Mandatory minicamp will take place for the Indianapolis Colts from June 9-11. This is often the last big milestone in the NFL offseason calendar before training camp arrives in late July.
Through the first two weeks of OTA practices, we’ve gained some valuable insights into where things stand on the depth chart, along with who may be standing out early on, but questions at each position group remain, and that’s normal at this time of the year. It won’t be until training camp and the preseason take place that playing time and final roster decisions are made.
So as part of our Colts’ minicamp preview, let’s highlight the one big question facing each position group. Next up are the tight ends.
What’s the next step for Tyler Warren?
Warren was excellent during his rookie season. He finished second on the team in targets with 106 on the season. Warren would haul in 76 of those passes for 817 yards with four touchdowns.
Among all tight ends league-wide, Warren was tied for sixth in receptions and was fifth in receiving yards, according to Pro Football Focus.
To go along with his impressive production in the passing game, Warren also added a do-it-all presence to the offense, able to contribute in the run game, along with being moved around the formation. That well-rounded skill set brought more unpredictability to Shane Steichen’s offense.
So after doing so much in Year 1, what else could Warren do in Year 2? If you ask Warren, maintaining separation throughout his routes was an area of emphasis for him.
“For me, the big thing is the explosion out of my breaks,” Warren said recently, via The Athletic’s James Boyd. “Getting into the break is one thing, but being able to accelerate out of it and still — you create that space, but being able to hold that space is really big. But really when it comes down to all of the little fundamentals, I think is the biggest thing in this league. Everyone is so good, you gotta have everything you’re doing to the T and perfect.”
Steichen, when asked a similar question, mentioned the importance of Warren continuing to make plays in the red zone.
Where Warren’s role could also expand is in the variety of routes he’s asked to run in an effort to help minimize Michael Pittman’s departure.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Big question facing Colts tight end position heading into minicamp
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
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By Paul Bretl, Colts Wire | USA TODAY Network
