Colts claim 2019 3rd-round pick Kahale Warring off waivers

It looks like the Indianapolis Colts will carry four tight ends on their 53-man roster. Indy claimed former Texans and Patriots tight end Kahale Warring off waivers on Saturday.

Warring, a former third-round pick out of San Diego State, has battled injury issues throughout his short NFL career. However, during the 2019 pre-draft process Warring was receiving significant buzz due to his athletic profile and field-stretching potential as a vertical weapon in the passing game.

Warring only has three receptions for 35 yards in live regular season action, and his first ever catch came last season at Lucas Oil Stadium against the Colts.

The former San Diego State Aztec certainly checks the boxes GM Chris Ballard looks for in prospects. Warring is above the 75th percentile for tight ends in height, 40-yard dash, vertical jump, broad jump, 20-yard shuttle, and 60-yard shuttle, per MockDraftable.com. Grading out as a well above-average prospect for his position, Warring could be a diamond in the rough stashed on Indianapolis’ roster throughout the 2021-22 season.

Mo Alie-Cox is an unrestricted free agent after this season, and The Athletic’s Stephen Holder mentioned early in the offseason there’s been some buzz internally this could be Jack Doyle’s final year before retirement. If that’s the case, Warring could form a new-age tight end duo for Indianapolis alongside 2021 fourth-round pick Kylen Granson. Warring is an underwhelming blocker, but he’s still very raw as an overall prospect.

Only 24-years-old, Warring is a nice flier for the Colts to bet on. Now, this changes how their roster will look. With four tight ends now expected to be on the 53-man squad, which position has one less player?

We’ll find out throughout this weekend as the massive cut-downs around the NFL officially begin.