The Indianapolis Colts’ general manager, Chris Ballard, started their NFL draft by addressing a key need, selecting a dynamic tight end. He rounded it out by sticking to a familiar formula—prioritizing offensive improvements while also filling defensive gaps.
Ballard chose a versatile tight end to strengthen the Colts’ offense, providing a reliable target for whoever wins the starting quarterback job between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones. Additionally, he brought in a running back to ease Jonathan Taylor’s workload, added depth to the offensive line, and even selected a developmental quarterback.
“These are all productive, mature players with toughness and the kind of character we wanted to add,” Ballard said.
While the spotlight on Day 3 briefly turned to former Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, the Colts’ first-round pick, tight end Tyler Warren from Penn State, generated the most excitement. Warren, selected 14th overall, marks the end of a four-year search for a reliable tight end after the retirement of two-time Pro Bowler Jack Doyle following the 2021 season. Last year, the Colts posted the lowest tight end reception total in the league.
Warren is known for his dependable hands, ability to break tackles after the catch, and knack for converting third downs. His versatility will give head coach Shane Steichen plenty of creative opportunities, similar to his previous coaching stops.
“He’s a guy who can do it all—catch, run, throw. We might even play him on defense,” Steichen joked. “When I was in San Diego, we had the (Antonio) Gates rule: If he’s one-on-one, throw him the ball.”
The Colts’ Saturday picks will also contribute. In the fifth round, they selected Kansas State running back D.J. Giddens (No. 151 overall), who rushed for over 3,000 yards and caught 58 passes in his college career. At 6-2, 212 pounds, Giddens is a solid fit as a backup to Taylor, who carried the ball 303 times last season. While Leonard might not be ready to start next season, he could serve as the third quarterback and continues to work on his accuracy.
Now, it’s up to Steichen to make all these pieces fit.
“When I watched Warren’s tape, the toughness he plays with stood out. You can put a lot on his plate and try him in different roles,” Steichen said. “We’ll explore different ways to use him throughout the offseason and training camp.”