FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Penn State tight end Tyler Warren. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Tyler Warren
Tyler Warren (TE – Penn State)
6-foot-6 | 260 Pounds
Background
Tyler Warren was a high-school quarterback who redshirted, then functioned as something of an H-Back the following year, catching five passes and scoring two goal-line touchdowns as a rusher. He started three out of 12 games the next year, catching 10 passes and three touchdowns before taking over a starting role in 2023 (34-422-7, 12.5). Broke out this season and had an outstanding 2024 campaign with a 104-1,233-8 receiving line and 26-218-4 rushing line en route to winning the John Mackey award.
Positives
Warren’s development trajectory looks excellent, with a monster 2024 campaign. One of the most well-built tight ends in this year’s class, with the frame to play the inline “Y” tight end spot. Usage in school has been very diverse, lining up as an inline tight end, H-Back, slot or wide receiver and occasionally as the team’s wildcat quarterback. Functional strength as a blocker is impressive, with good power on contact to jolt defenders; can seal the edge when he blocks down from motion.
Can get out in space and block opponents on concepts like stretches and tosses to seal the edge. Holds the point of attack effectively, with a strong lower body. Ran a variety of routes to different levels of the field. Getting him the ball was a priority. Despite not being the fastest, has some snap and nuance at the stem to uncover on over routes, flattening out nicely. His big, strong frame makes him a weapon in contested-catch situations, using his size to shield defenders and high-pointing throws effectively (career 63.6% contested catch rate), per Pro Football Focus.
Significantly cut down on drops this year. Looks comfortable catching away from his frame. Powerful runner after the catch, with a no-nonsense approach to punish defenders, but with enough vision and wiggle to make the occasional opponent miss as well. The team also let him carry the ball on designed runs, especially as a wildcat quarterback near the goal line or in short-yardage situations.
Negatives
Not the fastest or most explosive tight end; does line up as more of a wide receiver on a relatively high number of snaps, but could struggle to create consistent separation against man coverage, with a lot of his production coming against zones or on manufactured touches.
Warren doesn’t always show the most nastiness and aggression through the whistle as a blocker. Can sometimes struggle to engage with technique in space, with occasional hand placement/balance issues to improve. Has relatively little experience in pass protection outside of 2023 (47 snaps then, 97 total), per PFF. Had some issues with drops before this season (six vs. 34 catches in 2023).
Summary
A big, smooth and versatile tight end who has the functional strength to execute different blocking assignments and who stuffed the stat sheet as one of the focal points of Penn State’s offense this year.
Running a variety of different routes from different alignments and showing the ability to create on underneath throws or come down with contested catches, Warren looks like a reliable option with the skills to play either inline or as a flex option at the next level. Looks likely to be one of the first two tight ends off the board, potentially as high as the first round.
Projection: Round 1/Round 2
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