts host the Dolphins on the first Sunday of September. It sounds like either quarterback could look for Warren early and often once the games begin to matter.