Up next in the final 2025 positional rankings, we have tight ends, one of the strongest position groups in this draft. Two prospects stand above the rest as almost surefire locks to go in the first round, but there is a lot of depth in this class. For teams who miss out on the top guys or have other priorities on Day 1, there are some great options on Day 2, and plenty of developmental or role guys even deeper into the draft.
As always, stay tuned for more draft coverage here at NFLTR! I’ll be looking to update all my position rankings before draft night, and we’ll have all the news here as it breaks. Check out my other final position rankings below:
Final Position Rankings:
1: Tyler Warren, Penn State
A breakout superstar in 2024, Warren played quarterback in high school and only started playing tight end when he arrived in State College. After redshirting initially and playing minimally his first two seasons, he began climbing the depth chart in 2023, earning third-team All-Big 10 honors. As a senior, he took college football by storm, catching 98 passes for 1,158 yards and eight touchdowns, to go with 24 carries for 197 yards and another four touchdowns. His performance not only got him first-team All-Big 10 recognition, but he won multiple All-American honors and the Mackey Award, given to the nation’s top tight end.
Standing at 6-5 and a half and 256 pounds, Warren is built like an NFL tight end. In a class full of undersized slot tight ends, teams will be attracted to Warren’s skill at his size. He’s an experienced route runner, capable of gaining immediate separation off the line and beating both man and zone coverages. With flexible hips and quick feet, he’s capable of consistently breaking free from man coverage, utilizing head fakes and sharp cuts to get himself open.
Against zone, Warren displays solid feel for breaking down the coverage, finding soft spots and making himself an available target. He catches the ball cleanly and consistently, with only three drops in 2024. Natural athleticism adds to his bag, as he’s tough to tackle after the catch and he can make people miss with the ball in his hands. His background as a quarterback shines through, as he knows what his quarterback needs on any given play and routinely makes smart choices. As a blocker, Warren displays good fundamentals and a strong upper body, capable of sealing the edge and connecting on blocks in space.
You can tell Warren’s only been playing the position for a few years, as his blocking technique is still being refined. He has the physicality and willingness to be a plus blocker down the line, but it’s something he’ll need to continue to be coached up on. As a route runner, more reps will only improve his game, as he showcases strong potential in that department.
Warren’s stock has only risen throughout the pre-draft process. Indianapolis at No. 14 is his floor, and there’s a good chance he goes in the top 10. He can do everything you ask him to on offense and will dominate the middle of the field. His versatility as both a runner and lead blocker out of the backfield adds to his value, and you can be sure he’ll uncork a few passes on trick plays in his career. His services will be in high demand on draft night.
2: Colston Loveland, Michigan
A 6-6, 248-pound true junior from Gooding, Idaho, Loveland has been on the draft radar since his freshman season. After a solid first year, he put together back-to-back seasons of 45 catches for 649 yards and four touchdowns in 2023 followed by 56 catches for 582 yards and five touchdowns this season, despite the struggles of the Michigan offense. He was named first-team All-Big 10 as a sophomore and made the all-conference second-team as a junior.
Loveland is an explosive athlete and downfield threat at the tight end position. Whether he’s lined up in the slot, in-line, or out wide, he shoots off the ball into his routes, with the speed to genuinely threaten the seams and over the top. He makes his bread-and-butter over the middle of the field, using his strong hands to secure passes in traffic and through contact. Unlike most tight ends, he’s a weapon after the catch, capable of weaving through a defense or overpowering defenders near the goal line.
As a route runner, Loveland displays quick lateral agility and the acceleration to gain separation at the tops of his routes. He can run a full downfield route tree and isn’t limited to underneath zone routes. Safeties and linebackers are mismatched against him, given his size/speed combo, and he routinely beats them in one-on-one coverage. Loveland isn’t a plus blocker for the position, but he’s a willing one, able to hold his own in the run game and provide resistance in pass protection.
Part of Loveland’s struggles when blocking come from his lack of leverage. Getting lower in his stance will help him fire off the ball faster and with more punch, helping him move bodies in short-yardage situations. Sustaining blocks can also be an issue for him, something that will ideally be coached up in the NFL.
Another first-round pick, Loveland will probably go in the top 20. His size and skill will be coveted, as he can win from multiple alignments and at all three levels of the field, making an offense more dynamic through the stress he places on defenses. I doubt he’ll ever be a blocking weapon, but he also doesn’t have to be. As a move tight end, you can’t ask for much better than Loveland.
3: Elijah Arroyo, Miami
A highly-coveted four-star recruit from Texas, Arroyo committed to the Hurricanes in 2021 and made an impact as a true freshman, catching a touchdown and playing in all 12 games. Season-ending knee injuries in the next two years derailed his college career, but he was able to heal and come back with a vengeance in 2024. Arroyo put together a second-team All-ACC campaign as a redshirt junior with 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns, flashing his upside at the Senior Bowl and moving his way up draft boards.
At 6-5, 250, Arroyo has ideal NFL size for the position. He’s a long strider who eats up space downfield, threatening vertically up the seam and turning upfield for yards after the catch. While his build-up long speed is his calling card, Arroyo has good burst and short-area quickness to attack man coverage, gaining separation on his routes and beating defenders one-on-one. His length and frame make him a weapon in contested catch situations, where his wingspan gives him a big catch radius and he has the soft hands to secure tough passes.
As a route runner, Arroyo showcases subtlety and nuance in his movements beyond his years. He sells fakes well, using exaggerated turns to get defenders moving one way before cutting back. Notably, Arroyo can line up across the formation and runs a full route tree, making him a versatile weapon at the next level. As a blocker, he has the size and commitment to succeed, punishing smaller defenders and holding his own on the line of scrimmage.
While Arroyo has the traits and determination you want to see in an in-line blocker, he’s still working on his technique. Right now, he sets too high, losing leverage battles as a result. Better coordination between his hands and feet would help a lot with this, as would more experience on the field. Additionally, his medical history will need to be cleared by teams before they draft him — while it seems those knee injuries are behind him, teams will want to do their due diligence. Those injuries cost him quite a bit of development in college, but he’s already making up for lost time.
Arroyo is an easy second-round pick and top-50 player for me. He’s quite the consolation prize for a team that missed out on the top prospects in Round 1. The depth of this tight end class is strong, but Arroyo is still in a tier of his own, between Warren and Loveland at the top and the rest of the Day 2 tight end prospects. He offers high receiving upside with the frame to be a good blocker down the line, as well. As a high second-round pick, Arroyo will make a team very happy on draft night.
4: Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Originally a four-star recruit from Colorado, Ferguson spent a productive four years in Eugene. He caught 17 passes as a freshman, following that with 32, 42, and 43 catch seasons, with 1,396 yards and 14 touchdowns between them. He made first-team All-Pac-12 as a junior and third-team All-Big 10 as a senior, earning a reputation as a reliable threat in the Ducks’ passing offense.
At 6-5, 247 pounds, Ferguson has prototypical NFL size. He pairs that with impressive long speed and quick acceleration, able to threaten the seams and middle of the defense right off the snap. His long wingspan gives him a wide catch radius, combining with his soft hands to routinely snare passes well outside his frame. As a route runner, he displays excellent lateral agility at his size, capable of making quick cuts and gaining consistent separation. Ferguson has a knack for making plays on the ball, with solid contested catch and red zone work on his tape.
When asked to block, Ferguson showcases both his strong upper body and well-built lower half. He has the leg drive to move defenders off the line of scrimmage and the anchor ability to seal the edge. With consistent production from the slot and out wide, teams can line Ferguson up all over the formation, as his advanced route-running ability lets him win from multiple alignments.
For all his strengths in the receiving game, Ferguson doesn’t create much after the catch, too often going down on first contact and profiling more as a possession receiver. His blocking techniques could use additional refinement, as well, with pass blocking in particular being more of a work-in-progress for him. He won’t be a plus blocker right away, and that may never be a strength of his game.
Ferguson’s strong receiving and route-running profile makes him a compelling Day 2 prospect. While likely won’t be a star at the next level, I like his potential as a lead tight end in a strong rotation. He can play every down and is a weapon in short-yardage and third-down situations as a receiver. Versatile, high-floor tight ends like Ferguson can be hard to come by, and he’ll be a good add in the second or third round.
5: Mason Taylor, LSU
The rock-solid true junior from Florida, Taylor started all three seasons for the Tigers. At 6-5, 251 pounds, he has ideal size and a proven track record of production. He’s caught at least 36 passes each of his collegiate seasons, jumping up to 55 as a junior, to go with 546 yards, earning first-team All-SEC recognition. Multiple seasons on the SEC Academic Honor Roll highlight his character and intelligence off the field, as well.
Taylor is as sure-handed as they come in this class, a truly natural pass catcher. The Tigers offense asked him to line up in multiple positions and he answered the bell when called upon. He has soft hands and a wide catch radius, able to make catches away from his frame. Decisive with the ball in his hands, Taylor gets upfield quickly and regularly runs through tackles. He’s athletic enough to threaten defenses vertically and runs a sophisticated route tree, gashing defenses over the middle of the field on in-breakers and taking the top off down the seam.
Against zone coverage, Taylor is especially dangerous. He has a natural feel for beating zones, finding soft spots and manipulating defenders. He knows how to adjust his routes and breaks to the coverage, getting open and moving the chains. In the red zone, he’s comfortable playing in traffic and securing passes through contact, high-pointing the football.
As a blocker, Taylor doesn’t offer a lot. He gets pushed back off the line too often, especially in the run game, although he’s a solid move blocker. As a pass-catcher, he can struggle against man coverage, as he lacks the athleticism to consistently beat single coverage on his own. Additionally, I do question how consistently he’ll be able to separate against man coverage in the NFL, but he should have no issues feasting against zone.
Although he’s probably a TE2 at the NFL level, Taylor can be a very good one. It wouldn’t shock me if he ended up leading a tight end rotation in his career. While he needs to develop more as a blocker, Taylor’s receiving chops will make him a desired commodity on Day 2, and some teams may even prefer him to Arroyo or Ferguson. As a move tight end, he offers a lot of schematic versatility and wins in multiple ways.
6: Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
A 6-5, 258-pound senior from Ohio, Evans backed up Raiders TE Michael Mayer for two seasons before taking over as the starter in 2023. He caught 29 passes in 2023 and bumped that up to 43 as a senior, becoming a key cog in the Fighting Irish’s offense en route to the College Football Playoff national championship game. Evans has been a model of consistency for Notre Dame as an upperclassman, providing the offense production in both phases when they need it.
Evans is a weapon over the middle of the field, with a large catch radius and strong hands in traffic. He displays a good feel for zone coverages, sitting down in soft spots and using leverage to open throwing windows. A contested catch guru, Evans can box out defenders and secure tough catches through contact. This skill is highlighted in the red zone, where Evans becomes a significant offensive threat.
For a player his size, Evans has decent burst and acceleration off the line, able to get to his spots quickly and threaten the seams and intermediate levels of the field. As a blocker, he can move people at the point of attack. His strong lower half gives him good leg drive, and he can use his long arms to connect with defenders and create lanes for rushers.
That said, his pass blocking is very hit-or-miss, with him looking stiff at times and unable to properly mirror edge rushers. Evans lacks the athleticism and hip flexibility to consistently threaten defenses against man coverage, especially considering his route tree isn’t properly developed. He relies on a few prescribed routes, such as seam and underneath targets, to win against man.
Evans is a good blocking tight end with some nice receiving ability as well. He doesn’t profile as an offensive star, but he’ll do everything you ask him to and make timely plays when needed. In a class with a lot of pure receivers at the tight end position, Evans will be attractive to teams looking for one with blocking upside, which Evans has in spades. He could fall towards the middle rounds due to his injury history, but he’s one of the most versatile and reliable tight ends in this class.
7: Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
A fan-favorite and breakout star of 2024, Fannin had the best statistical season of any tight end as a junior. With back-to-back first-team All-MAC awards and plenty of All-American nods after his monster 117-catch, 1,555-yard, 10-touchdown 2024 season, Fannin was the talk of college football fans when it came to small-school love. Deservedly so, as well, as Fannin was an absolute beast this year, building off what he accomplished as an underclassman and jumping on the NFL’s radar.
Measuring at 6-3, 241 pounds, Fannin spends a lot of his time in the slot and out wide. He can get down the field in a hurry, knowing how to beat coverage off the line and stack defenders on vertical routes. Crisp cuts and smooth transitions dot his tape, highlighting his plus athleticism and bend for the position. Fannin showcases some advanced route-running ability, with multiple head-fakes and different types of salesmanship in his bag.
After the catch is when he’s at his most dangerous, with receiver-like ability to hit creases, accelerate through holes, and force missed tackles. He has vise-like grips at the catch point, showcasing considerable hand strength on some of the toughest catches he makes. Notably, he’s shown flashes in perimeter blocking, specifically on screens, where he can hold his man and create space behind him.
The fact remains that Fannin is undersized for an NFL tight end. He lacks the size and strength to be a factor as an in-line blocker, and he occasionally gets bullied at the catch point. An acquiring NFL team would essentially need to use him as a jumbo receiver, but he still has plenty of utility there. My bigger concern is his college route tree. A lot of his production came on schemed underneath touches, allowing him to get the ball in space and make plays. Fannin won’t have a sizable athleticism advantage in the pros like he did in college, particularly in the MAC, and I question how much of his production can translate.
Fannin is undoubtedly a college superstar, and despite some of my concerns with his tape, he’s still got a lot of potential in the league. I’d rate him as a later-Day 2 or early-Day 3 option for a team looking for a slot receiver or move tight end, but he’ll be best used in a creative offensive system that won’t ask him to perform traditional tight end duties. In the right hands, Fannin can be a dangerous weapon at the next level.
8: Gunnar Helm, Texas
Hailing from Cherry Creek, Colorado, Helm was a three-star recruit out of high school and didn’t get much run his first few years in Austin. As a junior, he was honorable mention All-Big 12 despite making just 14 catches on the year, playing behind Ja’Tavion Sanders. In 2024 with Sanders now on the Panthers, Helm broke out in a big way with 58 catches for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, earning first-team All-SEC honors and becoming a real NFL prospect.
At 6-5, 241 pounds, Helm stands out from the pack with his ability to threaten defenses vertically. He’s a sure-handed receiver, with natural hand-eye coordination to secure passes on the move and from difficult positions. Most tight ends can’t run routes the way Helm can, as he stresses defenses with the separation he generates, particularly on downfield routes. Watching the tape, I was impressed with how consistently he made big downfield catches, some contested and others wide open thanks to his ability to break free from coverage.
Helm isn’t the most elusive runner, but he can break tackles and make plays with the ball in his hands. He eats zone coverages alive, routinely finding soft spots in the defense to settle down and stay open. A trained understanding of defensive tendencies permeates his game, as he knows how to win leverage battles on routes and how to manipulate zones to create space for himself and others. Helm can line up all over the formation, as well, with wins on tape all over the field.
Where Helm struggles more is as a blocker, though there is some hope for his development here. He’s got the size and frame you want to see for a blocking tight end, but he doesn’t translate that into functional power at the point of attack. In the run game, he doesn’t consistently win one-on-one, and he gets overpowered when trying to pass protect. He also isn’t quite the athlete the players above him are, raising potential concerns about his ability to win against man coverage in the NFL, given the athletes he’ll be facing.
An early Day 3 prospect, Helm has a lot of translatable skills that modern offenses covet. He ran an alarming 4.83 40-yard dash at the Combine, but sprained his ankle on his first run, leading to the poor time. Reportedly, he runs in the low 4.7s or high 4.6s in training, which is a perfectly fine number. He’s a chess piece in the receiving game, where you can deploy him in a variety of formations and ask him to provide consistent production. Sure hands and smart route running give him a solid floor as a prospect, and I like his upside as a blocker. There’s potential here for a three-down offensive contributor.
9: Jake Briningstool, Clemson
An unheralded tight end from Tennessee, Briningstool has quietly put together two excellent seasons for the Tigers. Checking in at 6-6, 241, he caught 50 passes for 498 yards and five touchdowns as a junior, bumping those numbers to 49 catches for 530 yards and seven touchdowns his senior season. He earned third-team All-ACC honors both seasons and got a Senior Bowl invite to continue to showcase his abilities in the lead-up to the Draft.
The downfield passing game is elevated with Briningstool on the field. He has the speed to stretch the defense and threaten vertically, especially on the seams. With true 6-6 height and long arms, he has a massive catch radius, snatching in passes over the middle of the field. Briningstool lined up across the formation at Clemson, comfortable releasing from the slot or out wide.
Smooth routes and clean breaks are all over Briningstool’s tape. He runs a full route tree and displays advanced skills running those routes, utilizing fakes and choppy feet to sell defenses and get himself open. That route-running ability translates against both man and zone defenders, capable of breaking open against either.
Unfortunately, Briningstool is limited as a blocker. His lean frame is almost gangly in nature — he doesn’t possess the natural leverage or power to be effective. He doesn’t always catch passes cleanly, letting the ball get into his pads a little too often. Additionally, he’s not a quick-twitch athlete, limiting his effectiveness against tight man coverage and after the catch.
Briningstool has his limitations, but he’s also a legitimate threat to burn the defense on any play. His route-running will translate, as will his ability to break down a defense up the seam. While he’s unlikely to significantly improve as a blocker, I like what he brings to the table in the receiving game, as he can be a reliable target to convert on third down and in the red zone. That has value, and he can be a good mid-round pick.
10: Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
A 6-5, 243-pound senior from Florida, Gadsden moved from wide receiver to tight end prior to his sophomore season in 2022. The move was transformative for him, setting multiple school records in 2022 on his way to a first-team All-ACC selection. Though a Lisfranc injury cut his junior year short, he returned with a vengeance in 2024, once again earning first-team All-ACC nods and headlining the Orange’s passing attack. Between his two All-ACC seasons, he had 134 catches for 1,903 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Gadsden is a pure receiving threat at tight end, but he’s exceptional at what he does. He deals much of his damage from the slot, where he can use his bigger frame in mismatches against slot cornerbacks and safeties. When matched up against linebackers, he’s too quick for them, gashing defenses for chunks of yardage downfield. He’s an elite speed threat for a tight end, with legitimate deep-field usage and easy acceleration off the line.
Lateral agility is not a problem for Gadsden. He’s an advanced route runner, using his smooth hips to wheel and cut on a dime. Strong hands and long arms let him compete for passes in tough situations, such as over the middle of the field and on back-shoulder sideline throws. After the catch, he almost turns into a running back, with legitimate moves and tackle-breaking capabilities with the ball in his hands.
For all his strengths as a receiver, Gadsden could struggle to see the field in the NFL because he’s simply not a blocker. He lacks the size and strength to be a factor in the running game, as he can’t drive people off the line and often gets moved back himself. In pass protection, he’s not good for much more than chipping off his routes. He is a pure Y-tight end, a move weapon that can line up across the formation, and he can do serious damage there.
Though he showed up to the Combine heavier than expected, I’d be surprised if Gadsden plays at 243 in the NFL. If he’s committed to transforming his body and improving as a blocker, it could change his entire scouting report, but I’d be concerned that the extra weight hampers his speed and agility. As a big slot, Gadsden is extremely productive, but he’s not a traditional tight end. He’ll get drafted, but he could slip to the later parts of Day 3, as NFL teams may not know where he fits on the field.
The Next Five
11 — Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech:
An old-school tight end from Salt Lake City, Hawes measures in at 6-4 and a half, 253 pounds. His money will be made in the blocking game, where he dominates playing the “sixth offensive lineman” role. In the run game, Hawes moves people at the point of attack, driving them off the line of scrimmage and paving lanes behind him. He’s great in space and uses steady, powerful sets in pass pro to maintain his balance. Though he doesn’t catch many passes, he has reliable hands and can catch dump-offs and red zone targets.
Hawes isn’t a complete zero in the receiving department, but he won’t add a lot of value there. His is an easy projection, and I expect he’ll have a long career as a blocking specialist. Teams that run a lot of 12 personnel will be intrigued with Hawes’ profile, as he can provide in-line value as a blocker and release to pick up first downs. I don’t foresee him being more than a TE3 in the NFL, but he should carve out a valuable role wherever he lands.
12 — CJ Dippre, Alabama:
A 6-5, 256-pound prospect from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Dippre started his collegiate career at Maryland before playing two years for the Crimson Tide. He has a weightlifting background and takes a lot of pride in his blocking, always looking to play through the whistle and finish blocks in the turf. In pass protection, he anchors well, using his stout frame to hold up against edge rushers. As a receiver, he has good feel against zone coverage, locating soft spots to make himself available to his quarterback. He’s fast enough to threaten the seam and gets north/south quickly after making a catch.
Most of Dippre’s utility in the NFL will be as a blocker. He’s not much of a route runner and he had a consistent drop problem in college, bringing his reliability as a weapon in the pass game into question. Limited fluidity as an athlete caps his ceiling, and he’s still learning to clean up his technique as a pass blocker. But that said, Dippre projects well as a TE3 in the NFL with the potential to develop into a TE2.
13 — Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech:
Uber-athletic and with a tantalizing skillset, the 6-3 and a half, 260-pound Conyers is every bit the physical specimen NFL teams are looking for. He’s a mismatch against almost every defender he faces — too quick for linebackers, too big for defensive backs. He has natural receiving skills and sharp route-running chops, able to generate separation and secure tough catches. After the catch, he is more elusive than most tight ends, able to create additional yardage on his own.
Without a ton of experience as an inline blocker, Conyers is still developing those skills. He’s not a negative there, just not really a positive either. Adding to his route tree will be key to his continued improvement, as will simply gaining more experience. Much of his game is a work-in-progress, but I like his upside as a developmental TE3.
14 — Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss:
Checking in at 6-6, 255 pounds, Prieskorn is a versatile weapon at tight end. Equally effective as a blocker and receiver, he plays with sound technique and strong fundamentals, moving well in space and sustaining his blocks. He has strong hands and a wide catch radius, snaring passes outside his frame and fighting through contested catches. Best deployed on short and intermediate routes, Prieskorn settles into soft spots in the zone to create quick yards and easy first downs.
Prieskorn’s potential has always outpaced his production. He doesn’t have the athleticism to be a major plus in the receiving game, lacking the top speed to threaten a defense deep and the burst and wiggle to break free from man coverage. As a blocker, his technique is lacking at times, leading to trouble sustaining blocks. But there’s something to work with here, and a team looking for a depth tight end to develop might be intrigued by Prieskorn’s skillset.
15 — Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina:
A 6-5, 238-pound receiving tight end, Nesbit is an excellent route runner with soft hands. He gains consistent separation against both man and zone coverages, baiting defenders with fakes and cutting sharply to create space. His ability to utilize his short-area quickness lets him win immediately off the snap from multiple alignments, and he’s sure-handed enough to make tough catches away from his frame and over the middle of the field.
Nesbit is essentially a less productive, slower Gadsden. They’re similar players, but Gadsden is more athletic and fluid in space, giving him higher upside in the league. That said, Nesbit is more comfortable playing in-line, though he’s every bit the negative as a blocker that Gadsden is. Nesbit may have a hard time finding a role in the league, but he’ll have a chance to succeed as a move-tight end that can make plays in space and create easy yards for the offense.
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