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We’re just over a week away from the 2025 NFL Draft, and Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders continues to dominate pre-draft headlines. While his stock is presumably falling by the second, other position groups deserve some attention. Tight end isn’t as deep as running back this year, but the top of the group should contribute early and often in their rookie year.
Like running backs, there’s a clear-cut No. 1, but the gap to No. 2 isn’t as severe. Let’s take a look at the top seven tight ends and see how they can impact the NFL in year one.
Talk about an all-time glow-up when it mattered most. Warren can do just about everything on a football field, and Penn State essentially let him in 2024. In his first four years in college, Warren had 49 receptions, 606 yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, and two rushing scores. He posted 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns last year and added 218 yards and four scores on the ground.
Warren was leaned on by Penn State’s offense to a CFP Semifinal appearance and likely did it with a smile on his face. He’s the epitome of a football player, being highly productive with the ball in his hands while grinding out backside zone blocks. The one knock is his top speed, but this kid has the athleticism, quickness, size, and strength to be a highly effective NFL tight end.
Loveland would be the first tight end off the board in many other years, but he has the bad luck of coming out the same year as Warren. He's a modern-era tight end who is more comfortable playing detached than in-line. He measured just under 6’6”, 248 at the Combine, and has uncanny suddenness as a route runner.
In 10 games last season, Loveland hauled in 56 receptions (career-high), 582 yards, and five touchdowns (career-high). Michigan had a down year, but Loveland came to play in his true junior season. His hands and route running are excellent, but he will leave you wanting more as a blocker. His age keeps the door open for him to be the first tight end taken, but he’ll be a weapon in whatever offense he goes to.
Arroyo measured just over 6’5”, 250 at the Combine, and is similar to Loveland with how he produces. Arroyo lacks some of the suddenness and compact route running as the Michigan product, but he gets open with speed and instincts. His technique will need work, but he has the size to develop into a competitive blocker.
His biggest issue is durability. Arroyo played only 11 games between 2022 and 2023 because of an ACL tear. Teams will likely hold that against him with his draft position, but he played all 13 last season, posting 35 receptions, 590 yards, and seven touchdowns. Arroyo has been blessed with many natural tools that teams love to develop, but will he maximize his potential?
Fannin was on a mission in 2024, leading FBS with 117 receptions and 1,555 yards en route to being named an All-American. He added 11 total touchdowns (10 receiving, one rushing) and is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s class. He measured 6’3 ¼”, 241 at the Combine, and will have to align off the ball in the NFL.
Luckily, that’s where Fannin was at his best in college. Despite looking awkward athletically, he wins with straight-line speed and quickness. His length makes him struggle against physical defenders, but he’s risen to the occasion every step of his college career. He went toe-to-toe with Warren last year, hauling in 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown at Penn State. Fannin’s youth and versatility make him a highly coveted prospect.
The son of a Hall of Famer, Taylor carved out a name for himself as one of the most reliable tight ends in the nation during his time at LSU. The career numbers aren’t overly impressive (career highs in receptions (55) and yards (546) in 2024), but he has the tools to become a three-down player in the NFL.
Taylor measured just over 6’5”, 251 at the Combine, and uses his size and athleticism to shield defenders as a blocker. He’ll likely produce as a pass catcher first in the NFL as he adjusts to next-level physicality, but he has the natural gifts to become a well-rounded tight end. Taylor is another young guy, so teams will fall in love with his age and size, but Fannin is higher due to his proven production.
Ferguson is another big-bodied tight end with positional versatility. He measured 6’5 ⅜” 247 at the Combine, but lacks the same level of athleticism and big-play ability as some of the guys higher on this list. He posted 43 receptions, 591 yards, and three touchdowns last season, playing in 12 of Oregon’s 14 games.
He’ll hang his hat on his strength running routes and at the point of attack, but he’s also very consistent catching the ball, so he has the potential to be a reliable possession receiver. His technique as a blocker needs work, but his toughness at the point gives him a strong base at a difficult position. Ferguson isn’t a flashy prospect but should develop into a solid contributor.
Helm rounds out the list as another non-flashy guy. He measured 6’5”, 241 at the combine, and was a bit of a one-hit-wonder in 2024. Helm totaled 60 receptions, 786 yards, and seven touchdowns, all of which were career highs by a wide margin. His calling card is what he does after the catch, despite his below-average speed. The instincts and feel with the ball in his hands make him somewhat unique in the class, but his overall athletic profile could limit him.
For being as big as he is, he plays smaller at the point of attack. Blocking as a tight end is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL, but he’ll need more time to adjust than most of the guys higher on the list. He has the skillset to produce at the next level, but don’t expect it immediately.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Top 7 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
Like running backs, there’s a clear-cut No. 1, but the gap to No. 2 isn’t as severe. Let’s take a look at the top seven tight ends and see how they can impact the NFL in year one.
- Tyler Warren, Penn State
Talk about an all-time glow-up when it mattered most. Warren can do just about everything on a football field, and Penn State essentially let him in 2024. In his first four years in college, Warren had 49 receptions, 606 yards, 11 receiving touchdowns, and two rushing scores. He posted 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, and eight receiving touchdowns last year and added 218 yards and four scores on the ground.
Warren was leaned on by Penn State’s offense to a CFP Semifinal appearance and likely did it with a smile on his face. He’s the epitome of a football player, being highly productive with the ball in his hands while grinding out backside zone blocks. The one knock is his top speed, but this kid has the athleticism, quickness, size, and strength to be a highly effective NFL tight end.
- Colston Loveland, Michigan
Loveland would be the first tight end off the board in many other years, but he has the bad luck of coming out the same year as Warren. He's a modern-era tight end who is more comfortable playing detached than in-line. He measured just under 6’6”, 248 at the Combine, and has uncanny suddenness as a route runner.
In 10 games last season, Loveland hauled in 56 receptions (career-high), 582 yards, and five touchdowns (career-high). Michigan had a down year, but Loveland came to play in his true junior season. His hands and route running are excellent, but he will leave you wanting more as a blocker. His age keeps the door open for him to be the first tight end taken, but he’ll be a weapon in whatever offense he goes to.
- Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Arroyo measured just over 6’5”, 250 at the Combine, and is similar to Loveland with how he produces. Arroyo lacks some of the suddenness and compact route running as the Michigan product, but he gets open with speed and instincts. His technique will need work, but he has the size to develop into a competitive blocker.
His biggest issue is durability. Arroyo played only 11 games between 2022 and 2023 because of an ACL tear. Teams will likely hold that against him with his draft position, but he played all 13 last season, posting 35 receptions, 590 yards, and seven touchdowns. Arroyo has been blessed with many natural tools that teams love to develop, but will he maximize his potential?
- Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Fannin was on a mission in 2024, leading FBS with 117 receptions and 1,555 yards en route to being named an All-American. He added 11 total touchdowns (10 receiving, one rushing) and is one of the more intriguing prospects in this year’s class. He measured 6’3 ¼”, 241 at the Combine, and will have to align off the ball in the NFL.
Luckily, that’s where Fannin was at his best in college. Despite looking awkward athletically, he wins with straight-line speed and quickness. His length makes him struggle against physical defenders, but he’s risen to the occasion every step of his college career. He went toe-to-toe with Warren last year, hauling in 11 catches for 137 yards and a touchdown at Penn State. Fannin’s youth and versatility make him a highly coveted prospect.
- Mason Taylor, LSU
The son of a Hall of Famer, Taylor carved out a name for himself as one of the most reliable tight ends in the nation during his time at LSU. The career numbers aren’t overly impressive (career highs in receptions (55) and yards (546) in 2024), but he has the tools to become a three-down player in the NFL.
Taylor measured just over 6’5”, 251 at the Combine, and uses his size and athleticism to shield defenders as a blocker. He’ll likely produce as a pass catcher first in the NFL as he adjusts to next-level physicality, but he has the natural gifts to become a well-rounded tight end. Taylor is another young guy, so teams will fall in love with his age and size, but Fannin is higher due to his proven production.
- Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Ferguson is another big-bodied tight end with positional versatility. He measured 6’5 ⅜” 247 at the Combine, but lacks the same level of athleticism and big-play ability as some of the guys higher on this list. He posted 43 receptions, 591 yards, and three touchdowns last season, playing in 12 of Oregon’s 14 games.
He’ll hang his hat on his strength running routes and at the point of attack, but he’s also very consistent catching the ball, so he has the potential to be a reliable possession receiver. His technique as a blocker needs work, but his toughness at the point gives him a strong base at a difficult position. Ferguson isn’t a flashy prospect but should develop into a solid contributor.
- Gunnar Helm, Texas
Helm rounds out the list as another non-flashy guy. He measured 6’5”, 241 at the combine, and was a bit of a one-hit-wonder in 2024. Helm totaled 60 receptions, 786 yards, and seven touchdowns, all of which were career highs by a wide margin. His calling card is what he does after the catch, despite his below-average speed. The instincts and feel with the ball in his hands make him somewhat unique in the class, but his overall athletic profile could limit him.
For being as big as he is, he plays smaller at the point of attack. Blocking as a tight end is one of the hardest things to do in the NFL, but he’ll need more time to adjust than most of the guys higher on the list. He has the skillset to produce at the next level, but don’t expect it immediately.
This article originally appeared on Draft Wire: Top 7 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft
Continue reading...
