ClutchPoints
One player who has the Indianapolis Colts excited is their first-round pick. And Tyler Warren is one of two roster hopefuls who improved their stock after the preseason-opening loss to the Ravens.
Warren stepped forward, catching three passes for 40 yards. That included a 23-yard reception in the first quarter that impressed quarterback Anthony Richardson.
“He’s a beast. I’m not surprised,” Richardson said. “We just gotta do our job getting the ball to him and just let him keep rolling, keep rumbling.”
An injury to Richardson may have cracked the door open further for Daniel Jones, whose stock improved with the setback. This is true even though Richardson toughed it out and returned to the Colts’ practice recently.
Warren has easily caught the eye of head coach Shane Steichen, who said he has similarities to Hall of Famer Antonio Gates, according to a post on YouTube by Up & Adams.
“I think he’s got a natural feel for the game,” Steichen said. “I think he has an awareness for zones and voids in the defense as he’s running routes. But the one thing that’s really impressive about him, he’s got unbelievable hands. And when he’s out in the open space, he is so physical at the point of attack. Like he’s going to lower his shoulder and go after you. I love that about him.”
Warren’s 20 snaps against the Ravens brought him compliments from Pro Football Focus.
“Warren made the most of his brief debut by hauling in three receptions for 40 yards,” Dalton Wasserman wrote. “His 83.0 OFF receiving grade was the highest on the team in the preseason’s first week. Warren displayed a nice feel for finding space in zone coverage while showcasing his trademark after-the-catch ability on an explosive play late in the first quarter. His blocking performance was more mediocre. As he was beaten once in pass protection and twice in the run game.”
Also, he graded out with an A, according to nfl.com.
“The Colts showed confidence in their first-round tight end, throwing Warren a screen on the team’s second offensive play (though it was negated by penalty),” Chad Reuter wrote. “He caught a short pass over the middle on that drive, fought for a first down after a would-be tackler bounced off his thigh on his second catch, and then rumbled 23 yards down the middle on this third grab. Warren attacked his blocking duties in-line, keeping his hands and feet active while also holding his ground as a move blocker.”
Jones has more of a shot with the injury to Richardson, according to The Athletic.
“It’s unclear how long Richardson will be sidelined, if at all, due to his dislocated finger, but Jones is still the biggest beneficiary of Richardson’s injury,” James Boyd wrote. “Jones had some good moments and some not-so-good moments while filling in for...
