Colts Stick with Tyler Warren in ESPN's 2025 NFL Draft Redo, but Make a Key Change in Round 2
With Super Bowl LX in the rearview and the 2025 season officially in the books, it's time for that annual rite of passage in the NFL offseason: looking back at the draft and wondering what could’ve been. ESPN’s NFL Nation staff took a crack at redoing the 2025 NFL Draft, and when it came to the Indianapolis Colts, there was both affirmation and a bit of revision.
Let’s start with the good news - and it’s very good news. The Colts didn’t flinch on their first-round pick.
At No. 14 overall, they stuck with Tyler Warren, the versatile tight end out of Penn State. And honestly, why wouldn’t they?
Warren didn’t just meet expectations - he smashed them. He became just the second tight end in Colts franchise history to make the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and also earned PFWA All-Rookie honors. That’s rare air for any rookie, let alone one playing a position that often takes time to adjust to at the pro level.
Even with quarterback Daniel Jones battling injuries in the second half of the season - which naturally affected Warren’s production - the rookie tight end still showcased the kind of dynamic, multi-level threat that defensive coordinators lose sleep over. He led the team in targets (112), finished second in receptions (76), receiving yards (817), and first downs through the air (42).
He hauled in four touchdowns and even added another on the ground, rushing for eight yards on six carries. That kind of hybrid production - as a receiver, occasional runner, and even a gadget passer - brought a new wrinkle to the Colts’ offense.
Warren’s impact wasn’t just in the box score. His presence opened up the field for others and gave the Colts a reliable safety valve regardless of who was under center. For a team that’s been searching for a long-term answer at tight end since the days of Dallas Clark, Warren looks like a foundational piece.
But while the Colts nailed Round 1, ESPN’s redraft saw them take a mulligan in Round 2.
Originally, Indianapolis used the 45th overall pick on Ohio State edge rusher JT Tuimoloau. In the redo, they pivoted to Michigan cornerback Will Johnson - and given how the season played out, it’s easy to see why.
The Colts’ secondary was hit hard by injuries in 2025. Charvarius Ward Sr. and Sauce Gardner - whom the Colts paid a steep price to acquire at the trade deadline - both missed time.
So did Justin Walley, Jaylon Jones, and even veteran Kenny Moore II for a stretch. Johnson, who had 10 pass breakups in 10 starts when healthy, could’ve helped stabilize a banged-up cornerback room.
Now, it’s worth noting that Johnson’s rookie year wasn’t without its own injury struggles. He missed five games due to back and hip issues and exited the season finale with a knee injury. But when he was on the field, he flashed the coverage chops that made him a top-tier prospect coming out of college - even if questions about his speed and durability dinged his draft stock last spring.
As for Tuimoloau, his rookie campaign was more of a slow burn. He logged just 24% of the defensive snaps - 215 in total - and didn’t register a sack, though he did notch 14 pressures and four stops, per Pro Football Focus. He spent much of the season buried on the depth chart behind veterans Samson Ebukam and Tyquan Lewis, but injuries eventually opened the door for more reps.
The Colts still view Tuimoloau as part of their future, especially with Laiatu Latu and Tuimoloau the only edge rushers currently under contract for 2026. But in hindsight, with the way the cornerback group was stretched thin, Johnson might’ve been the more impactful pick in Year 1.
At the end of the day, the Colts’ 2025 draft class still brought in a Pro Bowl-caliber rookie and some intriguing developmental talent. But as the ESPN redraft exercise shows, even one or two tweaks could’ve made a big difference in a season that saw Indy finish just outside the playoff picture at 8-9.
With Warren locked in as a rising star and the defense continuing to evolve, the Colts head into 2026 with plenty of pieces - and maybe a few lessons learned.