Tight End class in draft

[Elmgrovegnome]

View: https://youtu.be/13Xd8R2VkZA?si=WOmHyfNKMjW1BxpK

This video lists the many aspects of football that a tight end needs to learn. I guess a tight end whose offensive coordinator called ‘the smartest football player he has ever coached’, and had amazing production last year, would be a logical choice to be a first round tight end.

 

[Memphis Ram]

2025 NFL Draft: Is Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland TE1? Breaking down 2 fun prospects at a challenging position

Warren is arguably the bigger name, and Penn State deployed him in a number of different ways. But don't undersell Loveland's potential here either.

sports.yahoo.com

I would even dare to say that there isn’t any projection needed of Loveland being a better blocker than Warren; I think he is already at that level and I would give him the overall edge. There are real flashes of length, athleticism, and strength (with room to add more) that show that he can hold up as he steps up to the NFL. Loveland shows he can sustain his blocks at a more consistent level than Warren, and on more difficult assignments, too. This isn’t to say that Warren is a slouch, but more that Loveland showed rapid improvement in the area and shows a lot of promise that there is even more to tap into as he develops.

It’s not all perfect with Loveland. There are times when he might get out of whack with his hand placement or have a misstep. But Michigan was comfortable running behind Loveland, sometimes right after he was the receiver of an explosive play (sometimes two).

 

[Memphis Ram]

2025 NFL Draft: Is Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland TE1? Breaking down 2 fun prospects at a challenging position

Warren is arguably the bigger name, and Penn State deployed him in a number of different ways. But don't undersell Loveland's potential here either.

sports.yahoo.com

I would even dare to say that there isn’t any projection needed of Loveland being a better blocker than Warren; I think he is already at that level and I would give him the overall edge. There are real flashes of length, athleticism, and strength (with room to add more) that show that he can hold up as he steps up to the NFL. Loveland shows he can sustain his blocks at a more consistent level than Warren, and on more difficult assignments, too. This isn’t to say that Warren is a slouch, but more that Loveland showed rapid improvement in the area and shows a lot of promise that there is even more to tap into as he develops.

It’s not all perfect with Loveland. There are times when he might get out of whack with his hand placement or have a misstep. But Michigan was comfortable running behind Loveland, sometimes right after he was the receiver of an explosive play (sometimes two).

more from Nate Tice

Questions and potential fits for Tyler Warren​

Despite Warren aligning across the formation in college, there has been plenty of discussion and a projection of Warren being used more as a “traditional” tight end in the NFL. That is, a true “Y” tight end who can align next to a tackle and hold his own at the point of attack against edge defenders as a blocker on one play, and then stay on the field to run a full route tree on the next play. Tight ends are difficult to project and just as difficult to find. Finding a “Y” tight end who can also be a legitimate threat in a passing game is as hard to find as El Dorado.

After studying Warren, I came out with more questions about his blocking ability than answers. There is toughness and the athleticism to keep his feet and stay balanced on contact. But Warren’s length and lower body strength, or lack thereof (Warren’s arms measured below 32 inches at the scouting combine), also shows up. And that’s against college athletes and not the bigger, faster and longer defenders in the NFL.

Warren wasn’t asked to block defensive ends often in college. And when he was asked to block at the point of attack, it was on zone concepts where he received help from an offensive tackle. A lot of his blocking clips, even the ones from in-line alignments, are against defensive backs. This isn’t to say that Warren can’t do it at the next level, but Penn State’s offensive coaches seemed cognizant to make sure Warren was off the ball, on the move or used as an insert blocker on linebackers. Those are the plays where Warren shines as a blocker since he gets to work on the move against smaller defenders where his length can be mitigated.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

more from Nate Tice

Questions and potential fits for Tyler Warren​

Despite Warren aligning across the formation in college, there has been plenty of discussion and a projection of Warren being used more as a “traditional” tight end in the NFL. That is, a true “Y” tight end who can align next to a tackle and hold his own at the point of attack against edge defenders as a blocker on one play, and then stay on the field to run a full route tree on the next play. Tight ends are difficult to project and just as difficult to find. Finding a “Y” tight end who can also be a legitimate threat in a passing game is as hard to find as El Dorado.

After studying Warren, I came out with more questions about his blocking ability than answers. There is toughness and the athleticism to keep his feet and stay balanced on contact. But Warren’s length and lower body strength, or lack thereof (Warren’s arms measured below 32 inches at the scouting combine), also shows up. And that’s against college athletes and not the bigger, faster and longer defenders in the NFL.

Warren wasn’t asked to block defensive ends often in college. And when he was asked to block at the point of attack, it was on zone concepts where he received help from an offensive tackle. A lot of his blocking clips, even the ones from in-line alignments, are against defensive backs. This isn’t to say that Warren can’t do it at the next level, but Penn State’s offensive coaches seemed cognizant to make sure Warren was off the ball, on the move or used as an insert blocker on linebackers. Those are the plays where Warren shines as a blocker since he gets to work on the move against smaller defenders where his length can be mitigated.

So

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

more from Nate Tice

Questions and potential fits for Tyler Warren​

Despite Warren aligning across the formation in college, there has been plenty of discussion and a projection of Warren being used more as a “traditional” tight end in the NFL. That is, a true “Y” tight end who can align next to a tackle and hold his own at the point of attack against edge defenders as a blocker on one play, and then stay on the field to run a full route tree on the next play. Tight ends are difficult to project and just as difficult to find. Finding a “Y” tight end who can also be a legitimate threat in a passing game is as hard to find as El Dorado.

After studying Warren, I came out with more questions about his blocking ability than answers. There is toughness and the athleticism to keep his feet and stay balanced on contact. But Warren’s length and lower body strength, or lack thereof (Warren’s arms measured below 32 inches at the scouting combine), also shows up. And that’s against college athletes and not the bigger, faster and longer defenders in the NFL.

Warren wasn’t asked to block defensive ends often in college. And when he was asked to block at the point of attack, it was on zone concepts where he received help from an offensive tackle. A lot of his blocking clips, even the ones from in-line alignments, are against defensive backs. This isn’t to say that Warren can’t do it at the next level, but Penn State’s offensive coaches seemed cognizant to make sure Warren was off the ball, on the move or used as an insert blocker on linebackers. Those are the plays where Warren shines as a blocker since he gets to work on the move against smaller defenders where his length can be mitigated.

Baumgartner says Warren will be a better blocker than Loveland. Because he’s got the build for it.

But it’s funny that you think Conyers could do what Warren did, but Warren can’t do what countless other tight ends had to do when they went to the NFL….get better at blocking.

If you are so hung up on wanting a blocking tight end then there are other tight ends in this draft that already block better than Warren and Loveland both.

 

[So Ram]

So

SO- it’s sort of a pipe dream.If he starts falling in the draft. The TE class is deep & that spot can get filled w/ the 90 or 101 picks

 

[WestCoastRam]

2025 NFL Draft: Is Tyler Warren or Colston Loveland TE1? Breaking down 2 fun prospects at a challenging position

Warren is arguably the bigger name, and Penn State deployed him in a number of different ways. But don't undersell Loveland's potential here either.

sports.yahoo.com

I would even dare to say that there isn’t any projection needed of Loveland being a better blocker than Warren; I think he is already at that level and I would give him the overall edge. There are real flashes of length, athleticism, and strength (with room to add more) that show that he can hold up as he steps up to the NFL. Loveland shows he can sustain his blocks at a more consistent level than Warren, and on more difficult assignments, too. This isn’t to say that Warren is a slouch, but more that Loveland showed rapid improvement in the area and shows a lot of promise that there is even more to tap into as he develops.

It’s not all perfect with Loveland. There are times when he might get out of whack with his hand placement or have a misstep. But Michigan was comfortable running behind Loveland, sometimes right after he was the receiver of an explosive play (sometimes two).

Hard to argue with all the work Nate puts into these guys.

Probably elevates Loveland above Warren for me now.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Baumgartner says Warren will be a better blocker than Loveland. Because he’s got the build for it.

But it’s funny that you think Conyers could do what Warren did, but Warren can’t do what countless other tight ends had to do when they went to the NFL….get better at blocking.

If you are so hung up on wanting a blocking tight end then there are other tight ends in this draft that already block better than Warren and Loveland both.

Please stop telling me what I think because you are usually wrong.

I just posted a link and excerpts of Nate Tice's article. Someone you previously claimed to have accurate evaluations. Argue with him.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

Please stop telling me what I think because you are usually wrong.

I just posted a link and excerpts of Nate Tice's article. Someone you previously claimed to have accurate evaluations. Argue with him.

Usually he does. Not always. I don’t take anyone’s opinions as gospel. For example he likes Riley Leonard. I don’t.

 

[WestCoastRam]

Usually he does. Not always. I don’t take anyone’s opinions as gospel. For example he likes Riley Leonard. I don’t.

I dig Nate a lot but he's no football jesus. Struggle a bit with him at Yahoo (301 with McDonald) as while I like McDonald he was always better playing third fiddle to Robinson and Jori and Nate and him riff a bit too much and let the dialogue drag at times.

Nate with May was a fantastic listen. Miss that pairing.

 

[Memphis Ram]

View: https://x.com/themicknartin/status/1735164209644581008

 

[OldSchool]

View: https://x.com/themicknartin/status/1735164209644581008

TE1

 

[RamFan503]

TE1

You could very well be right. Sure wouldn’t surprise me.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I dig Nate a lot but he's no football jesus. Struggle a bit with him at Yahoo (301 with McDonald) as while I like McDonald he was always better playing third fiddle to Robinson and Jori and Nate and him riff a bit too much and let the dialogue drag at times.

Nate with May was a fantastic listen. Miss that pairing.

Lately I noticed that Nate Tice gets too excited about draft talk. I like when he has Dane Brugler on, but I want to hear more of Brugler’s takes, but a lot of the time it ends up being Nate getting carried away and giving too much of his own evals and talking less about Dane’s thoughts.

The Read Optional podcast did a very good show on cornerbacks. I thought it was more insightful than most others and they had some interesting comments on a few later round CBs.

 

[fearsomefour]

Outside of Higbee have the Rams drafted a really good TE in the modern era?

 

[PhillyRam]

Outside of Higbee have the Rams drafted a really good TE in the modern era?

Troy Drayton out of Penn State, back in the 90's. However they traded him around the same time they traded Bettis.

 

[jrry32]

Am I the only one that would rather have Loveland than Warren?

I'd be happy with either, but if both were on the board, I'd take Warren. He's a great fit for our offense. And he was absurdly dominant in contested catch situations. Ball winner. No doubting the size, athleticism, physicality, or YAC skills either.

 

[Memphis Ram]

Troy Drayton out of Penn State, back in the 90's. However they traded him around the same time they traded Bettis.

I really liked Ernie Conwell when he was healthy.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I'd be happy with either, but if both were on the board, I'd take Warren. He's a great fit for our offense. And he was absurdly dominant in contested catch situations. Ball winner. No doubting the size, athleticism, physicality, or YAC skills either.

I agree. He was the focus of the Penn State passing game and still had crazy production.

And before someone says it again, I understand that TEs don’t usually get covered by teams best Corners. But, it’s the same for all tight ends. So, thats a moot point.

 

[OldSchool]

I'd be happy with either, but if both were on the board, I'd take Warren. He's a great fit for our offense. And he was absurdly dominant in contested catch situations. Ball winner. No doubting the size, athleticism, physicality, or YAC skills either.

I too would go for either just think I'd edge Loveland a little ahead. Still think one from the next group is more likely