The 2025 NFL Draft is still months away, but the top and bottom of the class have already begun to separate. The top of the TE rankings is far from a surprise, but the rest of the top 10 deserve our attention.
2025 Draft TE Rankings | 10-1
NFL Draft rankings remain fluid as we gather more information through the all-star circuit, pro days, and NFL Combine. Yet, the film is the film, and when it comes to the 2025 NFL Draft TE rankings, there likely won’t be much movement before April.
TEs Just Outside the Top 10
- Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL)
- Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
- C.J. Dippre, Alabama
- Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
- Luke Lachey, Iowa
10) Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh Panthers
Gavin Bartholomew has four years of experience under this belt, but he’ll be just 22 years old during his rookie season. While inconsistent QB performance and play-calling capped the 6’5″ and 250-pound TE’s statistical output, he still generated a 105-1,257-11 receiving line throughout his career.
The Panthers used him as a low aDOT/YAC threat in his freshman and senior campaigns, but in between them, he served as a vertical/over-the-middle threat, highlighting his versatility.
9) Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss Rebels
Caden Prieskorn began his career as primarily an inline TE for the Memphis Tigers. But after his 48-reception, 602-yard, and seven-TD breakout season in 2022, he transferred to the Ole Miss Rebels and lived in the slot.
His longer arms, ball skills, and solid overall athleticism lend to a positive draft profile, but his utilization at Ole Miss will differ vastly from where the NFL will likely place him. That said, his versatility and willingness as a blocker maintain a decently high floor.
8) Jake Briningstool, Clemson Tigers
At 6’6″ and 240 pounds, Jake Briningstool isn’t — and likely won’t be — a strong blocker, but he makes up for it in the receiving game. He fits the new-age mold of the big or power slot, using his size to bully smaller defenders while owning the athleticism to make linebackers pay.
MORE: Simulate the College Football Season With CFN’s College Football Playoff Predictor
His vertical speed isn’t elite, but he has enough juice to threaten the seams and pick up yards after the catch. Clemson’s offense didn’t feature Briningstool all that often, but it did — 7-104-1 line vs. Wake Forest and 7-100-2 line vs. App State — it was clear he’s an NFL-level talent.
7) Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse Orange
Speaking of big slots … that’s Oronde Gadsden II’s middle name!
Gadsden has a tweener build at 6’5″ and 236 pounds and can often be mistaken for a full-blown WR. Yet, the Syracuse Orange deployed him far more inline this season. His strong hands (just seven career drops), contested-catch ability, and consistency in moving the chains will make him a sought-after chess piece come April.
6) Terrance Ferguson, Oregon Ducks
Will Terrance Ferguson moss, run over, or break defenders’ ankles? Not routinely. His lack of explosiveness and creativity with the ball in his hands will lead to some analysts dropping him down rankings, but there value in being “boring.”
That means your consistent at what you do, and there will always be a place in the NFL for TEs who simply get the job done. He holds his own as a blocker, will pick up first downs as a receiver, and even comes with special teams experience.
Mason Taylor may not be elite in any one area, but like Ferguson, he’s an all-around prospect. As a move TE who can block, he’ll fit most teams’ mold at the position. He has some wiggle on the move, showcases easy-to-see awareness against zone, and simply wins at the catch point.
4) Gunnar Helm, Texas Longhorns
Gunnar Helm won’t “wow” as a blocker, lacking the raw power to move men against their will. Yet, it’s not for a lack of effort, and he has proper technique. But where he really shines is as a pass catcher. Having only one year of standout production — 55-668-6 and counting — could cause some to shy away.
However, what he’s done in 2024 is nothing short of spectacular. Helm can route up defenders from any alignment and has the innate ability to make defenders miss for yards after the catch.
3) Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Falcons
- Most single-season receptions by a TE in FBS history: 117, Harold Fannin Jr.
- Most single-season receiving yards by a TE in FBS history: 1,555, Harold Fannin Jr.
The Bowling Green Falcons’ GOAT is a force to be reckoned with — just ask Penn State and Texas A&M. He’s a stocky 6’4″ and 240 pounds but moves with eye-popping contact balance and has the route-running skills to impact every level of the field. His run blocking is nothing to write home about, but any deficiencies he has there are made up for down the field.
2) Colston Loveland, Michigan Wolverines
Colston Loveland was J.J. McCarthy’s safety net in 2023, as the first-round pick often looked the TE’s way on key downs (45-649-4 receiving line). Tight ends rarely reach their potential at the collegiate level, but Michigan knew how to use their height/weight/speed threat, often lining him up in the slot and allowing him to devour smaller slot defenders and slower linebackers.
Exhibit A: Loveland more than doubled the production of any other pass catcher on the roster with a 56-582-5 line this year.
1) Tyler Warren, Penn State Nittany Lions
TEs don’t come much more dynamic than Penn State’s Tyler Warren, who has taken snaps in the wildcat, inline, in the slot, and out wide. He has the size, strength, and explosiveness to thrive in any role, similar to George Kittle.
MORE: Take the College Football Network Mock Draft Simulator for a spin!
Warren may be stiffer than others in the class, slightly limiting his route tree, yet his long arms increase his catch radius, and his physical nature leads to impressive run and pass-blocking reps.
Oh, and he can throw, too!
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.