The buzz around the San Francisco 49ers potentially using the 11th overall pick on Penn State tight end Tyler Warren has recently cooled. With more pressing needs to address, such as rebuilding the defensive line and upgrading the offensive line, selecting a tight end in the first round seems unlikely.
While Warren is undoubtedly an impressive playmaker, spending a high draft pick on a tight end is now seen as a luxury the 49ers can't afford.
Despite this, Steve Serby still projects Warren to the 49ers in his third mock draft for the New York Post. He envisions a dynamic tight end duo of George Kittle and Warren—one that could be precisely what quarterback Brock Purdy needs to succeed in his fourth NFL season.
"Double trouble with George Kittle to aid and abet Brock Purdy," Serby wrote. "Though defensive coordinator Robert Saleh, pounding the table for help, might have to be restrained in the war room."
Warren spoke highly of Kittle at the NFL Scouting Combine when asked about the possibility of joining the 49ers.
"He does everything well," Warren said. "I think that would be a great opportunity. Obviously, one of the best tight ends to play football and to be able to learn from him and kind of pick up on some stuff that he does would obviously be a great opportunity for me in being able to learn from him."
Warren added, "[The 49ers] use tight ends in a great way. They use a lot of tight ends in a lot of different ways. I think that would be a fun scheme to be able to be a part of."
While tight end is certainly a position of need for the 49ers, it likely ranks lower on their list of priorities entering the draft. This makes it seem unlikely they would use a first-round pick on one, especially with other positions requiring more immediate attention. However, if Warren is still available at No. 11, he could be hard for head coach Kyle Shanahan to pass on.
Warren had a standout 2024 season, recording 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns, per Sports Reference. He also added 26 carries for 218 yards and four rushing touchdowns, demonstrating his versatility and creating significant matchup problems for opposing defenses.
Recently, Pro Football Focus (PFF) listed Warren as the worst first-round fit for the 49ers, citing the team's other pressing needs as the reason.
"If given the chance, Kyle Shanahan could undoubtedly find a way to utilize both George Kittle and Tyler Warren effectively," PFF contributor Dalton Wasserman wrote. "However, with needs on both lines and in the secondary, San Francisco isn't in a position to make a luxury pick at tight end, especially with Kittle still playing at an elite level."