Penn State and Boise State face off in the Fiesta Bowl today, and NFL fans should tune in to see tight end Tyler Warren. The redshirt senior, widely considered a first-round pick, broke out in a big way, recording 92 receptions for 1,095 yards and six touchdowns and another 23 carries for 197 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He is 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.

Penn State tight end Tyler Warren could draw interest from the Chargers and Chiefs draft

Based on his raw attributes alone, Warren has the potential to be one of the top five tight ends in football. At 6-foot-2 and weighing 220 pounds, Warren plays like an offensive lineman in the trenches but moves like a running back. As seen in the video above, Penn State uses Tyler Warren at Wildcat, and the tight end can cause guys to miss in the open field and even threaten teams as a passer. Basically, he is everything Sean Payton thought 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 spike the ball, trick safety techniques at the catch point and manipulate his body to stay in play on the sideline. In short, he has skills that can’t be taught and should make an immediate impact in the NFL.

Even though he’s a great talent, there’s a reason he probably won’t be a top 15 pick. Most of his success in college came from the fact that he was bigger, stronger and faster than everyone else. As far as its actual foundations are concerned, there is still some work to be done. He’s not the best route runner and doesn’t make as many tackles as you’d expect from a guy his size. Fortunately, these are fixable flaws and the right coaching staff should get the most out of Penn State’s product.

Possible fits

His relatively raw nature means Tyler Warren will likely fall to the second half of the first round, meaning a playoff 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 also letting go of several bad contracts. With the foundation for success now in place, Los Angeles can compete for the title in 2025.

The Chargers don’t have a single reliable tight end on the roster, which isn’t Harbaugh’s style. The former Michigan man believes in winning in the trenches, and elite tight ends can make a difference in the running and passing games. Warren’s dual-threat nature makes him the 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, need to find a suitable replacement for tight end Travis Kelce. While the future Hall of Famer is still a reliable player, he is no longer the unstoppable threat he once was and is much closer to the end of his career than the beginning. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if he hangs up his cleats after 2024, and Kansas City doesn’t have an heir apparent on the roster.

Noah Gray is a player with decent depth, but he can’t 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. Combining Warren with young receivers Xavier Worthy and Rashee Rice ensures that star quarterback Patrick Mahomes will have reliable offensive weapons for years to come.

Main Photo: Vincent Carchietta – USA Today Sports