NFL Network’s Lance Zeirlein has released his first mock draft of the offseason, and Panthers fans might be surprised by the player he projected. Currently holding the eighth-overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Carolina went 5-12 despite improved play by quarterback Bryce Young down the stretch. Surrounded by a dramatically improved offensive line and promising young playmakers, the Alabama product looked like his collegiate self but struggled to win games thanks to a defense that ranked at or near the bottom of most defensive statistics.
Despite the need on the defensive side of the ball, Zeirlein has the Panthers addressing the offense with the first pick of his mock draft. According to the analyst, the Panthers will choose Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the eighth overall selection.
“Bryce Young’s turnaround has given life to the Panthers, but he still needs more help. Warren can become the perfect safety blanket for the third-year quarterback.”
Panthers Select Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren In Latest Mock Draft
Tyler Warren the Player
Before discussing the fit, we must first discuss Tyler Warren the football player. Unofficially checking in at 6′-6″ and 249 pounds, it’s easy to see why teams could fall in love with the Penn State senior. Based on athletic traits alone, Warren has the potential to become one of the game’s best players. Warren excels across the formation, whether in the slot, as an in-line tight end, or even working out of the Wildcat. He’s smooth in the open field, routinely making defenders miss and picking up additional yards after the catch.
The tight end is more than just an open-field threat, however, as he knows how to use his massive frame to win in contested situations. He has the size and athleticism to outleap just about any defender out there and the soft hands to maintain possession while taking hard hits. He has elite physical traits and the football knowledge to make the most of his natural gifts. If everything pans out, he could be a top-five tight end in this league.
However, while he is a great prospect, he’s not perfect and could be a questionable choice for the Panthers in this mock draft. Most of Warren’s collegiate wins came from being bigger, faster, and stronger than the average college defender. He won’t have that dominant physical advantage in the NFL, which means he’ll need to improve his route running at the next level. Additionally, most of his ability after the catch comes from making guys miss rather than bulldozing defenders. He’s strong, but a player of his size should break more tackles when hit.
Is He the Right Choice?
Tyler Warren is a good player, but it’s hard to justify this selection in the Panthers mock draft. Supporting a young quarterback like Bryce Young is always a good thing, but there are better ways to do it. Warren has too many flaws to be an elite prospect, and it’s hard to justify taking a good-but-not-great tight end with a top-10 pick. If Carolina doesn’t believe in Ja’Tavion Sanders’ long-term potential, they should select someone like Elijah Arroyo or Gunnar Helm later in the draft. This will free up the top-10 pick to go to a better player at a more important position.
Zeirlein’s mock draft has the Saints selecting edge defender Mykel Williams one pick after the Panthers are on the clock. Frankly, Carolina could use an edge defender more than a tight end, and Williams is probably the better prospect even before accounting for team needs. The Panthers should use their top pick to select a pass rusher and find complementary pieces to support Young later in the draft.
Main Photo: Nathan Ray Seebeck – Imagn Images
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