Day 1 of the Reese’s Senior Bowl is in the books and one of the big takeaways for NFL.com’s Eric Edholm was the performance of the tight end group. This, of course, is a big position of need for the Indianapolis Colts.
While Tyler Warren–who isn’t participating in the Senior Bowl–is a very popular mock draft selection for the Colts, and it’s easy to understand why, there’s certainly no guarantee he’s going to be available at pick 14, as Daniel Jeremiah’s recent work illustrates.
So while Warren is a fan favorite, the Colts may have to address their tight end need elsewhere. Two names that stood out during Tuesday’s Senior Bowl practices were Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor.
Arroyo had a breakout year as a pass-catcher in 2024, catching 35-of-47 passes for 590 yards at a whopping 16.9 yards per catch with seven touchdowns.
Among all tight ends in 2024, Arroyo ranked second in yards per catch and first in YAC per catch.
“It looked like his athleticism and speed improved as the 2024 season wore on, and Arroyo validated that on Tuesday, looking fluid and fast in one-on-one drills when matched up against linebackers and cornerbacks,” wrote draft analyst Lance Zierlein. “He ran routes with good leverage and frequently created separation at the top of his route.”
Taylor, meanwhile, has been a steady presence in the LSU offense for three years. During that span, he’s caught 71% of his 181 targets at 10.1 yards per catch with six touchdowns.
He’s also graded out as an above average blocker in his career as well by PFF’s metrics.
“(Taylor) ran great routes and made several eye-opening catches — including a one-hander on a ball from Alabama QB Jalen Milroe that was outside Taylor’s frame,” wrote Edholm. “Taylor also stood out in the blocking sessions as he tries to prove he’s an all-around tight end.”
The Colts, as GM Chris Ballard said during his season-ending press conference, have find a greater pass catching presence in 2025. There is also something to be said for the unpredictability that an offense gains when the tight end position has versatility and can impact both the run and passing games at a high level.
For more on the tight ends participating at this year’s Senior Bowl, click here.
