https://player.anyclip.com/anyclip-widget/lre-widget/prod/v1/src/lre.jsNew York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner took to social media this past week to share his opinion on what his team should do at pick number seven in April’s NFL Draft.
He has a history of voicing his thoughts about who his team should be bringing in. Last year around this same time, Gardner was campaigning for the Jets to bring in another star receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson.
He mentioned signing Tee Higgins, Mike Evans, or Calvin Ridley, as well as a trading for Brandon Aiyuk.
This year, “LeSauce GM” (self-proclaimed nickname) is thinking about adding to the offense again. The All-Pro corner posted on X that he “wouldn’t be mad at all” if the team drafted Penn State tight end Tyler Warren with the seventh pick.
I was thinking DT, but bro right here comp
I wouldn’t be mad at all lol https://t.co/5BOxfnSSfs
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) February 15, 2025
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Drafting a tight end makes sense for the Jets, but whether they think they need to address it in round one is the question. Their starting tight end from the last three years, Tyler Conklin, is now an unrestricted free agent.
Conklin has provided a veteran presence in the tight end room, and has flashed at times. But, the team as a whole has made big changes already, including a new general manager, head coach, and starting quarterback for 2025. It remains to be seen if they think Conklin is a part of their plans going forward.
While Conklin will at the very least test the open market, Warren offers a dynamic replacement. He is regarded as the top tight end prospect in this year’s draft, and ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. has him ranked number ten overall on his big board.
“Warren is super versatile,” Kiper Jr. said. “He can be used as a traditional in-line tight end, at H-back, at fullback, out of the slot, or lined up out wide. He’s a reliable pass catcher, and once the ball is in his hands he can break free.”
Warren, a 6-6, 260-pound senior, has a diverse skillet that can help transform an offense. With the Jets currently having a lot of questions with their team, specifically on offense, this could give them a sense of direction.
Tight ends don’t typically get picked very high on draft night, but the talent Warren has would be one of the exceptions. In a game this past year against USC, Warren caught 17 passes for 224 yards and a score, which tied the record for the most catches in a game by a tight end in FBS history.
In total in 2024, Warren racked up 104 catches for 1,233 yards and 8 touchdowns. And, on the ground he added 26 carries for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns.
If the Jets want to reimagine what their offense can be, Warren would be a heck of a place to start. Here is a snippet from NFL.com’s prospect profile for him:
He imprints on games with alignment versatility, allowing opportunities for play-callers to stress the defense. Despite his size, he’s quick enough to beat man coverage underneath and plays with good recognition of holes in coverage. He has the ball skills and toughness to win contested catches and withstand punishing contact. He’s very capable as a lead/move blocker but will need a little improvement at sustaining blocks when blocking in-line. Warren can access all three levels of the field.