Zak Drapeau's Top 10 Tight Ends 2025 NFL Draft
- Zak Drapeau
- 2 hours ago
- 6 min read
The 2025 Tight End class is one with a bit of contention about the quality and depth. The Top-2 are without question two of the best TE prospects we've seen over the past decade or at least amongst the Top-10 of that group.
The calling card for this year's TE class is great receivers without much blocking upside. With many draft experts and media personnel claiming this is one of the best positions in the class, I have to respectfully disagree because of the blocking. Not to say many of the prospects won't have use in the NFL but most of these players, (after the Top-5) will need to be in a scheme-dependent pass heavy offense and will need some luck to see any serious playing time.
Nonetheless the top of this class has a real spark to it especially Warren and Loveland. Arroyo and Taylor are also premier receiving talents. With 4 or more TEs likely to go in the first 2 rounds, this class is very top heavy with a few diamonds in the rough that could go in the later rounds.
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1. Tyler Warren
Penn State 6'6" 256 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 6
Archetype: All-Around
From a projected 3rd round pick before the season started to my #6 prospect, Tyler Warren had himself a YEAR. A gadget player in Penn State, Warren lined up at 6 different positions and succeeded at all of them. A natural in-line TE in the pros, Warren has a mean streak while blocking that separates him from the rest of the pack. As a receiver, Warren shows good route running and ok separation but his best quality is his run-after catch ability. If Warren was 30 pounds lighter he would still be shifty after the catch, but add his 6'6", 256-pound frame and you have a unicorn with the ball in his hands. If he continues his progression in the route running, Warren will be as close to a perfect all-around TE as we have in the league in a very short time.
Pro Comp: Greg Olsen
Draft Projection: Top-15 Picks
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2. Colston Loveland
Michigan 6'6" 248 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 14
Archetype: Slot
Loveland was the TE1 before the season started and rose on the big board from my original projections. Loveland is the best pass catcher in this class and ranks above many WRs in that notion too. Projecting as a Slot TE at the NFL level, Loveland is only average as a run blocker so his true potential as an inline TE isn't very high. Still, Loveland is amongst the new age of slot TEs and is comparable to Brock Bowers in that way, but a bit taller and not quite as agile. Loveland will be successful in any scheme in the NFL but will thrive most on a team willing to keep him off the line that possibly has another blocking TE on the roster already.
Pro Comp: Kyle Pitts
Draft Projection: Round 1
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3. Mason Taylor
LSU 6'5" 251 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 60
Archetype: Inline
Getting into what I'd call Tier 2, Taylor barely etches out Elijah Arroyo by having a better floor with no injury history. The truth is both are great at finding space within the defense with great hands and creative after the catch. Taylor has shown good route running as well with a finesse core of moves after the catch. Taylor will never be a strong blocker at the next level but he will have a very good receiving upside that will keep him fighting for a starting role for years to come.
Pro Comp: Tucker Kraft
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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4. Elijah Arroyo
Miami 6'5" 250 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 65
Archetype: Inline
Arroyo has a better potential than Taylor but his floor is much lower. Not to say he doesn't deserve a 2nd round pick, Arroyo's pass catching is truly special and is even a willing blocker. Arroyo's knee injury past is definitely concerning but something that rarely effected him this past season and didn't raise any flags at the NFL Combine or Senior Bowl. Still, Arroyo's athleticism will never be such that would make him a 1st round talent but is good enough to pair with his great IQ and defensive awareness to keep him in Tier 2 of the position.
Pro Comp: Jonnu Smith
Draft Projection: Round 2-3
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5. Terrance Ferguson
Oregon 6'5" 247 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 90
Archetype: Possession
Ferguson's size and route running will make him a good slot weapon in the pros and his size and willingness to block give him a potential inline ability as well. Ferguson's problem is his low ceiling as just a inline or slot safety option without the speed to every be a vertical threat. If teams are looking for a Round 3 receiving option with a low upside but immediate safety net potential, Ferguson may be the perfect fit. If he adds a few pounds of muscle and works on maintaining his blocks, he could be a strong TE2 in the league.
Pro Comp: Shades of Zach Ertz
Draft Projection: Round 3-4
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6. Harold Fannin Jr.
Bowling Green 6'3" 241 lbs.
Big Board Rank: 109
Archetype: Vertical Threat
Fannin Jr. has a very interesting play style he will take to the NFL with his ability to create mismatches at different positions. His frame will limit his potential as a true inline TE but his blocking is good enough to make up for it on occasion. The truth is Fannin has a lot of potential but will be extremely scheme-dependent in reaching that potential. With his size limitations, Fannin's floor is nothing more than a rotational TE3 or possibly a fullback if he is willing to make the transition.
Pro Comp: Will Dissly
Draft Projection: Round 3-5
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7. Mitchell Evans
Notre Dame 6'5" 258 lbs.
Archetype: All-Around
Mitchell Evans can be clarified as a high-floor, medium potential guy with a lot of experience at Notre Dame and a great locker room attitude. As one of the best blockers in this class, (3rd of these Top-10) and a decent athlete to boot, Evans will be a reliable TE2 from Day 1 and can be used in run-blocking and play action schemes alike. His potential as a pass catcher is limited because of inconsistent route knowledge but he is a determined football player and I wouldn't be surprised to see him gain the skill later on in his career.
Pro Comp: Josh Oliver
Draft Projection: Day 3
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8. Gunnar Helm
Texas 6'5" 241 lbs.
Archetype: Vertical Threat
Helm has one of the best receiving upsides in this draft but lacks the tools to be an effective blocker. After a 60-786-7 season at Texas, Helm showed good hands and a grimy mentality that makes him perfect to do the dirty work in the short game, (red zone catches, catches in traffic and pick plays.) With such a high potential as a pass catcher, his downfall is any kind of blocking and his subpar route running. Helm doesn't have the strength or the mechanics to ever become a really effective inline TE but he has the receiving prowess to still make a good TE2 in the right scheme and if a team doesn't mind his lack of blocking, has the slight potential to become a Brock Bowers-like slot.
Pro Comp: Jake Ferguson
Draft Projection: Rounds 3-5
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9. Oronde Gadsden II
Syracuse 6'5" 243 lbs.
Archetype: Slot
Gadsden lined up a lot in the slot at Syracuse and along Kyle McCord, flourished in the role. A slimmer build TE who's play strength and blocking mechanics are too weak to imagine a role on the line, but his size and explosiveness could translate well into a slot role. Creating mismatches all around, Gadsden's potential as a TE at any position will be reliant on him picking a position and sticking with it to improve his efficiency there. If he stays at TE he will need to build strength for blocking. If he means to be a slot receiver, he will need to work diligently on route running. As of now, he is solely a developmental late-round flyer.
Pro Comp: Shades of Isaiah Likely
Draft Projection: Day 3
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10. C.J. Dippre
Alabama 6'5" 256 lbs.
Archetype: Blocking
For the final spot on this list, C.J. Dippre is a TE i am more fond of then most. As a natural blocker and a great athlete, Dippre has the floor of a TE2 with some natural tools that makes his receiving potential viable in the NFL. Dippre will be 22 years old at the start or next season and has shown moderate progress in 3 years starting at the pro level. With good agility and strength, Dippre will need to improve drastically at route running which is indeed possible with NFL coaching.
Pro Comp: Andrew Ogletree
Draft Projection: Day 3
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