5 Key Differences: Is Penn State's Tyler Warren The Next Brock Bowers In The 2025 NFL Draft?

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The college football world is always searching for the next generational talent, and in the tight end position, the bar was set impossibly high by former Georgia star Brock Bowers. Now a first-round pick and a dynamic weapon for the Las Vegas Raiders, Bowers’ collegiate dominance has created a new benchmark for all tight end prospects. The question on every NFL scout and fan's mind this December 2025 is simple: who is next?

The consensus answer increasingly points to Penn State’s towering star, Tyler Warren. As the premier tight end prospect for the upcoming 2025 NFL Draft, Warren is drawing direct and intense comparisons to Bowers. While both players redefine the position, their paths, physical profiles, and play styles reveal fascinating differences that will determine if Warren can truly match the hype and become a top-15 pick like his predecessor.

The Ultimate Tight End Profiles: Brock Bowers vs. Tyler Warren

Before diving into the comparison, it is crucial to understand the distinct collegiate careers and physical traits of these two elite athletes. Brock Bowers has already transitioned to the professional level, while Tyler Warren is peaking as the top prospect in his class.

Brock Bowers: Georgia Bulldogs & Las Vegas Raiders

  • Position: Tight End (TE)
  • College: University of Georgia (UGA)
  • NFL Team: Las Vegas Raiders (Drafted 13th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft)
  • Height/Weight: 6'3" / 243 lbs
  • College Career Highlights: Unanimous All-American (2023), First-Team All-American (2022), two-time National Champion. Holds UGA tight end records for single-season receptions (56), receiving yards (882), and touchdowns (13).
  • Key Skill: Explosive YAC (Yards After Catch) ability, elite route-running, and versatility to line up anywhere on the field (in-line, slot, or out wide).

Tyler Warren: Penn State Nittany Lions & 2025 NFL Draft Prospect

  • Position: Tight End (TE)
  • College: Penn State University (PSU)
  • NFL Team: Projected top Tight End for the 2025 NFL Draft.
  • Height/Weight: 6'6" / 256 lbs
  • College Career Highlights: Tied for fourth all-time among Penn State tight ends with 11 career touchdown receptions. Considered the most well-rounded tight end prospect in the 2025 class.
  • Key Skill: Exceptional size and strength combined with high-level athleticism, strong hands, and a willingness to expand an NFL playbook with his versatility.

The Tale of the Tape: 5 Key Differences Shaping the 2025 Draft

The comparison between Warren and Bowers is less about who is "better" and more about two different archetypes of an elite modern tight end. Brock Bowers was a position-redefining player for the 2024 class, while Tyler Warren is the clear standout for the 2025 class. Their differences highlight what NFL teams prioritize at the position.

1. Size and Build: The 'Jumbo Athlete' vs. The 'Hybrid Weapon'

The most immediate and stark difference is their physical profile. Tyler Warren is the prototype of the traditional, large tight end, standing at 6'6" and 256 pounds. This size makes him a dominant force in blocking situations and a massive target in the red zone. Brock Bowers, at 6'3" and 243 pounds, is relatively undersized for a traditional in-line tight end. Bowers' smaller stature, however, is what made him a nightmare matchup; he moved like a giant wide receiver, earning him the title of a "hybrid weapon" who excelled in the slot and out wide. Warren offers the rare combination of Bowers' athletic upside with the size of a true offensive lineman.

2. The Role in the Offense: Receiving Specialist vs. All-Around TE

At Georgia, Brock Bowers was the undisputed focal point of the passing attack, often leading the team in targets, receptions, and receiving yards. His game was built on elite receiving ability, making him a true difference-maker in the passing game. Warren, while a strong pass-catcher, has been described as a more "well-rounded" prospect for the 2025 Draft. He excels as a blocker and is an integral part of the run game for the Penn State Nittany Lions, a trait that appeals immensely to NFL teams looking for a three-down player. This distinction suggests Warren may be a more complete, traditional tight end, whereas Bowers was a more specialized receiving threat.

3. Yards After Catch (YAC) Ability and Explosiveness

Brock Bowers’ signature trait in college was his elite explosiveness and ability to turn a short catch into a massive gain. His YAC ability was arguably the best in college football, regardless of position, allowing him to redefine the tight end role in the modern game. While Tyler Warren is a high-level athlete, his YAC is more grounded in power and breaking tackles than Bowers' pure speed and agility in the open field. Analysts have suggested that Warren will generate more "big plays" down the field, while Bowers will have more total receptions due to his role as a consistent chain-mover.

Tyler Warren's 2024 Season: Matching Bowers' Rookie Pace?

The most compelling, and perhaps unfair, comparison is the statistical pace set by Warren in his final collegiate season against Bowers' rookie year in the NFL. Early in the 2024 season, Warren’s production was so high that analysts were directly comparing his early college stats to Bowers' early pro stats.

  • The Early Hype: Through his first two professional games with the Las Vegas Raiders, Brock Bowers had an impressive start.
  • Warren’s Response: Penn State's Tyler Warren nearly matched Bowers' early production in his first two games of the 2024 college season, catching 11 of 16 targets for 155 yards.

This early-season performance fueled the narrative that Warren is the next elite tight end, proving he can shoulder the offensive load similar to how Bowers did at Georgia and is expected to do for the Raiders. For dynasty fantasy football enthusiasts and NFL scouts, this production is a massive indicator of Warren’s upside.

The 2025 NFL Draft Outlook: Can Warren Go Top-15?

Brock Bowers was a rare talent who broke the mold, becoming the first tight end taken in the top 15 of the NFL Draft since T.J. Hockenson in 2019.

Tyler Warren's draft stock is currently soaring. He is widely projected to be the first tight end off the board in the 2025 NFL Draft. His combination of elite size, blocking prowess, and proven receiving ability makes him a safer, more well-rounded prospect than Bowers, who was sometimes criticized for his lack of prototypical tight end size. The fact that he is being compared to Bowers at all speaks volumes about his athletic ceiling and potential impact at the next level. If Warren can maintain his high level of production throughout the remainder of his college season, he has a strong chance to follow Bowers’ path and hear his name called within the top 20 picks, solidifying the tight end position as one of the most valuable in college football and the NFL.

5 Key Differences: Is Penn State's Tyler Warren the Next Brock Bowers in the 2025 NFL Draft?
tyler warren vs brock bowers
tyler warren vs brock bowers

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