2025 Rookie Profile: Tyler Warren (TE) Penn State
Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie reports looks at the top tight end in the class, 2025 rookie profile: Tyler Warren from Penn State.
College Resume
Tyler Warren emerged as a standout tight end during his time at Penn State, culminating in a dominant 2024 season that solidified his status as one of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. A former high school quarterback from Mechanicsville, Virginia, Warren transitioned to tight end at the collegiate level, showcasing his versatility and athleticism.
After limited action early in his career—playing behind NFL talents like Pat Freiermuth, Brenton Strange, and Theo Johnson—he broke out as a redshirt senior in 2024, earning the John Mackey Award as the nation’s top tight end, First-Team All-American honors, and Big Ten Tight End of the Year.
Notable 2024 Season: 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, 8 receiving touchdowns; 26 carries, 218 yards, 4 rushing scores.
Career Highlights: Set Penn State tight end records for total touchdowns and touchdown receptions; finished second in FBS receptions and seventh in receiving yards in 2024.
Warren’s 2024 campaign was a revelation, as Penn State leaned on him as their primary offensive weapon. His rare combination of receiving production and wildcat rushing ability made him a matchup nightmare, often lining up in-line, in the slot, out wide, or even under center. His late breakout (age 21.9) reflects both his development and the constraints of a Penn State offense that historically funneled targets to a single pass-catcher.
College Stats
Games Played: 56
Receptions: 158
Receiving Yards: 1,839
Receiving Touchdowns: 18
Yards Per Catch: 11.6
Rushing Stats: 31 carries, 235 yards, 6 rushing touchdowns.
Measurables
Height: 6-6
Weight: 257 pounds
Arm Length: 31¾ inches
Hand Size: 9½ inches
40-yard Dash: 4.65-4.70 seconds (based on film speed and scouting projections)
Key Traits: Strong burst off the line, good acceleration after the catch, exceptional body control, and a large catch radius despite shorter arms.
Warren’s frame is prototypical for an NFL tight end, with the size to hold up in-line and the agility to flex out wide. His high school quarterback background enhances his football IQ, evident in his ability to find soft spots in zone coverage and adjust routes on the fly.
NFL Team Fits
Warren’s versatility and production make him an appealing fit for a variety of NFL offensive schemes, particularly those that value tight ends as multi-dimensional weapons. Here are three ideal landing spots.
New York Jets (1.08) – The Jets brought in Justin Fields to act as a bridge quarterback. Should they choose to bypass that position in the draft, surrounding Fields with pass-catching weapons will be a top priority. New York also lost Tyler Conklin in free agency. That would assure Warren a Week 1 starting role.
.@minakimes thinks Tyler Warren from Penn State is an ideal fit for the Jets and new HC Aaron Glenn ✍️ pic.twitter.com/1CdDNDC7nD
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) February 14, 2025
Indianapolis Colts (1.14) – Shane Steichen is on the hot seat. The Colts also have next to nothing at the tight end position. Warren would be a massive upgrade as an outlet receiver for Anthony Richardson (or Daniel Jones). Also, the Colts had a formal meeting with Warren at the NFL Combine.
Seattle Seahawks (1.18) – Warren is expected to be long gone by the time the Seahawks are on the clock. However, if he somehow slides down to 18, Warren would instantly be the best tight end on the roster and mercifully put an end to the club’s frustrating rotation.
NFL Comparison
George Kittle (San Francisco 49ers)
Warren’s playing style evokes George Kittle due to their shared stocky, compact builds (Warren at 6-6, 260 pounds; Kittle at 6-4”, 250) and relentless competitive spirit. Like Kittle, Warren runs with power after the catch, shrugging off tacklers with a low center of gravity and a high motor. Both players bring a throwback mentality. Warren models his game after Jeremy Shockey, while Kittle channels a similar old-school grit.
Tyler Warren is worthy of the George Kittle comparisons🗣️ pic.twitter.com/gRy5qldcem
— PFF College (@PFF_College) March 8, 2025
However, Kittle entered the NFL with superior vertical speed and blocking polish, areas where Warren still needs refinement. If Warren can develop his inline blocking (currently a work in progress) and test well athletically, he could approach Kittle’s all-around impact.
Key Similarities
•After-catch tenacity (Warren forced 30 broken tackles in 2024; Kittle is a YAC machine).
•Versatility to line up anywhere (Warren’s wildcat snaps mirror Kittle’s H-back usage).
•High football IQ and leadership intangibles.
Key Differences
•Kittle’s elite speed (4.52 40-yard dash) outpaces Warren’s projected 4.65-4.70.
•Warren’s receiving dominance in college (104 catches) exceeds Kittle’s (48 career college receptions), but his blocking lags behind Kittle’s Day 1 proficiency.
Fantasy Outlook
Tyler Warren enters the NFL as a high-floor, high-ceiling prospect with immediate fantasy relevance. His 2024 college stats signal a player ready to contribute as a rookie. His 2.9 yards per route run and 30 broken tackles highlight his ability to turn short passes into chunk plays, a trait that translates to the pros.
While he may not stretch the field like Kyle Pitts or boast Brock Bowers’ multi-year dominance, Warren’s size, hands, and toughness make him a plug-and-play TE1 candidate by Year 2, with TE2 value as a rookie depending on landing spot. In dynasty drafts, expect him to go in the middle of Round 1.
Other Rookie Profiles
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