This Prospect Might Be ‘Wonderful,’ But Patriots Should Avoid Temptation

Tyler Warren would be a great addition for Drake Maye’s Patriots.

“You certainly watch Tyler (Warren) and his playstyle and his demeanor, and having met with him at the combine, I think he’s a wonderful prospect,” Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel told reporters Monday, per a team-provided video.

Warren is a do-everything tight end who lined up just about everywhere for Penn State — he quite literally snapped the ball on a play he scored a touchdown. The 6-foot-6, 261-pounder is viewed as the top tight end in the loaded class. He’s also considered a top-10 prospect by just about every draft analyst, a standout pass-catcher in a weaker receiver class.

It will be a challenge for the Patriots to avoid temptation when it comes to Warren, especially if Abdul Carter and Travis Hunter are off the board at fourth overall. However, avoid temptation is exactly what they should do.

The Patriots can channel their inner George Costanza: It’s not you, it’s me.

Because the reality is New England isn’t in position to draft lesser-valued positions like tight end or running back at No. 4. Despite the fact running back Ashton Jeanty and Warren, again, represent two of the top 10 prospects in the class.

The Patriots have bigger needs. They don’t have a starting caliber left tackle while tight end might be their most solidified position group, headlined by reliable veterans Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper. Henry and Hooper won’t be around forever, but the point stands.

Passing on a first-round left tackle only to helplessly watch a run at the position would be borderline unforgivable.

Additionally, there will be legitimate tight end talents available on Day 2 with Miami’s Elijah Arroyo, LSU’s Mason Taylor, Texas’ Gunnar Helm, Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. and other potential fits like Nebraska’s Thomas Fidone II and Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson. All offer their own traits.

“Bring me as many good tight ends as you have out there and we’ll find them something to do,” Vrabel said.

Vrabel and company will be able to add a good tight end, it doesn’t need to be at fourth overall. If that wasn’t the case, maybe it would be different. But the Patriots aren’t in a position to pass up on bigger needs for lesser-valued spots, especially when their depth chart already looks the way it does.

You’re damn right it’s you, George.