2025 NFL Draft- Top 10 Tight End's

These days, a star tight end is as much a necessity in the NFL as a high-end wide receiver on the outside for teams. Offensive coordinators keep finding different ways to use the talents of their young tight ends. This year, Raiders phenom Brock Bowers shattered most of the NFL rookie tight end records this past season, hauling in 112 receptions for 1,194 yards and five touchdowns. Although the 2024 class may have included the best tight end in recent memory, it lacked depth, and no other tight end had more than 350 yards. 

Complete list of every TE pick from the 2024 NFL Draft:

Round 1, Pick 13: Brock Bowers, Georgia - Las Vegas Raiders

Round 2, Pick 53: Ben Sinnott, Kansas State- Washington Commanders

Round 3, Pick 82: Tip Reiman, Illinois- Arizona Cardinals

Round 4, Pick 101: Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas- Carolina Panthers

Round 4, Pick 107: Theo Johnson, Penn State- New York Giants

Round 4, Pick 115: Erick All, Iowa- Cincinnati Bengals

Round 4, Pick 121: A.J. Barner, Michigan- Seattle Seahawks

Round 4, Pick 123: Cade Stover, Ohio State- Houston Texans

Round 4, Pick 131: Jared Wiley, TCU- Kansas City Chiefs

Round 6, Pick 194: Tanner McLachlan, Arizona- Cincinnati Bengals

Round 7, Pick 231: Jaheim Bell, Florida State- New England Patriots

Round 7, Pick 246: Devin Culp- Washington, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The 2025 class may not have an elite talent like Brock Bowers, but it does have three potential stars at the top with solid depth throughout. This is an excellent draft for an NFL team to add depth to their tight end position.

Penn State- TE- Tyler Warren (6’6” 259 lbs)

2024 Stats: 104 receptions, 1,233 yards, 8 touchdowns, 218 rushing yards, 4 touchdowns

Strengths

Route running

Athleticism

Versatility

Strong hands

Yards after catch

Tyler Warren is 6-foot-6 and has extreme athleticism with strong, reliable hands that he uses to snatch balls out in front of his body. Warren was a quarterback in high school and adds versatility to an offense with the ability to throw a pass or take a handoff. He can line up all over the offense and excels out wide because of his strong route running skills. Although he isn't the fastest straight-line runner, he will put pressure on safeties and or linebackers trying to stop him one-on-one. After making a catch, Warren is a physical presence with the capability of taking a short pass and getting the most out of it.

Weaknesses

Mechanics

Experience

Sustaining blocks

Warren is a former quarterback who is still learning the tight end position. At times, he gets by on pure athleticism. The weakest part of Warren's game is his blocking. He can be stiff and lacks the correct mechanics to sustain blocks. Depending on what NFL team drafts him, he may project as a slot H-back that rarely lines up on the line. 

Final analysis:

Tyler Warren is a special type of player that can add a new dimension to an offense. The ability to line up anywhere in a formation and having the capability to run, throw or stretch defenses will make him an instant weapon

Projection- 1st round pick

Check out the full profile on Tyler Warren here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/tyler-warren-hrdtl4

 2. Michigan- TE- Colston Loveland (6’5” 242 lbs)

2024 Stats: 56 receptions, 582 yards, 5 touchdowns

Strengths

Route running

Versatility

Catch radius

Yards after catch

Colston Loveland has started 17 of his 29 career games at Michigan and in that time has played all over: in line, in the slot, out wide, and has even started out in the backfield in pistol formations. His versatility has been used to cause major mismatches that the Wolverines have taken advantage of. He runs smooth routes and can separate from defenders quickly. He changes direction well and he keeps himself moving to find open space, becoming a target when the quarterback is scrambling. 

Loveland has a wide catch radius and strong hands to snare passes that are thrown either behind him or out front. He excels in getting as much as he can after the catch as a physical tight end that run over defenders but also displays an explosive burst that he uses to separate himself from the pack after making a catch.

Weaknesses

Strength

Press coverage

Upright

Loveland needs to add mass on his 6-foot-5 frame. When blocking, his play strength is behind some of the other prospects which is demonstrated with his struggles on the line. He plays too upright when exploding off the ball and loses his leverage. When he is lined up on the line, he has struggled to get past the press coverage, especially against larger and more aggressive defenders.

Final Analysis:

Loveland reminds Draft Nation of Travis Kelce and should go late in round one, if not early round two.

Projection- 1st round

Check out the full profile of Colston Loveland here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/colston-loveland-9no2xx

3. Bowling Green- TE- Harold Fannin Jr. (6’4” 230 lbs)

2024 Stats: 117 receptions  1,555 yards, 10 touchdowns, 65 yards rushing, one touchdown

Strengths

Hands

Versatility

Burst

Fluid Movement

The first thing that stands out about Harold Fannin Jr. is his versatility. He can line up on the inside or outside and has the athletic ability to set up in wild cat options and run the ball. He has reliable hands and has only been tagged with one drop in college. He has a good burst off the line and is a matchup nightmare when moved around the formation. When running routes he's fluid in his movements and is effective at coming out of his breaks. 

Weaknesses

Frame

Competition

Run blocking

On the downside, Fannin is a bit of a tweener. His frame looks like he could be a wide receiver and depending on what team selects him, he may need to add some weight to be able to play on the line consistently. Although he is a willing blocker, he struggles to hit and drive opponents in the run game. The scheme at Bowling Green limits his route tree and he will need to prove to NFL scouts that he can be efficient running a full allotment of routes. Compared to other top prospects at tight end, his lack of competition will be looked at negatively.

Final Analysis:

Harold Fannin set the NCAA record this past season with 117 receptions and 1,555 yards. He needs to prove himself against the elite competition in senior bowls and at the combine to remove any doubts his numbers were inflated due to opponents.

Projection- 2nd round

Check out the full profile of Harold Fannin Jr. here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/harold-fannin-jr-xfntct

4. LSU- TE- Mason Taylor (6’5” 255 lbs)

2024 Stats: 55 receptions, 546 yards, 2 touchdowns

Strengths

Hands

Fluid Movement

Yards after catch

Versatility in lining up

Mason Taylor adds versatility to an offense. He can line up out wide or remain on the line and has a knack for finding soft spots in defensive zones that usually result in first downs. He is a reliable possession tight end who moves very fluidly for a larger man. He excels at making plays over the middle and he is physical going up for the ball. 

Taylor has put up impressive yards after the catch numbers at LSU, proving he is a tough runner to bring down once a catch is made. He has a high football IQ and football in his DNA.

Weaknesses

Straight line speed

Run blocking

Anchoring

Although Taylor moves fluidly, he will not put pressure on the back end of most defenses. His straight-line speed is average, and he may not supply the big play ability of other prospects. Taylor runs thorough routes but struggles to gain separation at times. As of right now, he projects as a possession type tight end.

Taylor has issues in his run blocking and plays too high. He loses leverage on the smaller defenders who get underneath him and can bypass him easily. He needs to get stronger on his initial punch to a defender. 

Final Analysis:

Mason Taylor is a reliable pass catcher who can add some flexibility to an offense. He has the size and the football IQ to be a solid addition to any team. He is not going to be a game changer, and he needs to work on his overall blocking.

Projection- 3rd round

Check out the full profile of Mason Taylor here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/mason-taylor-qgy8ds

5. Texas- TE- Gunnar Helm (6’5” 248 lbs)

2024 Stats: 60 receptions, 786 yards, 7 touchdowns

Strengths

Hands

Size

Body control

Versatility

Work ethic

Gunnar Helm is a versatile tight end who can line up all over the offensive sets, including the backfield. He has very reliable hands and does a solid job of catching passes away from his body. Helm has an athletic frame and height (6'5") to be able to post up on short passes and has a broad catch radius to help his quarterbacks. Coaches love players who work hard and watch endless film, and by all accounts this is who Gunnar Helm is. He has leadership qualities teams look for and will be a player who makes his presence felt in the locker room. Helm has extraordinary body control for a big man and can make plays on bad throws.

Weaknesses

Run blocking

Mechanics/Techniques

Separation ability

Lack of production

On the downside, Helm does not look comfortable blocking and needs to work on his technique and controlling them after contact. He is not going to beat opponents with his speed and although his route running is adequate, he lacks the separation ability to beat a defender cleanly. His lack of production coming into his senior season will be considered and could affect his draft stock when matched up against other top prospects.

Final Analysis:

His ability to line up all around the formation is always a plus for offensive coordinators. Helm is projected as a third round pick but could sneak into round two.

Projection- 3rd round

Check out the full profile on Gunnar Helm here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/gunnar-helm-xow7ag

6. Miami,Fla- TE- Elijah Arroyo (6’4” 245 lbs)

2024 Stats: 35 receptions, 590 yards, 7 touchdowns

Strengths

Hands

Frame

Straight line speed

Yards after catch

Matchup nightmare

Elijah Arroyo has the build of today's Y-tight ends. He has a big catch radius and will be a matchup nightmare for most linebackers and safeties. The 6-foot-4 tight end has wide receiver hands and does an effective job of snatching the ball out in front of his body. Arroyo has excellent contact balance and can get big chunks of yards after the catch and the long speed to stretch the seams of defenses. He is versatile, lining up as a chess piece that leads to many favorable matchups for the offense. 

Weaknesses

Route Running

Run blocking

Raw

Injury History

Lack of production

Overall, Arroyo is very raw and compared to the other top prospects in the class he will have more questions to answer. His injury history will also raise some red flags as he had a serious knee injury that kept him out for parts of two seasons. Arroyo will need to show he is fully recovered and so far in 2024 it appears that he is. 

Arroyo is more productive when he is lined up off the line of scrimmage in the slot. He struggles with run blocking and could project as a passing weapon when he enters the lineup. In his time at Miami, he has mainly beaten opponents with speed and will need to learn the full route tree to be successful at the next level.

Final Analysis:

Arroyo is a high ceiling prospect that a team in the third or fourth round should feel comfortable selecting. He may need a year or two to learn the nuances of the position, but he has the overall ability to become a playmaker sooner rather than later.

Projection- 3rd round or 4th round

Check out the full profile of Elijah Arroyo here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/elijah-arroyo-g6ti83

7- Vanderbilt- TE- Eli Stowers (6’4” 235 lbs)

2024 Stats: 49 receptions, 638 yards, 5 touchdowns

Strengths

Athleticism

Body control

Versatility

WR type hands

Straight line speed

Red zone ability

Stowers, a former quarterback, is very athletic and has the straight-line speed to stack up defenders and put pressure on the secondary's backend. He is blessed with wide receiver hands and the ability to contort his body to make catches with a wide catch radius. Stowers is a do-it-all player who can catch, run, or throw the ball and can be a weapon if put in the right offensive coordinators hands. At 6-foot-4 and with his high jumping ability, Stowers is going to get his touches inside the red zone. 

Weaknesses

Route Running

Foot work

Frame

Raw

Run blocking

On the downside, Stowers has played quarterback for much of his football career and is raw at the nuances of the position. His run blocking is a work in progress, and he struggles with his mechanics and may be projected as a player who lines up off the line of scrimmage. He needs to add some mass to his frame to withstand the physicality of the NFL and can be seen in some scouts’ eyes as a "tweener". He gets away with his speed against college linebackers or safeties, but will need to run better routes at the next level. A lot of his route problems may be addressed with better footwork when coming in and out of breaks.

Final Analysis:

Eli Stowers is a unique tight end prospect who has been shooting up the draft boards in 2024. His athleticism, hands and versatility should have teams looking for him in the mid-rounds of the draft. 

Projection- 4th round

Check out the full profile of Eli Stowers here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/eli-stowers-5lwer2

8- Utah- TE- Brant Kuithe (6’2” 229 lbs)

2024 Stats: 35 receptions, 505 yards, 3 touchdowns

Strengths

Hands

Route running

Yards after catch

Creativity

As an NFL prospect, Kuithe has great body control, reliable hands, and good run after catch ability. His shiftiness and quick feet paired with his body control and balance make him an incredible route runner. He hauls in most throws within his catch radius, making him a valuable receiving option for any offense. He is agile and sudden, taking advantage of his compact frame and “quicks.”

Weaknesses

Size

Speed

Injury history

Pass blocking

Run blocking

Kuithe, however, is small for NFL tight ends, limiting his blocking ability and in-line blocking assignments. He will likely need to be set up away from the line to be efficient in the passing game. He possesses average speed for the next level and will have issues breaking tackles. His size limits his ability to be a three down player and will likely be relegated to duties as a passing down specialist.

Final Analysis:

He may not be as large or strong as other NFL tight ends, but he brings value in his creative running and make-miss ability. He is great after the catch even though he possesses average speed and is not strong enough to run through tackles. His receiving upside will help him climb draft boards despite his mediocre blocking skills from the tight end position. 

Projection- 4th Round or 5th Round

Check out the full profile of Brant Kuithe here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/Brant-Kuithe-hdz

9. Clemson- TE- Jake Briningstool (6’6” 230 lbs)

2024 Stats: 49 receptions, 530 yards, 7 touchdowns

Strengths

Body control

Route running

Explosiveness

Briningstool is athletic with explosiveness off the line to set linebackers and defensive backs on their heels. He doesn’t have top end speed, but he has enough straight-line speed to stretch the seams of a defense. He is one of the better options as a chain moving possession tight end in the 2024 class, and does an efficient job of squaring his body up to the quarterback and running smooth routes. In the NFL, he will be a quality 3rd and short option at receiver. For a larger player, he possesses above average body control and can contort for a throw behind him or thrown low. 

Weaknesses

Hands

Ball tracking

Blocking

Briningstool is very light for his position and will not add much to a team’s running game. He will more than likely be lined up in the slot as a receiver and not fire off the line of scrimmage. He struggles in press coverage, and this could cause timing issues on his routes. With his frame he will need to add some weight to improve his stock and longevity in the NFL. He has had drop issues with balls thrown over his shoulder and is more reliable facing the quarterback in his routes. At times, he can get lazy with his hands and let the ball get into his body on throws. Though he has the speed and separation ability, he has not had much success as a deep threat.

Final Analysis:

Briningstool has enough upside to be a solid 4th or 5th round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Projection- 4th or 5th round

Check out the full profile of Jake Briningstool here:

https://www.draftnation.com/prospects/Jake-Briningstool-bgg

10. Oregon- TE- Terrance Ferguson (6’6” 230 lbs)

2024 Stats: 43 receptions, 591 yards, 3 touchdowns

Strengths

Route running

Frame

WR type hands

Red zone ability

Shiftiness

Sustaining blocks

Terrance Ferguson has been a steady pass catcher since the day he arrived in Eugene. His route running is smooth and precise, and he uses his head and arms to make his cuts. He has wide receiver hands and catches the ball out if front of his body. During his time at Oregon, he has shown off his capability in the redzone and should be a weapon for an NFL team. Ferguson has a solid frame with long arms which helps give him a broad catch radius. He is a technical blocker who is able to hit and sustain blocks and will be beneficial in the run game.

Weaknesses

Speed

Zone coverage

Strength

Separation ability

Lowers head

Ferguson lacks the speed needed to gain separation and will need to beat defenders with his route running. He is not weak by any means but has the frame to add some upper body strength which should help him to anchor in run and pass blocking at the next level. Although he is an excellent blocker, Ferguson has a habit of hitting and driving opponents with his head down and can lose his ability to control his opponent. He performs better in man-to-man situations and in zone coverage he overruns the soft spots in the zone and takes away good passing windows.

Final Analysis:

Ferguson is a solid tight end, but not one who will “wow” scouts in any one aspect of his game. He is a quality 5th round pick in 2025.

Projection- 5th Round pick