The Denver Broncos are coming off their first playoff appearance since winning the Super Bowl in 2015. Now, Sean Payton and his staff are focused on the NFL Draft, building around Bo Nix and giving him the weapons to take the next step.
While wide receiver Courtland Sutton remains a key target, his contract situation clouds his long-term future in Denver. Similarly, tight end Adam Trautman is entering the final year of his deal, making the position an area of focus for the Broncos in the upcoming offseason.
Enter Tyler Warren, a physically dominant tight end from Penn State who has quickly risen up draft boards. Analysts believe Warren could be the perfect fit for the Broncos’ offense, giving Nix a massive, reliable target in the middle of the field while also improving Denver’s blocking.
Broncos Predicted To Draft Tyler Warren
Warren is everything NFL teams look for in a modern tight end. At 6’6” and 256 pounds, he has the size to overwhelm defenders in contested catch situations while also showcasing the athleticism to be a weapon with the ball in his hands.
His transition from high school quarterback to elite collegiate tight end speaks to his football intelligence and adaptability, two traits that make him an exciting NFL prospect.
After limited action in his first two college seasons, Warren broke out in 2023, recording 34 receptions, 422 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors. Warren’s performance in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl against Ole Miss, where he posted a career-high 127 receiving yards, solidified his status as one of the top tight ends in the 2025 class.
Warren’s ability to high-point the ball in traffic, his elite contested catch rate (61.9%), and his improved hands (dropping from a 15% drop rate in 2023 to just 2.8% in 2024) make him a QB’s dream target. Additionally, he’s hard to stop after the catch, having forced 30 missed tackles in 2024, which is a skill set that should translate well to the NFL.
According to Pro Football Network’s most recent 7-round NFL mock draft, the Broncos are predicted to draft Warren in the first round at No. 20 overall.
Denver’s offense is desperate for a player like Warren. His ability to contribute as a blocker and pass catcher makes him an ideal fit for Payton’s vision, giving Nix a security blanket who can move the chains and make plays in the red zone.
Should the Broncos Pull the Trigger?
With Sutton and Trautman entering contract years in 2025, Denver’s front office must think long term. Warren is the type of player who could become a go-to playmaker in the right offense, and pairing him with Nix could give the Broncos one of the more exciting young offensive duos in the NFL.
Although Denver has other key areas to address, the opportunity to draft the top tight end in the 2025 class may be too good to pass up. If the Broncos want to maximize Nix’s potential and take the offense to the next level, adding Warren could be the move that helps get them there.