Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts

In the NFL, Pro Football Focus (PFF) rankings are widely regarded as a benchmark for evaluating player performance, blending advanced metrics and film analysis to highlight standout talents across every position. For the Indianapolis Colts’ Tyler Warren, cracking the top 25 in PFF’s 2024 tight end rankings—securing the 24th spot—marks a significant milestone in his young career, validating his growth from a rotational player to a reliable contributor. Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts is more than a numerical achievement; it’s a recognition of his versatility, consistency, and ability to impact games both as a pass-catcher and a blocker—a rare combination that makes him a valuable asset in the Colts’ offense. PFF’s rankings weigh factors like catch rate, yards after catch (YAC), blocking efficiency, and red-zone production, and Warren’s strong showing in each category underscores why he’s become a key part of the Colts’ game plan. After a 2023 rookie season where he played in 14 games but had limited snaps, Warren’s jump into PFF’s top 25 signals that he’s ready to take on a larger role, offering the Colts a much-needed boost at a position that has seen its share of inconsistency in recent years.

Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts is fueled by his impressive performance in the passing game, where he emerged as a reliable target for the Colts’ quarterbacks last season. In 2024, Warren caught 42 passes for 458 yards and 3 touchdowns, posting a 76tch rate—well above the league average for tight ends (68%)—and averaging 10.9 yards per reception. What stands out in PFF’s analysis is his ability to make difficult catches in traffic; he recorded 12 catches in contested situations, ranking 15th among all tight ends, and converted 80% of his third-down targets into first downs, a critical skill for extending drives. One of Warren’s most notable strengths is his yards after catch: he averaged 4.3 YAC per reception, using his 6’5”, 250-pound frame to break tackles and gain extra yardage after making a catch. PFF highlighted his performance in a Week 11 win over the Tennessee Titans, where he caught 5 passes for 72 yards and a touchdown, earning an 82.3 game grade—one of the highest among tight ends that week. This consistency in the passing game has made Warren a favorite target in short-yardage and red-zone situations, where his size and reliable hands make him a tough matchup for linebackers and safeties.

Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts also reflects his underrated contributions as a blocker, a skill that often goes overlooked but is crucial to the Colts’ running game. PFF gave Warren an 71.2 blocking grade last season, ranking him 18th among tight ends—a significant improvement from his 62.5 grade as a rookie. His strength and technique make him effective in both run blocking and pass protection: in run-blocking situations, he consistently seals off defensive ends and linebackers, creating holes for star running back Jonathan Taylor, and in pass protection, he holds his own against edge rushers, giving quarterbacks extra time to throw. The Colts’ coaching staff has praised Warren for his work ethic in this area; he spends extra time after practice working on blocking drills with offensive line coaches, refining his footwork and hand placement to become more consistent. In a Week 8 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Warren’s blocking was instrumental in Taylor’s 120-yard rushing performance: he made key blocks on two of Taylor’s longest runs, including a 25-yard gain that set up a touchdown. PFF noted that Warren’s blocking grade was a key factor in his top-25 ranking, as it separated him from other tight ends who excel only in the passing game.

Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts has a direct impact on the Indianapolis Colts’ offensive strategy, giving head coach Shane Steichen more flexibility to design plays that exploit Warren’s versatility. The Colts often use Warren in a “move tight end” role, lining him up in the slot, out wide, or in the backfield to create mismatches with opposing defenses. For example, when Warren lines up in the slot, he forces defenses to decide between covering him with a slower linebacker (giving Warren an advantage in speed) or a smaller safety (putting the safety at a disadvantage in size). This flexibility has allowed the Colts to run more two-tight end sets, pairing Warren with veteran Kylen Granson to create a dynamic duo that can both catch and block. The Indianapolis Colts’ offensive coordinator, Jim Bob Cooter, has noted that Warren’s ranking in PFF’s list is a testament to how he’s grown into a “three-down tight end”—someone the team can rely on in every situation, whether it’s catching a pass on third down, blocking for Taylor on a run play, or protecting the quarterback in a passing situation. This versatility has made the Colts’ offense more unpredictable, as defenses can’t focus solely on stopping Taylor or wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.—they also have to account for Warren.

Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts also highlights his role as a key contributor to the Colts’ red-zone offense, which ranked 10th in the league last season with a 63% touchdown rate. Warren’s size and reliable hands make him a dominant force in the red zone: he caught 15 passes in the red zone last season, converting 10 of them into first downs and 3 into touchdowns, and PFF gave him an 83.5 red-zone grade, ranking him 12th among tight ends. The Colts often target Warren in goal-line situations, using him in “stack” formations where he lines up behind another tight end or wide receiver, then breaks free into the end zone for a short touchdown catch. In a Week 14 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Warren’s red-zone performance was critical: he caught a 2-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter to give the Colts a 24-20 lead, and he also made a key block on Taylor’s 1-yard touchdown run earlier in the game. The Indianapolis Colts’ success in the red zone is often tied to their ability to create mismatches, and Warren has become a centerpiece of that strategy. His PFF ranking reflects how valuable he is in these high-pressure situations, where every yard and every catch can mean the difference between winning and losing.

Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts is a sign of his potential to become an elite tight end in the NFL, and it bodes well for the Colts’ offense in the coming years. At just 24 years old, Warren is entering his third NFL season, and he’s already shown significant growth from his rookie year. PFF’s analysts noted that if he continues to improve his blocking consistency and increases his production in the passing game, he could move into the top 15 of their rankings as early as next season. For the Indianapolis Colts, Warren’s development is a key part of their long-term plan; with Granson set to become a free agent after 2025, Warren could eventually take over as the team’s starting tight end, providing stability at a position that has been in flux since Eric Ebron’s departure in 2020. The Colts’ front office has already recognized Warren’s value, signing him to a four-year contract extension last offseason, and his PFF ranking validates that investment. Tyler Warren Earns 24th Spot in PFF Tight End Rankings for Indianapolis Colts is more than just a milestone—it’s a preview of what’s to come. As Warren continues to develop his skills and take on a larger role in the Colts’ offense, he has the potential to become one of the best tight ends in the league, and a cornerstone of the Colts’ success for years to come.