NFL Draft countdown: Focus on Colts' first-round pick at No. 14

Warren made a school-record 104 catches for a team-high 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns on his way to winning the John Mackey Award as college football's most outstanding tight end last season. Per Next Gen Stats, Warren was the only tight end among this year’s prospects to earn an “elite” distinction at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine.

Middlehurst-Schwartz isn’t entirely sure Warren will make it out of the top 10 but thinks he’d make an excellent safety valve for quarterbacks Daniel Jones or Anthony Richardson while snagging contested catches with huge chunks of yards after the catch.

TE Colston Loveland | Michigan

The Athletic’s Ben Standig has the Saints taking Warren ninth overall in the draft, and the Colts opting for Loveland instead: 

“Whether Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones wins the starting quarterback job, the Colts are overdue to add more weapons on offense. The tight-end corps is particularly unimpressive. The 6-foot-6 Loveland puts a tall target on the field, one capable of running receiver routes."

Only seven teams threw for less yards per game than Indianapolis (197.7) last season. Colston had 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns in three years at Michigan and led the Wolverines with 56 catches for 582 yards and five scores in 2024. 

Per Pro Football Focus’ Josh Liskiewitz, Loveland averaged 2.69 yards per route run in 2024, more than any of the five receivers not named Tetairoa McMillan ranked in the top 50 on PFF’s Big Board. If Warren is gone, Loveland will do.

G Tyler Booker | Alabama

Of course, the Colts have other needs besides tight end. After losing center Ryan Kelly and right guard Will Fries to Minnesota, Indianapolis could use some help in the trenches. 

Booker excelled at left tackle for Alabama as Fox Sports’ Rob Rang points out, Booker starred at left guard at Alabama, where the Colts already have All-Pro Quenton Nelson.

At 6-foot-5 and 325 pounds, Booker has size but may not have the elite strength of other prospects, but he was a two-year captain at Alabama, splitting time between left and right guard as a freshman before being used exclusively at right guard in 2023.

Booker also took 77 snaps at left tackle last season, which could come in handy should Nelson miss time in 2025.