Stephen Holder
INDIANAPOLIS — Quenton Nelson was doing Quenton Nelson issues one afternoon following a steamy coaching camp observe when the Indianapolis Colts All-Professional guard was stopped in his tracks by rookie tight finish Tyler Warren.
Nelson had made his strategy to the load room, a spot the place he clearly spends lots of time, for a post-practice exercise. There, the huge 330-pound lineman discovered Warren already properly right into a exercise.
“After the primary camp observe, he is in there doing bicep curls and a few [shoulder] shrugs and triceps,” Nelson mentioned. “Like, what are you doing rookie? You are attempting to make me look dangerous.”
In actuality, it's defenders who Warren figures to embarrass this season if his coaching camp and preseason performances are any indication.
Warren was described by the Colts' brass as an “straightforward” choice at 14th general. And nothing that is occurred within the intervening months between the draft and now suggests they had been unsuitable.
From his positive arms to his bodily working after the catch to his improvement as a blocker, the Colts couldn't be extra happy with their choose.
“He has actually simply been an awesome rookie,” Nelson mentioned.
Nelson just isn't alone. Coaches have been struck, particularly, by Warren's general toughness and physicality that they consider will set a tone for the staff.
“I feel his physicalness that he brings, watching him in reside motion final week was phenomenal,” coach Shane Steichen mentioned. “Simply the best way he lowers his shoulder within the open subject to get these further robust yards, the physicality he brings to our soccer staff, goes to be phenomenal.”
That was seemingly a reference to Warren's first preseason motion, on Aug. 7, when Warren caught a cross on a brief crossing route from quarterback Daniel Jones, then turned up the sphere with a full head of steam. As defenders approached, Warren didn't break stride. As an alternative he ran by way of security Beau Brade, who made the one affordable determination by deciding to go low to deal with Warren. Brade obtained Warren on the bottom — barely — however the security positively took the brunt of the contact on the play.
“I feel for tight ends, particularly with the ability to be in larger our bodies, with the ability to break tackles is type of anticipated if you do get the ball,” Warren mentioned.
He appeared to smile slyly as he described his bodily play.
“It is a part of it, so I feel it is necessary to embrace it or else you are going to take care of penalties,” he mentioned.
Cinema. pic.twitter.com/Py7pCVcKjF
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 1, 2025
The play in Baltimore was an instance of one thing the Colts will characteristic prominently of their offense: Performs that give Warren a possibility to achieve yards after the catch. The Colts projected Warren to be a participant who would thrive within the open subject, and people projections are proving true. It is the mixture of his bodily working but additionally his spectacular physique management that enables the 6-6, 256-pound Warren to run like a participant with a smaller stature.
“When he catches a ball, it is simply these pure instincts to weave it,” assistant basic supervisor Ed Dodds mentioned. “I feel the primary day [of camp], there was a display and simply how he maneuvered out and in of site visitors and let his block arrange, I imply, it was simply pure.”
To that finish, search for tight finish screens to be among the many methods Warren might be most utilized. But it surely will not cease there. The Colts wish to faucet into the total spectrum of Warren's abilities, which embrace working the ball as a regular ball service.
Warren's 26 carries from scrimmage for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns in his senior season at Penn State are price noting. The Colts have mentioned they're open to doing comparable issues with him on the NFL stage.
However, above all, Warren was drafted to be a receiving tight finish. And he is earned the precise to get his share of targets by displaying his dependable arms in coaching camp. Warren had one of the crucial head-turning highlights of camp when he corralled an overthrown ball in midair together with his left hand, tipping the ball to himself and securing it whereas falling to the bottom.
The following week, he made a diving catch throughout the center of the sphere, stretching out horizontally to catch the ball the best way a conventional broad receiver would possibly. These are the sorts of performs that turned routine from Warren throughout camp and the type of play the Colts assume he can produce usually this season.
There are only a few dangerous throws to gamers with Warren's superior catch radius and arms.
“We all know when the ball is in his neighborhood, he is obtained a high-percentage [chance] of catching the soccer,” Steichen mentioned.
However there's one other side of the sport that NFL tight ends must be taught if they will be full gamers: The blocking. Warren may not be regarded for this space of his recreation, however he's a diligent employee who understands its significance. And, very similar to he was that day within the weight room, he is been placing within the effort to develop into higher.
He already appears to an understanding of the seriousness of the job.
“Even in faculty, a little bit missed hand placement's going to get you beat,” he mentioned. “However, right here, it is utterly blown up.”
Stated Dodds: “I at all times type of assume it is like a boxer: He who makes first contact normally wins. So, it is simply getting higher together with his arms, which he's…. The nice ones, they at all times provoke that contact and see the initiative.”
That is what passes for a criticism of Warren round Indianapolis. Up to now, he is every thing the Colts had hoped and — as Nelson discovered that day within the weight room — possibly a little bit extra.
