Tight End · Indianapolis Colts
Tyler Warren — 2026 Fantasy Outlook
Analysis by Shawn Childs, from his 2026 guide — his words, unedited.
The case
- · Warren (76/825/5 on 112 targets) was the best rookie tight end in 2025, leading to him ranking fifth in PPR fantasy points (188.50).
- · On the downside, he had no impact game, while scoring between 15.00 and 20.00 fantasy points in four matchups (5/73/1, 6/63/1, 4/69/1, and 8/99).
- · The Colts traded Michael Pittman to the Steelers, opening up 111 targets to be divided between Indianapolis’s top wide receivers and Warren.
- · He scored fewer than 10.00 fantasy points in eight (4/53, 5/26, 5/45, 2/17, 3/19, 3/30, 5/43, and 5/26) of the Colts' last 10 matchups due to an injury to Daniel Jones. As a result, Warren averaged only 8.7 PPR fantasy points over this span.
- · Warren had a good chance at leading Indianapolis in targets in 2026.
Question marks
- · The Colts scored 321 points over their first 10 games last year, highlighted by seven games (33, 41, 40, 31, 38, 38, and 31) with over 30 points, but averaged 20.7 points over their final seven contests (HOU twice, SEA, and JAC twice).
- · Is Daniel Jones the real deal at quarterback, or did the Colts donate $88 million to the 24th-ranked fantasy quarterback in 2026?
- · Can Warren produce difference-maker touchdowns? He had 12 TDs in his final season (104/1,233/8 on 137 targets with 26 rushes for 218 yards and four scores) at Penn State.
Shawn's conclusion
His natural progression and opportunity in 2026 paint a winning tight end picture, but that is also the case for all three 2026 rookie tight ends. Warren draws the @TEN, CIN, and @CLE in Weeks 15 to 17. He brings a safe tight end feel, with another gear to his game if Indy does feature him in their passing game.
More on Warren
Warren saw limited action over his first four seasons at Penn State, totaling 49 catches for 606 yards and 11 touchdowns before breaking out in 2024 as the focal point of their offense. He led the nation with 104 catches while adding 1,233 receiving yards and eight scores, and Penn State also used him as a runner on some plays (26 carries, 218 yards, and four touchdowns) to maximize his impact on the field. He even had six pass attempts on the year, completing three for 35 yards and a touchdown.
His best performances came away from home: a dominant 17-catch, 228-yard, and one-touchdown outing at USC, along with 100-yard games at Purdue (8/130/2) and Minnesota (8/102). He recorded at least six catches in 10 of his 16 starts, demonstrating the kind of consistency that's rare at the position.
Impact tight ends are among the hardest players to find in any draft class, and Warren has the traits to become one. He wins contested catches, creates separation over the short and intermediate areas of the field, and brings speed and quickness after the catch. His blocking is functional on quick-hitting run plays, but he'll need to prove himself against elite pass rushers when asked to chip and hold in pass protection, a key developmental area as he transitions to the NFL.
In last year’s high-stakes drafts, Warren was the 11th-ranked tight end. He beat expectations by finishing fifth in PPR fantasy points (188.50). The Colts' star tight end finished second on the team in catches (76) and receiving yards (817) while drawing the top spot in targets (112).
Despite his success, Warren lost his mojo over his final 10 games (scoring under 10.00 fantasy points eight times). In addition, he failed to deliver any impact games, which was tied to his low scoring (four touchdowns). Warren scored between 11.00 and 18.50 fantasy points in eight contests, with six coming over the first seven weeks (7/79, 4/79, 5/73, 4/44/1, 6/63/1, and 4/69/1).
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