Colts’ assistant GM Ed Dodds on first-round pick Tyler Warren

What was it about tight end Tyler Warren that stood out to Indianapolis Colts’ assistant GM Ed Dodds during the evaluation process?

What was it about tight end Tyler Warren that stood out to Indianapolis Colts’ assistant GM Ed Dodds during the evaluation process?

In short, his ability to take over and control the game.

“So, I went and saw him live,” Dodds said on Friday, “and it was like, ‘Okay, I wasn’t expecting that.’ I mean, he took over a game and you don’t see that from a tight end. I mean, they handed it to him, they were throwing the ball, blocking, I mean he just could do a lot of different things.”

In that Purdue game Dodds was referencing, Warren caught all eight of the passes thrown his way for 127 yards at 15.9 yards per catch with a touchdown, according to PFF. He also carried the ball three times for 64 yards in that contest as well, along with rushing for a touchdown, and filled a variety of roles moving around the formation.

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard members of the Colts‘ front office highlight Warren’s ability to dominate a game. GM Chris Ballard mentioned after the draft that all you really had to watch of Warren was his performance against USC to see everything you needed to know.

Warren will certainly give the Colts that needed passing game boost from the tight end position that they desperately need. In 2024, Warren caught over 100 passes and eclipsed 1,200 receiving yards. As Ballard has described, he can be a real threat over the middle of the field.

However, Warren’s impact will go well beyond that facet of the game. As someone who is a capable run-blocker and can be moved around the formation pre-snap, he can handle a wide variety of roles, and that presence adds some unpredictability to the Colts’ offense.

“You can just do so many different things with them. You can line them up at different spots,” added Dodds. “I mean you can do things where you create matchups with the defense. Like you’re in 12 but if the guy can move around like he can, you’re kind of really in 11.

“Then on the flip side, if they go little people and nickel, now you’ve got a bigger man that can block. I mean it just puts stress on the defense and who they’re going to put out there to match up.”

This, in turn, will not only create opportunities for Warren to exploit but can benefit his teammates as well through the attention he draws or mismatches he helps produce–both in the running and passing games.