Rob Gronkowski? Antonio Gates? Travis Kelce? Shannon Sharpe?
At least when it comes to the jersey he wears, former Penn State tight end Tyler Warren told the media at the NFL Combine that his number and playing style pays homage to Pro Football Hall of Fame fullback John Riggins.
Tyler Warren says he tries as a player to be unselfish, & wears #44 cause when he was young his dad put on former #Jets John Riggins film & said this is how I want you to run the ball
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) February 27, 2025
"Whether I'm catching 15 passes in a game or having 100 run block reps, I'm gonna do either of… pic.twitter.com/4mQ4hCHWPJ
A do-everything tight end at Penn State, Warren showed daily for the Nittany Lions that grittiness and toughness that the former New York and Washington standout Riggins played with, breaking out for 1,233 yards receiving and eight touchdowns while rushing for another 218 yards and four touchdowns in 2024. Whether lining up at tight end or as a wildcat quarterback, all eyes were on Warren every play. And he still got the job done in a significant way.
Why Tyler Warren is a must-draft prospect in the top 10
In a draft where there are several can't-miss prospects at the top of the board along with quarterback-needy teams clouding up the order of selections, Warren could be a sleeper and a steal for one lucky team.
Look no further than just last year's draft. If not for an electrifying Rookie of the Year season from Jayden Daniels that included a Commanders playoff run, we could be talking about Raiders tight end Brock Bowers as the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year. Bowers finished second in the voting after breaking NFL records for most receptions by a rookie tight end (112), most receiving yards by a rookie tight end (1,194), and most receptions by a rookie.
More 2025 NFL Draft coverage on Tyler Warren:
Will Warren make the same immediate impact that Bowers did? Only time will tell. But it will likely be a mistake to let Warren slip to the same No. 13 slot where the Raiders took Bowers in the 2024 NFL Draft.
You only get one chance to make a splash in the first round, and there's no better way to do that than by picking a versatile, playmaking tight end like Warren, who plays with a fullback mentality.