After a historic redshirt senior season that cemented him as the greatest tight end in Penn State history, Tyler Warren has declared for the 2025 NFL draft. The Mackey Award winner who caught 104 passes for 1,233 yards and finished the year with eight receiving, four rushing, and one passing touchdown is expected to be a first-round pick and one of the most highly-coveted offensive weapons available this spring. Almost every team will want Warren, but where should Warren want to go?
It’s early in the process and a lot can change as NFL teams decide on their future head coaches and play-callers, but just days after the 6-foot-6 257-pound tight end declared for the draft, these three teams look to be the most ideal fits.
If Anthony Richardson is ever going to succeed in the NFL, he’s going to need weapons, and a tight end is the quarterback’s best friend. Head coach Shane Steichen has had success with talented pass-catching tight ends in the past, utilizing Dallas Goedert in Philadelphia with another mobile QB, Jalen Hurts.
While Warren would get plenty of targets right away in Indy, this fit is still better for the Colts than for Warren. If Richardson doesn’t pan out, and never figures out how to become a more accurate passer, Warren will be limited and could get caught in the middle of another QB search and regime change heading into his second year.
Jim Harbaugh would absolutely love a hard-working, physical tight end like Warren becoming the focal point of his passing game, and so would Justin Herbert. Herbert’s highly efficient season went up in flames with four interceptions in the wild card round against Houston, but a lack of reliable pass-catching options was a big reason why.
On top of being a dominant pass-catcher, who finished 22nd in the country in yards per route run and 12th among tight ends in yards after the catch per reception, Warren is a great blocking in the run game. That versatility will appeal to Harbaugh and his long-time play-caller Greg Roman.
The only coach who would be more excited than Harbaugh to get his hands on a player like Warren is Sean Payton. Warren played nearly every position on Penn State’s offense in 2024 and Payton might see his next Taysom Hill. No, Warren can’t quite play quarterback as well as Hill, but he can run the option game in the red zone and short-yardage situations, and Payton might be the only coach in the NFL who would give him that opportunity.
For Warren to maximize his ability and versatility, he should hope to fall into the 20s and head to Denver. Even in the traditional passing game, Warren would be great for the development of Bo Nix, who needs players who can create with the ball in their hands to be at his best.