Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is seen as one of the top players at his position in this year’s draft class, and many pundits view him as the best TE option. As such, Warren joined college teammate and fellow first-round prospect Abdul Carter in sitting out the Nittany Lions’ Pro Day on Friday, with Tony Pauline of Sportskeeda.com reporting Warren will instead work out for a handful of interested clubs prior to the draft.
Pauline refers to Warren as an “acquired taste” and says not every team has him as the premier TE in the 2025 pool. At least one club views last year’s John Mackey Award winner as the fourth-best tight end in the class, and draftniks like Pauline and ESPN’s Matt Miller consider him the second-best prospect behind Michigan’s Colston Loveland. NFL Media’s Daniel Jeremiah and ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr., meanwhile, place Warren at the top of the TE hierarchy.
One way or another, Warren should hear his name called in Round 1. Pauline had previously reported that the Jets are “infatuated” with the soon-to-be 23-year-old, and he had also noted the Colts have significant interest. Unsurprisingly, then, both New York and Indianapolis – which hold the No. 7 and No. 14 overall picks, respectively – plan to bring Warren in for a private workout.
The Saints (No. 9 overall), Bears (No. 10), Chargers (No. 23), and Rams (No. 26) are also on Warren’s itinerary, per Pauline. None of those clubs have the same glaring TE need as the Jets and Colts, but with the top of the Bolts’ TE depth chart comprised of Will Dissly and new acquisition Tyler Conklin – who recently signed a modest one-year accord – a high-ceiling addition would make sense there. Likewise, the Rams’ Tyler Higbee is eligible for free agency next year and is entering his age-32 campaign, which makes both Los Angeles outfits logical Warren suitors.
It would be somewhat surprising to see Warren fall beyond Indianapolis’ No. 14 pick, because even clubs not named in Pauline’s report (like the Cowboys and their No. 12 selection) profile as legitimate destinations. Encouraged by Brock Bowers’ stunning rookie performance for the Raiders in 2024, clubs with immediate holes to fill at the TE spot could look to Warren as both a short- and long-term fix. The Colts coveted Bowers last season – he was nabbed by Las Vegas two picks before Indianapolis went on the clock – and they may not allow their preferred tight end prospect in 2025 to get away if he is still on the board.
In his final collegiate season, Warren – whose ability to get open underneath and create yards after the catch remind evaluators like Miller (subscription required) of Bowers – posted 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight scores. As a Wildcat threat, he added four rushing TDs and one passing TD for good measure.
If the top two offensive linemen in the draft are gone before #7, I could see the Jets taking him.
Detroit rocks w/ their TE. I could the Jets nabbing him as well.
Lions TE GREAT!
Caps lock and an exclamation point. Are you Yahoo Serious?
” If the top two offensive linemen in the draft are gone before (their pick) I can see (NFL team) picking (player)….”
That statement probably goes for many of the teams in the later part of the top 10 to 15 as their seems to be a big demand for those linemen.
He’s fit well with the Broncos imo
Maybe. But he shouldn’t be available at 20. That’s why they signed Engram, to provide some draft flexibility.
Maybe he falls to late teens early 20s. I don’t exactly know who’s the Brock bowers of this draft many analysts have at least two TEs going first round mainly Loveland and Warren. It’s a toss up
There is no Brock Bowers in this year’s draft…
I meant as in first TE off the board not in abilities lol
I like Engram. Great TE and supposed to be a standup man as well. He was highly respected in Jax.
I like engram too but two heads are better than one right?
Also colts need a TE threat too. As well as Seahawks
And Warren doesn’t fit in Dallas. They have much more pressing needs.
Colts are taking him at #14 if he is still available. Jets could use him but o-line needs to be their top priority. Chicago maybe but I think they need o-line upgrades more then a flashy TE right now. Chargers at 22, not going to happen he will be gone by 14. Rams at 26 is to late to draft him.
Saints is an interesting landing spot. Picking at #9 they will be in a prime position to take him. They need a weapon who can catch the ball, Warren is that guy. I did a mock draft last night and had the Saints taking Dart at #9 but if NO is still confidently starting Carr this year Warren could be an excellent addition on a team in need of playmakers.
I agree with those that think the Bears trade down if they do not see the O linemen they want at 10, and likely take someone like Warren or an RB, but Rbs are really a dime a dozen and if you can get another TE playmaker opposite of Kmet you do it to help out Williams in his second year..
Jets drafting him would only start to make up for missing on Bowers last draft