Tyler Warren Warrants A First-Round Pick

Penn State tight end (TE) Tyler Warren stands out, and others are seeing it too.

NFL.com, CBS Sports, NBC Sports Philadelphia, Fox Sports, 33rd Team, and many other notable draft platforms have anointed him with first-round grades (nflmockdraftdatabase).

Let’s dive into the evaluation:

Background

Warren was a three-star prospect and attended Atlee High School in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Warren enrolled at Penn State in August 2020 (247Sports).

Warren’s Stats:

In 2023, Warren played in 13 games, contributing 34 receptions, 422 yards, and seven touchdowns.

Warren played in all 16 games this past year and significantly improved his numbers. He recorded 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and eight touchdowns.

Warren is in the 82nd percentile for height and 57th percentile for weight (per NFLDraftBuzz.com).

#44 Tyler Warren 6-foot-6, 257 pounds 
Rajvir Bal’s 2025 NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)
Projected by 66.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of March 28, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film reviewed: Illinois, Ohio State, Boise State (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

Jack of All Trades

Warren is an all-around talent. Blocking, receiving, running-and even passing; he does it all.

These types of TEs are the best athletes as they almost always find a place to stick in the NFL.

Warren can serve in many different roles if the right offensive coordinator can get their hands on him.

His versatility unquestionably bumps him up several spots on my big board.

Passion Player

Warren’s intense love for the game of football is clear on film. He gives 100%, no matter what his assignment is, and plays all the way through the whistle.

It’s fun to watch.

Warren’s will to win is evident, and I suspect this quality was a big reason why Penn State enjoyed its success throughout the fall.

While his straight-line speed is simply okay, his relentless effort allows him to play faster than the stopwatch suggests, often outpacing defenders.

Good Body Movement

Warren’s body and frame set him apart on film as well.

His lengthy arms and impressive catch radius allow him to successfully make plays even when defenders are wrapped all over him.

He also has rare control of his movements, with excellent balance and field vision. On plays where he has to chip and release (initially block a player before running a route), he does a good job of hitting with his shoulder and transitioning fluidly into his routes.

Setbacks?

He was limited as a deep threat on film, doing most of his work in the intermediate areas of the field. It limits his ceiling but could also have something to do with the scheming at Happy Valley.

Warren struggles with speed.

He’s more so steady as his route running is fluid but lacks the sharpness to separate against top-tier defenders consistently.

Ten Adjectives

Versatile. Tenacious. Dependable. Physical. High-motor. Balanced. Smart. Fluid. Static. Gritty.

NFL Crystal Ball

New York Jets

New Orleans Saints

Indianapolis Colts

Pro Comp: TE Zach Ertz (Eagles, Cardinals, Commanders)

Role On Team: Long-term TE1 with Pro Bowl upside

Final Thoughts

Warren’s versatility, toughness, and high football IQ make him one of the most complete tight-end prospects in recent memory, and he is sure to impress in the NFL.

Rajvir Bal is a high school student from the Virginia area. He grew up a rabid Washington Redskins fan, attending more than 30 games, and has enjoyed the team’s high points and low points throughout his life. He plays varsity football and basketball. Rajvir has taken an interest in the NFL Draft since middle school when his team picked Montez Sweat and Dwayne Haskins in the first round. His favorite NFL player ever flips between Rob Gronkowski and Brett Favre, and his favorite athlete is LeBron James. He has been writing his own scouting reports since 2020, and is excited for the opportunities FirstRoundMock provides.