Who Should I Start? Austin Hooper or Tyler Warren

Wednesday, April 29, 5:15 AM

Indianapolis Colts tight end Tyler Warren converted 106 targets into 76 receptions, 817 yards, and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2025, and his opportunities could be even more bountiful in year two. The Colts have been shedding wide receivers since their mid-season trade for cornerback Sauce Gardner, in which they sent 2024 second-round pick Adonai Mitchell to the New York Jets. Shortly into the new league year, the team dealt Michael Pittman Jr. to the Steelers, and while they committed to Alec Pierce with a four-year, $114 million deal, Indianapolis has made no significant outside acquisitions through free agency or the draft. With Pittman gone, there is no player on the roster besides Warren who saw more than 84 targets last season, and the majority of passing work should now be divvied up between the trifecta of Warren, Pierce, and Josh Downs. Warren did see a significant decline in production following the season-ending Achilles injury suffered by Daniel Jones, so the quarterback situation in Indianapolis could hold significant weight in his ability to take the next step, but by all accounts, Jones is progressing well, and the team believes he will be ready for the start of the 2026 season. At RotoBaller's dynasty TE4, Warren is one of the few tight ends in the league in position to lead his team in targets and should remain a true fantasy difference-maker for the foreseeable future.