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The 2025 NFL draft features an incredibly deep tight end class. The position features a lot of hyper-athletic mismatch weapons. Teams looking for offensive playmakers should invest heavily in the position this year. The class features a lot of traditional inline tight ends for teams needing to bolster their base offense. The group of prospects is diverse and features a lot of hidden talent on day three of the draft.
The Cleveland Browns desperately need a tight end to step up under David Njoku. Njoku proved that he will play through injuries to help the Browns win. Last season, Njoku missed quite a bit of the season after suffering major injuries. The Browns had no replacement for Njoku, and the offense seemed lost whenever they put a tight end on the field. The Browns required a backup tight end last year, but none saved the day. This year, the Browns must be proactive by addressing the position in the draft. The team has a lot of good options to choose from across days two and three.
Here are the the top 20 tight ends and H-backs in the class.
Colston Loveland is a mismatch threat. The 6-foot-5, 248 tight end might run the smoothest routes in the draft. Loveland catches the ball well and is hard to tackle. The 21-year-old must get stronger to compete through contact and at the catch point. Loveland had a productive career at Michigan, helping them to a National Championship. Loveland is a day-one receiving threat and could develop into a top tight end in the league. He’s one of the top 15 players in the draft.
Tyler Warren is one of the most physical runners in the class. He’s 6-foot-5, 256-pounds of brute strength, speed, and determination. Warren runs like an old-school fullback, he’s impossible to bring down. Warren was the offense for Penn State as he led them in the College Football Playoffs. He tries to block, but lacks the proper technique to contribute. Warren is a skillful playmaker with a rare combination of size, speed, and strength. Warren is one of the best 15 players in the draft.
Elijah Arroyo is the last athletic marvel in the tight end class. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound offensive weapon has incredible deep speed. Arroyo can run away from cornerbacks and safeties. He’s a deep threat on the line of scrimmage. Arroyo lacks the strength to play in the trenches, but he tries a lot to block. Arroyo is a natural receiver, but injuries kept him off the field for most of his collegiate career. He only has one season of production. The 22-year-old is one of the best athletes in the draft class, but needs time to develop. Arroyo is a mismatch threat and would be a great lottery ticket in the second round.
Mason Taylor plays tight end like a seasoned veteran. The 20-year-old might have the best inline tape in the class. The tight end blocks like a lineman in the pass and the run game. Taylor is a powerful 6-foot-4, 250-pounds. Taylor is a solid receiver, an uncreative route runner, and a strong pass catcher. He has all the makings of a solid safety blanket in the NFL. Taylor is a high-floor player, he can play in the trenches on day one of the season. Taylor is worth a second-round pick for teams looking to bolster their tight end room.
Terrance Ferguson is an athletic tight end with a robust skill set. Ferguson is a promising blocker and can play attached to the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end is quick and fast. He can flex outside as a receiving threat and is creative after the catch. Ferguson has a great foundation to develop into a three-down player. He could be a very effective starting tight end. Ferguson is a solid option for teams in the second round of the draft.
Gunnar Helm is an inline tight end prospect. The 6-foot-5, 241-pound tight end was a big safety blanket for the University of Texas. Helm is an average athlete and a skillful player. He will need to clean up the mental errors that haunt his game. He must become stronger to become an effective blocker. He can develop into a three-down tight end in the NFL. Helm is a high-floor prospect and is worthy of a third-round pick.
Harold Fannin Jr. was one of the most electric playmakers in college football. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Bowling Green product doesn’t have the ideal size or length to play tight end in the NFL. Fannin is an average linear athlete with good agility. His wiggle helps him break free in the passing game. He catches the ball well and is creative after the catch. Fannin is strong for his size but weak for a tight end. I’m not sure Fannin will become a traditional tight end in the NFL. He is an awkward offensive weapon. Teams must find a way to utilize him in their offense. Fannin is a good lottery ticket in the third round.
C.J. Dippre is one of the most underrated prospects in the NFL draft. Dippre is a good, but not great, athlete with a solid power profile. Dippre is a good blocker but lacks a killer instinct. He was an underutilized target in Alabama’s passing game. He is a fine route runner at the intermediate and underneath portions of the field. Dippre is creative after the catch and always fights for extra yards. Dippre is one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft, with potential in the passing game. He could develop into a starting tight end in the NFL. Dippre would be a great addition on day three of the draft.
Mitchell Evans is a hard-working, old-school tight end. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Notre Dame product is a polished tight end. He’s a good blocker and an above-average target in the receiving game. Evans is a strong but relatively average athlete. He has great hands and is a reliable route-runner. Evans has a balanced skill set to develop into a three-down tight end. Evans is a safe bet in the fourth round.
Jake Briningstool is a slender receiving threat. The 6-foot-5, 234-pound Clemson product must add a lot more mass and strength in the NFL. He’s a deft route-runner and a willing blocker. Briningstool is great at the catch point. He lacks the suddenness and strength to be a reliable threat after the catch. He’ll take years to develop into a competent starting-caliber tight end. Briningstool is an excellent project for NFL teams looking to juice up their passing attack. He’s a great lottery pick at the start of day three of the NFL draft.
Oronde Gadsden II was one of the best receiving threats in college football. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end played closer to 230-pounds at Syracuse. He doesn’t have much experience playing inline, but he’s a weapon in the slot and outside. He’s a deep threat and works well over the middle. Gadsden isn’t creative as a ball carrier and lacks the strength to break tackles consistently. He must dedicate himself to adding more mass and strength to play in the NFL. He lost 6 pounds between the Combine and the Pro Day. Gadsden is a dynamic weapon, but he could struggle to find a role in the NFL. Teams will need to design touches for him as he develops his strength. Gadsden is a good lottery ticket on the third day of the draft.
Luke Lachey is a smooth route runner from the University of Iowa. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end is an experienced playmaker. He’s an average athlete who lacks the strength and acceleration to thrive in the NFL. He’s a willing blocker, but unable to generate push in the run game. Lachey is a good receiving threat with strong hands. The 23-year-old could develop into a serviceable tight end if he bulks up. Lachey is a solid option in the middle of day three.
Bryson Nesbit was a solid receiving threat for North Carolina. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound receiver was a big-bodied deep threat. Nesbit uses his size to box out defenders and has strong hands to catch through contact. Nesbit isn’t a strong player, and he’s an average athlete, although he tested horribly at the combine and his pro day. He is a good receiving threat who could develop into an adequate blocker. The 23-year-old is a good option for teams looking to stash a third tight end. He’s worthy of a middle to late day three pick.
Joshua Simon was a dynamic weapon for South Carolina. Simon is 6-foot-4, 241-pounds. He is an explosive athlete but lacks the size and strength to project as an NFL starter. Simon is a good receiving threat with strong hands. He’s a willing blocker, but lacks the technique and strength to be an average blocker. Simon is a talented receiving option who can create after the catch. It’ll be hard for him to develop into a traditional inline role, but he could develop into a better receiving threat.
Rivaldo Fairweather is a raw prospect from Auburn. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound receiving threat is an agile athlete with good strength. Fairweather is a good blocker for his size, but he must add strength in the NFL. Fairweather is a natural pass catcher who has excellent body control. He must hone his technique as he develops his power profile at the next level. Fairweather is a good lottery ticket at the end of day three.
Gee Scott Jr. is an explosive athlete from Ohio State. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound playmaker doesn’t have the size to play tight end in the NFL, but could develop into a serviceable fullback. Scott is a willing blocker and climbs to the second level well. Scott is a rudimentary route runner with the speed to rip off an explosive play. He is a solid option for teams looking to incorporate a fullback into their offense. Scott is a good role player worthy of a late day-three pick.
Jackson Hawes is the best blocker in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound tight end punishes front-seven players in the run game. Hawes is a serviceable pass blocker. He is a poor receiver, a rudimentary route runner who claps attacks the ball. Hawes will need to develop into the role of a blocking specialist. He could face some size and strength limitations in the NFL. He’s a solid option at the end of the draft.
Gavin Bartholomew is a smooth athlete who packs a powerful punch. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end is an above-average blocker and dynamic after the catch. Bartholomew is a rudimentary route-runner who struggles to catch the ball with proper hand placement. He is a solid developmental option at the end of the draft.
Benjamin Yurosek is a solid tight end from the University of Georgia. Yurosek is a good athlete and an explosive playmaker. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end started his career at Stanford before transferring to Georgia. Georgia placed Yurosek inline, where he struggled to block defenders. Yurosek must improve his strength and run-blocking abilities to play in the NFL. The tight end has the tools to develop into an adequate role player. He’s a good option in the seventh round of the draft.
Jalin Conyers is an interesting offensive weapon. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound playmaker is a dynamic athlete. Conyers doesn’t have the size and isn’t the blocker to play on the line of scrimmage. Conyers was an H-back for Texas Tech and projects for the fullback role in the NFL. He is a good route runner, catches the ball well, and is exciting after the catch. Teams must make a role around Conyers' skill set as he develops as a blocker. Conyers is a solid option at the end of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Top 20 tight end prospects the Browns should target in the NFL draft
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The Cleveland Browns desperately need a tight end to step up under David Njoku. Njoku proved that he will play through injuries to help the Browns win. Last season, Njoku missed quite a bit of the season after suffering major injuries. The Browns had no replacement for Njoku, and the offense seemed lost whenever they put a tight end on the field. The Browns required a backup tight end last year, but none saved the day. This year, the Browns must be proactive by addressing the position in the draft. The team has a lot of good options to choose from across days two and three.
Here are the the top 20 tight ends and H-backs in the class.
1. Colston Loveland, Michigan
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Colston Loveland is a mismatch threat. The 6-foot-5, 248 tight end might run the smoothest routes in the draft. Loveland catches the ball well and is hard to tackle. The 21-year-old must get stronger to compete through contact and at the catch point. Loveland had a productive career at Michigan, helping them to a National Championship. Loveland is a day-one receiving threat and could develop into a top tight end in the league. He’s one of the top 15 players in the draft.
2. Tyler Warren, Penn State
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Tyler Warren is one of the most physical runners in the class. He’s 6-foot-5, 256-pounds of brute strength, speed, and determination. Warren runs like an old-school fullback, he’s impossible to bring down. Warren was the offense for Penn State as he led them in the College Football Playoffs. He tries to block, but lacks the proper technique to contribute. Warren is a skillful playmaker with a rare combination of size, speed, and strength. Warren is one of the best 15 players in the draft.
3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
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Elijah Arroyo is the last athletic marvel in the tight end class. The 6-foot-4, 251-pound offensive weapon has incredible deep speed. Arroyo can run away from cornerbacks and safeties. He’s a deep threat on the line of scrimmage. Arroyo lacks the strength to play in the trenches, but he tries a lot to block. Arroyo is a natural receiver, but injuries kept him off the field for most of his collegiate career. He only has one season of production. The 22-year-old is one of the best athletes in the draft class, but needs time to develop. Arroyo is a mismatch threat and would be a great lottery ticket in the second round.
4. Mason Taylor, LSU
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Mason Taylor plays tight end like a seasoned veteran. The 20-year-old might have the best inline tape in the class. The tight end blocks like a lineman in the pass and the run game. Taylor is a powerful 6-foot-4, 250-pounds. Taylor is a solid receiver, an uncreative route runner, and a strong pass catcher. He has all the makings of a solid safety blanket in the NFL. Taylor is a high-floor player, he can play in the trenches on day one of the season. Taylor is worth a second-round pick for teams looking to bolster their tight end room.
5. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
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Terrance Ferguson is an athletic tight end with a robust skill set. Ferguson is a promising blocker and can play attached to the line of scrimmage. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end is quick and fast. He can flex outside as a receiving threat and is creative after the catch. Ferguson has a great foundation to develop into a three-down player. He could be a very effective starting tight end. Ferguson is a solid option for teams in the second round of the draft.
6. Gunnar Helm, Texas
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Gunnar Helm is an inline tight end prospect. The 6-foot-5, 241-pound tight end was a big safety blanket for the University of Texas. Helm is an average athlete and a skillful player. He will need to clean up the mental errors that haunt his game. He must become stronger to become an effective blocker. He can develop into a three-down tight end in the NFL. Helm is a high-floor prospect and is worthy of a third-round pick.
7. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
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Harold Fannin Jr. was one of the most electric playmakers in college football. The 6-foot-3, 238-pound Bowling Green product doesn’t have the ideal size or length to play tight end in the NFL. Fannin is an average linear athlete with good agility. His wiggle helps him break free in the passing game. He catches the ball well and is creative after the catch. Fannin is strong for his size but weak for a tight end. I’m not sure Fannin will become a traditional tight end in the NFL. He is an awkward offensive weapon. Teams must find a way to utilize him in their offense. Fannin is a good lottery ticket in the third round.
8. C.J. Dippre, Alabama
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C.J. Dippre is one of the most underrated prospects in the NFL draft. Dippre is a good, but not great, athlete with a solid power profile. Dippre is a good blocker but lacks a killer instinct. He was an underutilized target in Alabama’s passing game. He is a fine route runner at the intermediate and underneath portions of the field. Dippre is creative after the catch and always fights for extra yards. Dippre is one of the best blocking tight ends in the draft, with potential in the passing game. He could develop into a starting tight end in the NFL. Dippre would be a great addition on day three of the draft.
9. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
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Mitchell Evans is a hard-working, old-school tight end. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Notre Dame product is a polished tight end. He’s a good blocker and an above-average target in the receiving game. Evans is a strong but relatively average athlete. He has great hands and is a reliable route-runner. Evans has a balanced skill set to develop into a three-down tight end. Evans is a safe bet in the fourth round.
10. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
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Jake Briningstool is a slender receiving threat. The 6-foot-5, 234-pound Clemson product must add a lot more mass and strength in the NFL. He’s a deft route-runner and a willing blocker. Briningstool is great at the catch point. He lacks the suddenness and strength to be a reliable threat after the catch. He’ll take years to develop into a competent starting-caliber tight end. Briningstool is an excellent project for NFL teams looking to juice up their passing attack. He’s a great lottery pick at the start of day three of the NFL draft.
11. Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
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Oronde Gadsden II was one of the best receiving threats in college football. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end played closer to 230-pounds at Syracuse. He doesn’t have much experience playing inline, but he’s a weapon in the slot and outside. He’s a deep threat and works well over the middle. Gadsden isn’t creative as a ball carrier and lacks the strength to break tackles consistently. He must dedicate himself to adding more mass and strength to play in the NFL. He lost 6 pounds between the Combine and the Pro Day. Gadsden is a dynamic weapon, but he could struggle to find a role in the NFL. Teams will need to design touches for him as he develops his strength. Gadsden is a good lottery ticket on the third day of the draft.
12. Luke Lachey, Iowa
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Luke Lachey is a smooth route runner from the University of Iowa. The 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end is an experienced playmaker. He’s an average athlete who lacks the strength and acceleration to thrive in the NFL. He’s a willing blocker, but unable to generate push in the run game. Lachey is a good receiving threat with strong hands. The 23-year-old could develop into a serviceable tight end if he bulks up. Lachey is a solid option in the middle of day three.
13. Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
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Bryson Nesbit was a solid receiving threat for North Carolina. The 6-foot-5, 240-pound receiver was a big-bodied deep threat. Nesbit uses his size to box out defenders and has strong hands to catch through contact. Nesbit isn’t a strong player, and he’s an average athlete, although he tested horribly at the combine and his pro day. He is a good receiving threat who could develop into an adequate blocker. The 23-year-old is a good option for teams looking to stash a third tight end. He’s worthy of a middle to late day three pick.
14. Joshua Simon, South Carolina
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Joshua Simon was a dynamic weapon for South Carolina. Simon is 6-foot-4, 241-pounds. He is an explosive athlete but lacks the size and strength to project as an NFL starter. Simon is a good receiving threat with strong hands. He’s a willing blocker, but lacks the technique and strength to be an average blocker. Simon is a talented receiving option who can create after the catch. It’ll be hard for him to develop into a traditional inline role, but he could develop into a better receiving threat.
15. Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
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Rivaldo Fairweather is a raw prospect from Auburn. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound receiving threat is an agile athlete with good strength. Fairweather is a good blocker for his size, but he must add strength in the NFL. Fairweather is a natural pass catcher who has excellent body control. He must hone his technique as he develops his power profile at the next level. Fairweather is a good lottery ticket at the end of day three.
16. Gee Scott Jr., Ohio State
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Gee Scott Jr. is an explosive athlete from Ohio State. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound playmaker doesn’t have the size to play tight end in the NFL, but could develop into a serviceable fullback. Scott is a willing blocker and climbs to the second level well. Scott is a rudimentary route runner with the speed to rip off an explosive play. He is a solid option for teams looking to incorporate a fullback into their offense. Scott is a good role player worthy of a late day-three pick.
17. Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
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Jackson Hawes is the best blocker in the NFL draft. The 6-foot-4, 252-pound tight end punishes front-seven players in the run game. Hawes is a serviceable pass blocker. He is a poor receiver, a rudimentary route runner who claps attacks the ball. Hawes will need to develop into the role of a blocking specialist. He could face some size and strength limitations in the NFL. He’s a solid option at the end of the draft.
18. Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh
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Gavin Bartholomew is a smooth athlete who packs a powerful punch. The 6-foot-4, 241-pound tight end is an above-average blocker and dynamic after the catch. Bartholomew is a rudimentary route-runner who struggles to catch the ball with proper hand placement. He is a solid developmental option at the end of the draft.
19. Ben Yurosek, Georgia
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Benjamin Yurosek is a solid tight end from the University of Georgia. Yurosek is a good athlete and an explosive playmaker. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound tight end started his career at Stanford before transferring to Georgia. Georgia placed Yurosek inline, where he struggled to block defenders. Yurosek must improve his strength and run-blocking abilities to play in the NFL. The tight end has the tools to develop into an adequate role player. He’s a good option in the seventh round of the draft.
20. Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
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Jalin Conyers is an interesting offensive weapon. The 6-foot-3, 260-pound playmaker is a dynamic athlete. Conyers doesn’t have the size and isn’t the blocker to play on the line of scrimmage. Conyers was an H-back for Texas Tech and projects for the fullback role in the NFL. He is a good route runner, catches the ball well, and is exciting after the catch. Teams must make a role around Conyers' skill set as he develops as a blocker. Conyers is a solid option at the end of the draft.
This article originally appeared on Browns Wire: Top 20 tight end prospects the Browns should target in the NFL draft
Continue reading...
