Chicago Bears NFL Draft Target: Tyler Warren

Tanner Pearson - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 21 hours ago

Before the start of free agency, all the talk around the Chicago Bears was what offensive lineman they would take with their first-round selection and how many they would take in the first few rounds. With three of the top 60 picks in this year's draft, the Bears positioned themselves to not only make some noise but had an opportunity to load up on offensive line talent in what is viewed as one of the best offensive line-heavy drafts in a long time.

Instead, the Bears took a different approach and have instead spent most of their offseason money by adding to their offensive line. That all started with trading for Jonah Jackson and Joe Thuney, followed by adding the top free agent center in Drew Dalman. That takes care of the Bears interior part of their offensive line and with Braxton Jones and Darnell Wright on the outside it does appear that the Bears offensive line is set heading into the season.

Even with those additions, don't expect Ryan Poles to stop there as many feel he will still target offensive line help/depth in the early rounds of the NFL draft. However, that may not happen in the first round as the Bears suddenly have plenty of options to use their no. 10 pick on. One of those options could be adding Ashton Jeanty to the running back room should he fall that far, but from all accounts, it appears that he will be gone before the Bears can pick.

If that is the case, Chicago still has plenty of options, and it could become a situation where the Bears focus on the best player available rather than specific positional needs. Penn State tight end Tyler Warren is an intriguing option for the Bears at No. 10 as he would bring a new element to their offense that they haven't seen.

Make no mistake about it: Cole Kmet is the Bears' starting tight end, and barring any injuries, he will be their tight end for the foreseeable future. However, with Mercedes Lewis no longer with the team and the decision to cut Gerald Everett one year into his two-year deal, the Bears do lack some depth in the tight end room, which is where Warren could fit.

Warren is one of those players that many view as the unicorn of this draft. Although he may be listed as a tight end, he can theoretically line up anywhere on the field. That alone makes him a matchup nightmare and someone defensive coaches will have to account for all the time. Not only would he be able to exist with Kmet in this lineup, but Warren would make an impact whether he gets the ball or not.

That alone would change this offense and take it to the next level, which is just what Ben Johnson and his staff want to see happen in 2025. At 6-6 and 260 pounds, Warren is not only massive for a tight end but also extremely athletic, which is the main reason why he became such a weapon for the Penn State offense in 2024.

After combining for just 187 yards on 15 catches in his first two seasons, Warren showed his potential during his junior season, finishing the season with 34 receptions for 422 yards and seven scores. That was just the appetizer for what was to come, as Warren had an incredible senior season and one of the best overall seasons by a college-level tight end in quite some time.

Not only did his production increase in the passing game, but he nearly tripled his career output in yards, leading the team with 104 receptions for 1233 yards and eight scores. Warren also went on to add 218 yards and four scores on the ground while averaging nearly 8.5 yards per carry. That alone is something most tight ends can't offer, so to see him provide that with the success he had is what makes him such a threat in any offense.

There is no question that the Bears are putting all their chips in the middle with Caleb Williams this season, which is a big reason why they did what they did in free agency. Now comes the challenging task of rounding out the roster the best way possible to make this team as dynamic as possible, and Warren is one of those players who can do that for you.

Not only would Chicago be adding a player capable of being a massive threat in the passing game, but he also has shown the ability to carry the ball in the backfield and could be used as a fullback. However, he would be used, should he be around at No. 10; the Bears need to take a hard look at him in the first round, as he would be just what this franchise needs.