2025 NFL Draft: Rookie Tight End Rankings | Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, Gunnar Helm and More

As we get closer to the 2025 NFL Draft, it's time to start doing our pre-draft position rankings.

We'll be breaking down the film of all the players at the key fantasy positions to get you ready for the NFL Draft, dynasty rookie drafts, and you're 2025 fantasy football season. These are the top six tight ends in this year's class. 

1. Tyler Warren, Penn State Nittany Lions

We have been spoiled the last few seasons with elite pass-catching tight ends entering the league and being picked high in the NFL Draft.

We've seen guys like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers come in and immediately dominate the league with end production like we've never seen from the position. Warren is that tight end this year.

He is an elite-level pass-catcher and will become an instant dangerous weapon in the NFL. Holding him to the same statistical standard as Bowers and LaPorta isn't fair to anyone and the landing spot has a lot to do with that as well. However, if he does land in the right offense, he has the ability to put up that same kind of production we've seen out of those star tight ends the past two seasons. 

2. Colston Loveland, Michigan Wolverines

Loveland is an incredible athlete and tight end but is a distant second at tight end in this draft. Warren is just that far ahead.

We have Loveland just barely ahead of the No. 3 spot in a solid TE class. His athleticism, strong hands, and ability to create separation jump off the screen when you watch his film. He is a versatile weapon who can make the tough, traditional tight end plays over the middle but also stretch the seam as a vertical threat.

You can tell that he has a basketball background the way he boxes out defenders and becomes a matchup nightmare, whether he's going full speed or just physically beating you to the ball. The thing that could hold him back early in his career are his struggles in both run blocking and pass protection.  

3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami Hurricanes

Arroyo projects as another potential stud pass-catching tight end in the NFL. He's a strong route runner who has a knack for finding holes and soft spots in the defensive secondary.

This is another versatile player who can both make the tough plays over the middle or stretch the seam for a big play. Defenders don't want to see him with the ball in his hand after the catch because he is a big, athletic man who will fight for extra yards. His game is more mature than Loveland, which could make him better out of the gates but potentially limit how much he can still grow. 

4. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green Falcons

Fannin is grouped in with Loveland and Arroyo before a significant dropoff after him. He does everything well as a pass-catcher.

His film shows an elite route runner with fantastic hands and a dynamic athlete once he gets the ball in his hands. The glaring issue he has is the fact that he is extremely undersized for an NFL tight end.

At just 230 pounds, he's 15 to 30 pounds lighter than every other tight end we have listed. Oddly enough, he's also one of the better blockers on this list, which is what allows us to still rank him so high. On film, he looks like a player who could overcome his lack of size and become a dynamic weapon on the next level. 

5. Mason Taylor, LSU Tigers

Taylor is a fluid athlete with impressive pass-catching abilities. However, he is also a raw player who needs to add a lot to his game in the NFL.

He won't be able to just out-athlete everyone when he's facing NFL defenders. There is no questioning his hands, toughness, and big play upside. With that said, he also struggles when he's not faced with a zone coverage, is a poor blocker, and may struggle to create separation due to unrefined route tempo and lack of short area explosion.  

6. Gunnar Helm, Texas Longhorns

Helm is more NFL-ready than any of the players listed above him. He does everything well both as a pass-catcher and he's a strong blocker.

His route running is elite and his hands are outstanding. Unfortunately, he simply lacks the elite speed and athleticism as some of the other guys in this draft while also lacking high-end play strength. It's only physical limitations holding him back not any kind of hole in his game otherwise. Don't be surprised if he ends up a reliable NFL tight end for a long time.