From Penn State Mackey Award Winner to Indianapolis Colt: Tyler Warren’s Rise
Tyler Warren, the 23-year-old tight end for the Indianapolis Colts, has emerged as one of the most intriguing rookies in the 2025 NFL fantasy football landscape. Drafted 14th overall in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft out of Penn State, Warren’s blend of size, athleticism, and receiving prowess makes him a potential TE1 in fantasy leagues. Standing at 6’6″ and 256 lbs, he dominated college with record-breaking performances, tying the tight end record with 17 receptions in a single game against USC in 2024 and winning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end.
His 2025 rookie season has already shown promise, with 42 receptions for 518 yards and 3 touchdowns through Week 12, averaging 12.33 yards per catch. As the Colts navigate quarterback uncertainty with Anthony Richardson’s ups and downs, Warren has become a reliable target, emerging as a mid-to-late round lottery ticket in fantasy drafts. This guide dives into Tyler Warren’s fantasy football value for the remainder of 2025, including projections, rankings, matchup analysis, and why he’s a must-add for TE-needy managers.
Tyler Warren’s 2025 Rookie Stats So Far: A Steady Climb to TE1 Status
Through 12 weeks of the 2025 season, Tyler Warren has solidified his role as the Colts’ primary tight end, logging consistent targets in Shane Steichen’s pass-heavy scheme. His stat line stands at 42 receptions on 62 targets for 518 yards and 3 touchdowns, with a 67.7% catch rate and 12.33 yards per reception. Warren’s usage has ramped up since Week 3, with at least 4 receptions in every game and a high of 7 targets in Week 12 against the Chiefs, where he hauled in 5 for 45 yards. His YAC (yards after catch) ability shines, averaging 4.2 YAC per reception, making him a PPR darling in fantasy leagues.
Key highlights:
- Week 2 Pepsi Rookie of the Week: 79 yards on 4 catches vs. the Texans, earning the honor for his explosive play.
- Week 12 vs. Chiefs: Tied Michael Pittman Jr. for team lead in receptions (5), showing red-zone reliability with his first TD since Week 5.
- Season Trends: 8.3 targets per game since Week 8, up from 4.5 early—Richardson’s return has boosted the pass game, with Warren as the safety valve.
Compared to 2024’s Brock Bowers (Raiders TE, 1,038 yards, 5 TDs as rookie), Warren trails slightly (518 vs. Bowers’ 1,038 through Week 12), but his 1 fewer target and yard in the first two games mirror Bowers’ slow start—Reddit’s r/fantasyfootball (September 15, 2025) calls it “eerie.” FantasyPros ranks him TE11 in PPR, but his ceiling is top-5 with Richardson’s health.
Tyler Warren Fantasy Football Projections for Rest of 2025 Season
With 5 weeks left (Weeks 13-17), Tyler Warren’s fantasy outlook is bright in a Colts offense leaning on pass catchers amid Richardson’s inconsistencies. ESPN projections (November 26, 2025) forecast 45 receptions, 550 yards, and 4 TDs for the remainder, totaling season lines of 87 catches, 1,068 yards, and 7 TDs—TE6 finish in PPR.
Week-by-Week Projections (PPR Scoring):
| Week | Opponent | Projected PTS | Key Matchup Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 (Dec 1) | vs. Titans | 12.5 | Weak TE defense – Target Warren early |
| 14 (Dec 8) | at Patriots | 10.2 | Snow possible; YAC upside |
| 15 (Dec 15) | vs. Giants | 11.8 | London game? Travel boost for short targets |
| 16 (Dec 22) | at Texans | 9.5 | Struggled vs. HOU early; Fade if Richardson sits |
| 17 (Jan 5) | vs. Jaguars | 13.2 | Playoff implications – Volume spike |
Season-Long Projections (ESPN/FantasyPros Average):
- Receptions: 87 (0.7 per snap)
- Yards: 1,068 (12.3 avg)
- TDs: 7
- Fantasy Rank: TE6 (PPR); TE8 (Standard)
Warren’s floor is 8-10 points weekly, ceiling 20+ in PPR with Richardson’s deep shots—his 12.33 YPC edges Bowers’ 12.0. Injury risk low (no history), but QB flux caps upside—Dynasty hold with TE11 value in redraft (FantasyPros, November 26, 2025).
Why Draft Tyler Warren? Rookie TE Cheat Code in 2025
Rookie TEs were fantasy poison for years, but 2025’s class—led by Warren and Colston Loveland (Bears, TE16 projection)—breaks the mold. Pro Football Network (August 23, 2025) ranks Warren TE11 in PPR, ahead of Loveland (TE16), citing Steichen’s “layup looks” for his size (6’6″, 256 lbs). PrizePicks’ redraft (October 27, 2025) pegs him as Rookie of the Year contender over Emeka Egbuka (WR), with 10 TD upside. Reddit’s r/fantasyfootball (May 10, 2025) debates: “Warren over Bowers? Penn State YAC monster.”
Draft Value:
- Redraft: Mid-Round 8 (TE11 ADP) – Streamer with boom weeks.
- Dynasty: TE8 – 22-year-old with 3-down potential.
- Best Ball: Round 7 – TD regression positive.
Risks: Richardson’s injury history (missed Weeks 6-7) caps volume, but Pittman/Downs’ slot roles leave 100+ targets.
Matchup Analysis: Tyler Warren’s Favorable Schedule Down the Stretch
Warren’s final 5 games favor fantasy managers—Colts face TE-weak defenses in 3 of 5.
- Week 13 vs Titans: 12.5 PTS proj. – TEN allows 10.2 FP/G to TEs (bottom-5).
- Week 14 at Patriots: 10.2 PTS – NE’s cold weather boosts YAC (Warren’s strength).
- Week 15 vs Giants: 11.8 PTS – NYG middle-of-pack, but Richardson’s deep balls help.
- Week 16 at Texans: 9.5 PTS – HOU struggled vs. TEs early (fade if AR sits).
- Week 17 vs Jaguars: 13.2 PTS – JAX worst vs. TEs (12.8 FP/G allowed).
Upside: Playoff push means 70+ snaps/week; Downside: If Gardner Minshew starts, targets drop 15% (Week 6 data).
Dynasty Outlook: Tyler Warren as TE1 Upside in 2025 and Beyond
For dynasty leagues, Warren’s a steal at TE11 ADP—Penn State’s Mackey Award (2024) and 104 catches (1,233 yards) scream elite. SI.com (August 19, 2025) ranks him over Loveland for “focal point” in Steichen’s scheme, projecting 80+ catches, 900+ yards, 6 TDs as rookie. Long-term: 3-down TE with 10+ TD ceiling if Richardson develops—compare to Bowers’ TE6 finish (2024). Reddit r/fantasyfootball (September 15, 2025) raves: “Warren’s YAC = cheat code.”
Trade value: TE8 in 1QB; TE5 in Superflex. Hold through 2028—$20M contract extension likely post-rookie deal.
Waiver Wire and Trade Targets: Pairing Warren for Fantasy Success
- Add Now: If dropped (5% owned, ESPN), grab for TE desperation—Week 13 Titans matchup is juicy.
- Trade For: Pair with Pittman (WR2) for WR1 + flex; Give up TE15 like Evan Engram.
- Stream Strategy: Sit vs. Texans (Week 16); Start vs. Jags (Week 17).
FantasyPros consensus (November 26, 2025): Start/Sit – Start in 80% of leagues.
Conclusion: Tyler Warren – 2025’s Rookie TE Breakout You Can’t Ignore
Tyler Warren’s 2025 fantasy story is the antidote to TE purgatory: 42 catches, 518 yards, 3 TDs through 12 weeks, with TE6 upside in PPR. From Penn State’s Mackey magic to Colts’ target hog, Warren’s 12.33 YPC and 67.7% catch rate echo Bowers’ path—grab him in Round 8 for a lottery ticket that cashes. As Richardson steadies, Warren’s not a streamer—he’s your season-saver. In a rookie class with Emeka Egbuka and Ashton Jeanty, Warren’s the TE cheat code. Stash him, start him, win with him.
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