Tyler Warren Fantasy Outlook: Could the Colts’ rookie tight end become a fantasy TE1?
The college standout has drawn early first-round NFL Draft capital and, in Indianapolis, lines up in a clearer path to a significant role than many rookie tight ends. After years of putting rookies in the shadows at the position, Warren enters a Colts offense that desperately needed a true TE1 last season.
Why Warren could matter for fantasy
– The Colts had no clear, reliable tight end last year. A rotation of Kylen Granson, Mo Alie-Cox, Andrew Ogletree, and Will Mallory filled the spot, but none established themselves as a true threat in the passing game.
– Warren’s draft investment signals the team’s intent to feature a primary tight end. If he wins the route-running matchups and stays on the field, he could exceed the Colts’ 15.2% target share that the position combined for last season.
– There’s a tangible path to a substantial target share. If Warren earns more than 20% of targets, he could become a weekly fantasy contributor, though that outcome depends on how quickly he translates college efficiency to the NFL and how much the Colts value him in the passing game.
– The biggest hurdle: pass-catching workload. Tight ends often split time between blocking and routes. Warren’s fantasy value hinges on his ability to be deployed as a real receiving threat, not just a blocker.
– The Colts’ quarterback situation matters. With Anthony Richardson at the helm and a veteran presence backing him, the offense could find more consistency, which would help Warren’s chances of earning and sustaining targets.
Where Warren sits in current fantasy drafts
– Warren is typically listed around TE12 in early ADP, sitting ahead of some fellow rookie tight ends like Colston Loveland due to perceived upside. Loveland faces stiffer target competition, which helps Warren’s case for opportunity.
– The expectation isn’t that Warren will automatically be a Top-5 tight end as a rookie. The more realistic outcome is a TE1-at-large scenario: a streamer who could swing week-to-week, with the upside to push into low-end starter territory if he hits and the offense clicks.
What has to go right for Warren to pay off
– He must win a significant share of targets in a Colts passing attack that has not relied on a tight end for fantasy relevance in years.
– He needs to stay healthy and on the field for the majority of snaps, especially in passing-down roles.
– The Colts’ offense as a whole would benefit from a more efficient passing game, boosting Warren’s chances to see a steady volume.
What this means for fantasy managers
– Warren is a high-variance option. You’re banking on him becoming the Colts’ primary tight end and on the offense supporting a consistent target share.
– He’s a late-round flyer with upside. If you miss on the top-tier tight ends, Warren represents a plausible path to a week-to-week streamer with the potential to grow into a steady TE2 or even borderline TE1 if circumstances align.
– If you’re targeting a tight end early, Warren is not your replacement for a top option, but he’s worth monitoring as training camp reports roll in and the Colts reveal their preferred alignment.
Bottom line
Tyler Warren has the athletic profile and draft capital to become a featured weapon at tight end for the Colts, but fantasy success will hinge on how quickly he earns a meaningful target share and how the overall offense supports multiple pass-game options. In dynasty and keeper formats, he’s a worth-wiling investment; in redraft, treat him as a late-round ceiling play—worth a dart throw if you’re chasing upside and are flexible at the position.
Quick takeaways for managers
– If Warren lands a starting role and the Colts’ passing game improves, expect him to contribute as a weekly option with upside for more.
– Loveland’s more crowded target tree makes Warren a potentially clearer path to opportunity; monitor early camp reports.
– Don’t reach for him in standard drafts; consider him a lottery-ticket in the late rounds, with the potential payoff if he hits.