Penn State and Boise State face off in the Fiesta Bowl today, and NFL fans should tune in to watch tight end Tyler Warren. Widely projected to be a first-round pick, the redshirt Senior broke out in a major way, recording 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns while adding another 23 carries for 197 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He’s one of the most unique prospects in the NFL Draft, and teams like the Chargers and Chiefs could target him when the 2025 NFL Draft finally arrives.
Tyler Warren, Penn State Tight End, Could Draw Chargers, Chiefs Draft Interest
Based on his raw traits alone, Warren has the potential to be a top-five tight end in football. Listed at 6′-6″ and 249 pounds, Warren plays like an offensive lineman in the trenches but moves like a running back. As evidenced in the video above, Penn State uses Tyler Warren in the Wildcat, and the tight end can make guys miss in the open field and even threaten teams as a passer. Essentially, he’s everything Sean Payton believed Taysom Hill could one day become.
Warren is more than just a gadget player. In addition to his impressive work in the trenches, he knows how to use his size in contested situations. Blessed with soft hands and elite body control, Warren can high point the football, outmuscle safeties at the catch point, and manipulate his body to stay in bounds on the sideline. In short, he has skills you cannot teach and should make an immediate impact in the NFL.
While he is a great talent, there’s a reason he probably won’t be a top-15 pick. Most of his wins in college come from being bigger, stronger, and faster than everyone else. In terms of his actual fundamentals, there’s some work to do be done. He’s not the best route runner and doesn’t break as many tackles as you’d expect from a guy of his size. Fortunately, these are fixable flaws and the right coaching staff should bring out the best in the Penn State product.
Possible Fits
His relatively unpolished nature means Tyler Warren will probably fall to the back half of the first round, which means a playoff-bound team like the Los Angeles Chargers or Kansas City Chiefs could select the Penn State product with their first-round pick. Head coach Jim Harbaugh inherited a mess and has done a remarkable job of getting this team to the playoffs while shedding multiple bad contracts. With the foundation for success now in place, Los Angeles can go for a title in 2025.
The Chargers do not have a single reliable tight end on the roster, which is not the Harbaugh way. The former Michigan man believes in winning in the trenches, and elite tight ends can make a difference in the running and passing game. Warren’s dual-threat nature makes him a perfect choice for the job, and run-loving offensive coordinator Greg Roman should welcome the opportunity to design Wildcat plays for Warren. With him and second-round pick Ladd McConkey, Justin Herbert should have all the weapons he needs to lead this team to a title.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, must find a proper replacement for tight end Travis Kelce. While the future Hall of Famer is still a reliable player, he’s not the unstoppable threat he once was and is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. Nobody would be surprised if he hangs up the cleats after 2024, and Kansas City has no heir to his throne on the roster.
Noah Gray is an adequate depth player, but he cannot fill Kelce’s shoes. Tyler Warren almost certainly won’t be as dominant as Kelce at his peak, but the Penn State product can develop into one of the league’s more reliable all-around tight ends. Pairing Warren with young receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice will ensure that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes has reliable offensive weapons for years to come.
Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports
