It has been a less than ideal freshman and sophomore NFL campaign for Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young. The former first overall selection in 2023 struggled mightily in the early portion of the season and was benched for NFL veteran Andy Dalton before finding his footing in the second-half of the season.
The coaching decision panned out, as Young’s short-lived absence from the field prompted better play upon his return. Now, as a young Carolina squad looks to continue building, their No. 8 overall selection may give the youngster a huge boost.
Highly Touted TE en Route to Carolina?
Tyler Warren is by far the highest-rated tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft. With Warren rumored to be a top-15 selection, his services may be needed by several top-picking squads. PFSN’s latest 7-Round 2025 NFL Mock Draft sees him land in Carolina.
Jacob Infante of PFSN sees perfect harmony between the Mechanicsville, Va., native and the Panthers ahead of draft night, writing, “The Carolina Panthers gained momentum late in the 2024 season, but they’re still a few pieces away from contending for a playoff spot. Going true BPA would be beneficial for them.”
“A second-team CSN All-American, Tyler Warren had a productive year at Penn State. He’s a big-bodied tight end with strong hands, solid ball skills, and the ability to make an every-down impact.”
Tyler Warren’s 2024 Outburst Leads to Draft Stock Surge and Potential Fit With Carolina
In 2024, Warren was named the John Mackey Award winner, given to college football’s top tight end. Along with that, Warren received honors as a first-team All-American, first-team All-Big Ten, and finished seventh in Heisman Trophy voting.
The 257-pounder played all over the field for offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki’s scheme. The Swiss Army knife took snaps under center, lined up in the slot, out wide, and rushed the ball 26 times.
A Nittany Lion for all four years, Warren and company re-established Penn State as a powerhouse in college football. With 25 total TDs across his Penn State tenure, his evolution hit its peak when he willed Penn State to the College Football Playoff semifinals in 2024.
From the Big Ten Championship and beyond, Warren totaled 255 receiving yards, 29 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. While he and the Nittany Lions were bounced by Notre Dame before reaching the ultimate goal, his season was one to behold.
For the Panthers, their presumed TE1 would currently be Tommy Tremble, leaving some talent to be desired at the position. Adding Warren to play alongside Chuba Hubbard, Xavier Legette, and a handful of other young talent could make Young and the Panthers a contender in years to come.
Tune in to see where Warren lands as the 2025 NFL Draft kicks off from Green Bay, Wis., at 8 p.m. EDT, Thursday, April 24.
