Unsurprisingly for a role that is as varied as it comes, the 2025 tight end class has split opinion with multiple prospects reportedly atop the draft boards of different NFL teams. Our 2025 NFL Draft TE Rankings examine which college football players have the potential to dominate at the professional level.
Top 10 TEs in the 2025 NFL Draft
10) Joshua Simon, South Carolina
Joshua Simon is a physically imposing tight end with a blend of size, athleticism, and receiving upside. He presents a big target over the middle and is effective at boxing out defenders to secure contested catches. Simon flashes smooth hands and body control, particularly on seam routes and red zone opportunities.
He’s also a willing blocker with the strength to engage defensive ends, though his technique and pad level can be inconsistent. While he shows flashes of big-play potential, his route running lacks sharpness and he doesn’t consistently create separation. Improving consistency and polish will be key to unlocking his full impact.
9) Oronde Gadsen II, Syracuse
Oronde Gadsden II doesn’t have much in-line blocking experience or utility, but he can be a stellar pass-game role player. Gadsden — the son of a former NFL standout receiver of the same name — first broke onto the scene with a 975-yard season in 2022.
A Lisfranc injury derailed his 2023 campaign, but he returned with a vengeance in 2024, logging 73 catches for 934 yards and seven scores. At 6’5″ and 243 pounds, with over 33″ arms, Gadsden has the size and athleticism of a big-slot hybrid.
He has solid size-adjusted speed and great short-area energy, and while his early-down outlook is fairly limited, he can be a target funnel for pass-heavy teams.
8) Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Mitchell Evans is a reliable, physical tight end who thrives as both a blocker and a possession receiver. He plays with toughness and technique, making him a dependable asset in the run game and in pass protection.
As a receiver, Evans has strong hands and works well in traffic, using his frame to shield defenders and move the chains. He’s especially effective on short and intermediate routes, showing good awareness and timing. While he competes hard after the catch, he lacks the burst and agility to consistently create separation or generate big plays. His top-end athleticism is limited, capping his upside.
7) Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
He doesn’t always get the same flowers as the top tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft class, but Terrance Ferguson is one of the most well-rounded prospects this cycle. He’s coming off a stellar 2024 campaign at Oregon — 43 catches for 591 yards, with three touchdowns — in which he showed he can be productive in the pros.
At 6’5″ and 247 pounds, Ferguson was one of the fastest and most explosive testers at the NFL Combine, and that athleticism shows up on film. His acceleration is more powerful than energetic, but he’s a nuanced separator, as well as a solid RAC threat and dutiful blocker.
An emphasis for Ferguson at the NFL level should be limiting focus drops over the middle. But, looking at the full checklist, Ferguson fills the boxes. Plus, he has an elite athletic profile to build upon.
6) Gunnar Helm, Texas
Gunnar Helm is a well-rounded tight end whose functional athleticism and stout frame allow him to succeed as a pass catcher and a blocker. The Texas Longhorns prospect is a nuanced route runner in short areas, using his quick footwork and build-up speed to compete through the catch. His large catch radius and ball skills also allow him to win in contested catch situations.
At 6’5” and 241 pounds, Helm is also a functional blocker, and his reliable technique, low stance, and toughness can prevent defenders from impacting the pocket.
5) Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL)
Heading into the 2024 season, Elijah Arroyo had just 11 career catches in three years at Miami. Catching passes from potential No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, Arroyo broke out and amassed 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven TDs, averaging 16.9 yards per catch. Injuries impacted Arroyo’s availability earlier in his career, but now that he’s proven his ability when healthy, he has legitimate Top 100 potential.
He’s one of the most explosive athletes in the TE class, with a well-built frame at 6’5″ and 250 pounds, with 33″ arms. Right now, Arroyo makes his money as a pass-game weapon — particularly on the vertical plane and up seams. His play strength and sturdiness as an in-line blocker can be an issue. But all of the tools are there to develop, and there’s a path for him to produce early on.
4) Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
No prospect was more productive in the 2024 season than Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin Jr. He led all FBS pass-catchers — wide receivers and tight ends — in catches and receiving yards, with 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 scores.
Not only did Fannin feast against MAC opponents, but he also proved himself against his toughest foes, like Penn State and Texas A&M. Fannin’s production has made him a darling of the NFL Draft community, and it points to his translatable pass-catching skill set.
He’ll never be a great factor as a blocker, and he’s not an elite size-adjusted athlete, but Fannin is sudden and savvy as a route runner and RAC threat, and he’s physical and reliable with his hand-usage across phases. At his maximum, he can be a route-running and RAC specialist in the mold of Jordan Reed.
3) Mason Taylor, LSU
Mason Taylor lacks college production, but his projection to the next level is clear. At 6’5” and 251 pounds, the LSU Tiger is a traditional tight end. He is both a mean blocker and a reliable pass catcher.
As a pass catcher, Taylor is refined in his route running and shows innate intelligence to exploit zone coverage. He is able to create separation with fluid athleticism, and his clean hands allow him to be a reliable chain mover. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, the Tigers’ weapon has untapped potential at the next level.
2) Colston Loveland, Michigan
- Selected by the Chicago Bears
- 10th overall selection
- First tight end selected
Colston Loveland is right in the thick of the TE1 conversation, and in any class without Brock Bowers or Tyler Warren, Loveland would very likely be the unequivocal TE1. Injuries and incompetent quarterback play impacted Loveland’s production in 2024, and yet, he still achieved a career-high 56 catches and five touchdowns, while racking up 582 yards.
While Warren is more complete, Loveland has the higher pass-game ceiling. At 6’6″ and almost 250 pounds, Loveland moves with truly logic-defying flexibility and bend, which lends itself to elite route-running ability. His route tree is all-encompassing, leveraging razor-sharp instincts, with unmatched athleticism that makes him a mismatch nightmare.
1) Tyler Warren, Penn State
- Selected by the Indianapolis Colts
- 14th overall selection
- Second tight end selected
Tyler Warren is best categorized as an offensive weapon rather than purely a tight end. The spearhead of the Penn State offense, Warren is a dynamic playmaker and wins in several different ways.
The 6’6”, 256-pound prospect is highly versatile. He has an expansive route tree as a receiver and can also work out of the backfield. Plus, he can throw the ball, too. As a receiver, Warren has exceptional athleticism to create instant separation. His large catch radius and instinctual ball tracking allow him to anticipate on deep routes, while he can step and shed blockers in short areas to move the chains.
Meanwhile, Warren is a willing blocker with the hot motor, intensity, and physicality to overpower defenders.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in football, basketball, and more!
