Is Warren or Loveland TE1

[Pass2Run]

Great article on the topic of top TEs, which I still think would be a smart option to upgrade the offense. My top target is Tyler Warren..
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Tight ends generally take time to develop. So how do NFL teams gauge when to spend a pick on a player who might have a timeline to productivity that looks more like an MLB draft pick?

It’s a steep learning curve to learn to be an NFL tight end, even for the most talented of players. This year’s draft class features a fun group of tight end prospects with different flavors and projected tier levels. Including two who seem to be considered in a tier of their own at the top.

With apologies to the other talented players at the position this year, Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland have emerged as the consensus top two players among tight end prospects. What do Warren and Loveland provide at such a demanding position? And are they worth taking on Day 1 despite the possibility of low early returns?

I dove deep on both players to determine who I would give the final nod to on the big board and what each player is bringing to the NFL.

What does Tyler Warren bring to the table?​

The first thing that comes up when watching Warren is locating him on any given play. Warren lined up across the formation at Penn State; he had 281 snaps from the slot in 2024 and 30 snaps as a wildcat quarterback or on sneak plays (finishing with 189 rushing yards). Warren even had a touchdown after being aligned as the de facto center on a play where he made an incredible catch to haul the double-pass in for the score.

Tyler Warren's best catch may have been on this absolute fever dream of a play from Penn State.

Just your typical double pass to the center with a full team shift before the snap. With Warren's TD catch being the cherry on top.

LINK: https://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/articl...ects-at-a-challenging-position-191024073.html

 

[Rayman70]

Yes and maybe

 

[Pass2Run]

In 2024, Warren had 103 receptions for 1,233 yards and 8 TDs.

Plus 4 more TDs as a wildcat QB or even from center...

 

[Kingofholland]

I still like the TE room here even though Ferg had a down year and I just hate the idea of taking a TE on day 1.

 

[Pass2Run]

I still like the TE room here even though Ferg had a down year and I just hate the idea of taking a TE on day 1.

I understand. These two are just better players than the ones we have.

I consider it a possible BPA rather than a need. I seriously think Warren in particular will likely be a star.

He's not a bad blocker and can even play some slot, which would give you options and versatility from a player.

I understand what you're saying. I just think this is maybe the best way to upgrade the offense. JMO

 

[timb2]

Josh Simon

 

[Creeper]

I still like the TE room here even though Ferg had a down year and I just hate the idea of taking a TE on day 1.

Me too but Warren may have the biggest impact on the Cowboys offense this year if they draft him. I know the RB room sucks, and the WRs are not great. But I think TMac and Golden would have minimal impact in their rookie seasons. I think the RB situation depends entirely on the OL. I think Warren can do more from the TE spot than anyone else. But I'd have to see who else is available at 12 before I pull the trigger on him. The Cowboys have so many needs they almost can't lose with whoever they pick.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I know the stopwatch scouts won’t understand it, but there’s more to athleticism than just running in a straight line. Warren has outstanding body control and ball skills for a player his size. That’s what helps make him special.

I’m not advocating for taking Warren at 12, but in a vacuum he seems to fit the profile of a classic Y tight end we’ve historically tended to prefer.

 

[CWR]

I understand. These two are just better players than the ones we have.

I consider it a possible BPA rather than a need. I seriously think Warren in particular will likely be a star.

He's not a bad blocker and can even play some slot, which would give you options and versatility from a player.

I understand what you're saying. I just think this is maybe the best way to upgrade the offense. JMO

He would be the #2 target on the team. WR2 might be a bigger need but it's not like going with an elite TE prospect couldn't be just as effective.

 

[Flamma]

I understand. These two are just better players than the ones we have.

I consider it a possible BPA rather than a need. I seriously think Warren in particular will likely be a star.

He's not a bad blocker and can even play some slot, which would give you options and versatility from a player.

I understand what you're saying. I just think this is maybe the best way to upgrade the offense. JMO

We don't know that they would be an upgrade. We haven't seen them play in the NFL yet. Just that he's good against players that will never be in the NFL.

Wasn't Kyle Pitts supposed to be this great TE? That's what everyone said. Picked 4th overall by Atlanta. Ferguson got around 100 less yards than him with a dozen more catches in 3 less games with Cooper Rush throwing to him most of last season.

TE is not a critical need for the Cowboys. The only way I see it is like you said, BPA when it gets to us. The only player left worth taking. I'd still rather trade back if it came to that.

 

[Pass2Run]

Me too but Warren may have the biggest impact on the Cowboys offense this year if they draft him. I know the RB room sucks, and the WRs are not great. But I think TMac and Golden would have minimal impact in their rookie seasons. I think the RB situation depends entirely on the OL. I think Warren can do more from the TE spot than anyone else. But I'd have to see who else is available at 12 before I pull the trigger on him. The Cowboys have so many needs they almost can't lose with whoever they pick.

I disagree about the can't lose part.. They can lose if they don't hit on the pick, which is why I think Warren would be smart. Plus, he can play the slot some too. Or like a full back, which may make a guy like Luepke expendable and free up another roster spot for another player.

It doesn't mean Schoon and Ferg can't play. They would still get reps since Shotty likes the 12 and 13 formations.

Obviously, I agree with the rest of your assessment.

 

[cowboyec]

warren is a play-maker.
id rather go in another direction at 12...but the board could fall in his favor.
the te i'd love is notre dame's mitch evans...if we choose to wait.

 

[Pass2Run]

Josh Simon

My man, Timb2, always posting intriguing players.

Dude is like a WR playing TE. Nice player..

 

[Pass2Run]

We don't know that they would be an upgrade. We haven't seen them play in the NFL yet. Just that he's good against players that will never be in the NFL.

Wasn't Kyle Pitts supposed to be this great TE? That's what everyone said. Picked 4th overall by Atlanta. Ferguson got around 100 less yards than him with a dozen more catches in 3 less games with Cooper Rush throwing to him most of last season.

TE is not a critical need for the Cowboys. The only way I see it is like you said, BPA when it gets to us. The only player left worth taking. I'd still rather trade back if it came to that.

I get your argument. On some levels I agree.

I just think RB can wait till after the first, and after Tet, imo, the drop off at WR isn't all that significant from 1-2. WR class is pretty solidly stocked with 2nd, 3rd, 4th round guys. So you can wait or always sign a vet. Of course, the $ value is at other positions. I'm talking about making your team better without factoring the cap.

 

[Flamma]

I get your argument. On some levels I agree.

I just think RB can wait till after the first, and after Tet, imo, the drop off at WR isn't all that significant from 1-2. WR class is pretty solidly stocked with 2nd, 3rd, 4th round guys. So you can wait or always sign a vet. Of course, the $ value is at other positions. I'm talking about making your team better without factoring the cap.

I'm hoping they draft OL and DL on the first two days. Solidify those positions before you play around with TEs and RBs. We're not winning a SB this year, the skilled positions can wait. Our goofy front office insists on anything meaningful has to come from the draft alone.

The Cowboys don't trade up on day 1 or 2, so WR Tet is not going to be there. Any team in the league that likes Tet and needs a WR knows to jump in front of the Cowboys. No one did it when Lamb fell but the Cowboys weren't expected to draft a WR. That's not the case this year.

 

[John813]

I know the stopwatch scouts won’t understand it, but there’s more to athleticism than just running in a straight line. Warren has outstanding body control and ball skills for a player his size. That’s what helps make him special.

I’m not advocating for taking Warren at 12, but in a vacuum he seems to fit the profile of a classic Y tight end we’ve historically tended to prefer.

I agree.

Gronk wasn't a fast TE. He just knew how to get open and make insane catches. Warren is not only a natural at catching, he can contort his body like a WR can to make some circus catches.

But he does have enough athletics to not only be an inline TE but can play on the slot. Tape shows the guy is athletic enough IMO to give NFL defenses fits once he gets a year or to under his belt.

Not every TE has to be in the Brock Bowers build to make an impact.

Depending on how the draft unwinds, I rather take Warren over a huge project at DE.
Or a running back.
Can't say I'm 100% sold on a WR like Golden or Tet over him either.

 

[Aven8]

I’m tempted to take Warren at 12. Look at what LaPorta did for Detroit. The dude is amazing. I remember Mike was all about this kid as well.

 

[Pass2Run]

I’m tempted to take Warren at 12. Look at what LaPorta did for Detroit. The dude is amazing. I remember Mike was all about this kid as well.

Right.

Or George Kittle or Dallas Goedert or Travis Kelce, etcetera etcetera.

All the teams we can't beat lately. I know it goes further than the TE, but it's one element that can give this team a sorely needed boost.

 

[Pass2Run]

warren is a play-maker.
id rather go in another direction at 12...but the board could fall in his favor.
the te i'd love is notre dame's mitch evans...if we choose to wait.

Evans would be an upgrade too..just a matter of when.

 

[Flamma]

Ferguson is a good TE. The Cowboys should not be messing around at TE with pick 12. Not if they're serious.