Next Gen TEs: Ranking the Top Tight End Prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft
The tight end position is evolving in the NFL. No longer are teams solely reliant on these players for blocking; they’re now dynamic receiving threats who can stretch the field and create mismatches. As we look ahead to the 2025 NFL Draft, several exciting tight end prospects are poised to make an impact. In fact, eight of the league’s 32 first-round selections in the previous draft were wide receivers and tight ends, highlighting the importance of pass-catching prowess. This year, Penn State’s Tyler Warren is projected as a potential top-10 pick.
Here’s a breakdown of the top tight end prospects who could be game-changers at the next level:
1. Tyler Warren (Penn State)
Tyler Warren is the consensus top tight end in the 2025 NFL Draft. Standing at 6’6″ and weighing 256 pounds, Warren possesses a rare blend of size, athleticism, and versatility. In 2024, Warren made history at Penn State, setting single-game, single-season, and career receiving records for a tight end. He tied for second in the FBS with a Penn State-record 104 receptions and set new program marks for tight end receiving yards (1,233) and career receptions (153), yards (1,839), and touchdowns (19). Some analysts have even drawn comparisons to future Hall of Famer Rob Gronkowski, noting Warren’s unique combination of size, agility, strength, and body control.
Scouting Report: Warren is a do-it-all tight end who any coach would love to input into their offense. He isn’t a twitchy or flexible athlete who can unlock the whole route tree, but his versatility is incredibly valuable in the run-and-pass games. He is worthy of a first-round selection. He has the size to be a Y (blocking) tight end as well as the speed and athleticism to be an F (receiving) tight end.
2. Colston Loveland (Michigan)
Colston Loveland is another highly touted tight end prospect. At 6’6″ and 248 pounds, Loveland is known for his exceptional pass-catching abilities and smooth route running. Despite missing three games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury, Loveland set the single-season record for catches by a tight end at Michigan. He was a finalist for the Mackey Award, which goes to the top tight end in the nation, and received Second-Team All-American honors.
Scouting Report: Loveland lacks the density to play as an inline tight end consistently in the NFL, but he brings plenty of value as a tall, long pass catcher with natural hands and crisp routes to line up as a big slot or “X” receiver. He also has some versatility to play attached to the line of scrimmage in certain situations.
3. Mason Taylor (LSU)
Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, has carved his own path to NFL stardom. The LSU standout set records for career catches (129) and receiving yards (1,308), becoming the most productive tight end in LSU annals. In 2024, he broke the LSU single-season mark for tight end catches with 55 and earned 3rd-Team All-SEC honors.
Scouting Report: Taylor is just a big, tough tight end who works hard to sustain in the run game and who presents his quarterback with a big target and a reliable pair of hands underneath. Taylor was asked to execute various blocking assignments and line up all over the offense in school, so as a three-year SEC starter with pro bloodlines, the level of polish is about what you’d expect.
4. Elijah Arroyo (Miami)
Elijah Arroyo is a dynamic receiving tight end with the potential to be a game-changer in the NFL. After battling injuries in both 2022 and 2023, he exploded in 2024, leading Miami’s tight ends with 35 receptions for 590 yards and 7 touchdowns. His size/speed combination makes him a difficult matchup for opposing defenses.
Scouting Report: Arroyo is a receiving tight end through and through who can line up as a wingback and in the slot. An NFL team hoping for a consistent blocker will be disappointed, though. If given a chance to show off his all-around athleticism, he can be a contributor as a big slot type.
5. Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)
Harold Fannin Jr. is a rising star in the tight end ranks. Fannin is a strong receiving tight end with great value after the catch. His blocking reps are good enough to keep him inline as a TE2 or as a wingback on occasion, but his bread and butter in the NFL will be as a tight end who you can quickly get the ball to for after-the-catch production in a tight end-centric passing attack.
Combine Results:
* Height: 6-3
* Weight: 241
* 40-yard Dash: 4.71 seconds
Other Notable Prospects
- Gunnar Helm (Texas): Helm had a breakout 2024 season for Texas, earning 2nd-Team All-SEC honors and setting single-season records for a tight end with 60 receptions and 786 receiving yards.
- Terrance Ferguson (Oregon): Ferguson was a good contributor for the Ducks in 2024, hauling in 43 receptions for 591 yards with three touchdowns.
- Mitchell Evans (Notre Dame): Evans led Notre Dame in receptions in back-to-back seasons (2023–2024), becoming just the third tight end in program history with 400+ receiving yards in consecutive years, joining Michael Mayer and Tyler Eifert.
- Benjamin Yurosek (Georgia): Yurosek brings adequate all-around NFL ability for the position (best as a move tight end), especially if he can put on 5-10 pounds.
The 2025 NFL Draft is shaping up to be a showcase of next-level tight end talent. These prospects bring a diverse range of skills to the table, from exceptional receiving abilities to dominant blocking. As teams continue to prioritize versatility and athleticism at the tight end position, these players are sure to be highly sought after.