In last year’s draft, the tight end Block Bowers were selected as the first team All-Pro, and came in 10th for the Raiders to score arguably the best season at tight ends in the first year in NFL history. He is a unicorn at the University of Georgia, and the talent he showed at university has seamlessly moved to professionals.
This time there are two extremely talented players at the top of the tight end position, but when he comes out they have yet to reach the Bowers. I especially like this tight end class for the talent you can find after round one. NFL teams should be able to find contributors to the draft well.
Well, enough Chitchat. Let’s go ahead and jump in!
10. Jackson Haws, Georgia Institute of Technology
If Hose could showcase more reception capabilities in Georgia Institute of Technologyhe will probably be higher on this list. Because he is a genuine tail kicker as a run blocker. Unfortunately, the NFL teams are a little more athletic and receive chops, as they prefer tight ends. Hawes is a throwback type with little value as a pass catcher, but when asked to drill holes for his running back, he gives you 110% effort. He brings everything he has to touch and drives consistently through his man. He wants to finish defenders muddy with all play, all play, the attitude that every team wants to add to their roster.
9. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Evans fought injuries early in his career, but managed to stay relatively healthy in his final year with the Irish. He has an ideal size (6’5, 258 pounds) and is fairly well tested at the NFL Combine and his school’s pro day (4.72 40 hours).
Though he doesn’t have the elite character that stands out in Evans’ games, he is a well-balanced tight end who led his team to one of the best records in the country and helped him make his appearance in the college football playoffs. Evans is a sure target for his quarterback, surpassing the seams in the middle and above. He pushes his face mask into his opponent and makes a high effort as a blocker.
8. Jake Briningstoll, Clemson
At 6’6 and 241 pounds, the BringingStool is a tall, lean tight end with arms (31 3/4 inches) and small hands (sub 8 inches). He bent over half of the snaps as a slot receiver and won as a long offensive stretcher. He leaves Clemson as the program’s greatest leader ever at a tight end career reception at 127.
Like Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki, BriningStool is a modern “F” tight end and is often not used as a run blocker. However, he demonstrated his efforts as a “moving” blocker when asked to lead from space and wing locations. The will is there, but he needs to spend time in the professional weight room before it develops into a balanced Pro.Mitchell Evans SB Nation
7. Gunner Helm, Texas
Helm in the NFL was very poorly tested in Combin, combined with a 30-inch vertical jump of 4.84, 6’5 and 241 pounds on a 40-yard dash. These are pretty overwhelming numbers considering the mismatch weapons that modern tight ends exist.
At the same time, Helm was productive in one of the best offenses in the country, leading the Longhorns at reception (60) and ranked third in the country in the yards after catch (420). His total reception and reception yards (768) was also a record for a tight end single season in program history.
Whether he likes his test results or not, Helm is an easy catcher in football, having a natural feel to escape tacklers and maximize the extra yards for his team. He is also something the team longs for, not leaning forward as a blocker that helps them grasp the long speed and lack of explosiveness.
6. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Ferguson is a tight end in the movement that wins with outstanding body control and wide catch radius. Oregon’s four-year starter was combined with the fastest tight end with the NFL this year, with 4.63 at 6’5 pounds and 247 pounds. His 39-inch vertical jump was the top of the position that marked his notable basketball background.
In Oregon’s attack, Ferguson was a serviceable blocker of various integrity, including the universe where his athletic abilities could shine against small defenders. As a route runner, he is physical through the press, making it abruptly to break the route at the quarterback timing.
5. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Now, Arroyo is a potential prospect who could be better than his previous few on this list, and one of our voters put him in second place.
At 6’5 and 250 pounds, Arroyo has excellent size and length with fluid route running ability. He didn’t test on combine or professional days due to bone bruising that lasted during the senior bowl. But the film and statistics paint a picture of a explosive enough athlete who has become so open for Miami’s quarterback Come Ward.
Arroyo averaged 16.9 yards per 16.9 yards in 2024, catching seven touchdowns. He is likely a “move” tight end at the next level where he can move around through offensive formations and create crafty play character mismatches.
4. Harold Fanin Jr. Bowling Green
Fanin was the most prolific tight end of this past season. He scored 1,555 receiving yards with 117 catches (both FBS singleseason records), and 10 touchdowns to win the first team All-American honors.
Despite his large production, Fannin actually performed overwhelmingly in this year’s combine test. He only ran 4.71 on the 40, but recorded pretty strong numbers on the 3-cone drill (6.97) and vertical (34 inches).
Fanin doesn’t take sharp routes, but he understands defensive coverage enough to know how to slightly bend the stems and move away from the defender to widen the quarterback’s room to spread the error. He is also very well after the catch.
He’s rough as an inline blocker, so the right team should utilize him as a flexed tight end outside the slot or backfield.
3. Mason Taylor, LSU
Taylor’s son Dolphins And Jason Taylor, the Pro Football Hall of Fame, is a complete tight end who has surged draft boards this offseason after a strong show and impressive performance this year at the Senior Bowl. LSU Pro Day.
At 6’5, 251 pounds, Taylor has a large 10-inch hand that he uses to pull out passes neatly in the air and out of the frame. He easily tracks the ball and raises the seams using excellent body control to use linebacks to provide a quarterback throw window. Round 1.
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan
The Colston Loveland is the epitome of the modern tight end of the NFL. He has more Flex-Y skill sets, but he still gets plenty in his bag as a run blocker to avoid taking responsibility when he’s on the field as a TE1 on the team. By running the best routes in the class, Loveland can win all three levels of the field, especially in the red zone. In particular, he can make tight window throws easier at quarterback, taking advantage of his length and impressive catch radius.
Just like the league’s best, Loveland escapes the linebacker and easily box out the defensive back, making it the best mismatch for the team in the slot. At 6’6 inches and almost 250 pounds, Loveland is exhibiting a great break on the short to mid-way route to make him a nightmare on the third down.
One of our voters had him as the top tight end on the board, but that was it.
1. Tyler Warren, Pennsylvania
The term “Swiss Army Knife” is usually attached to all running backs or wide receivers, but Warren deserves that description and has the way he was exploited in the Pennsylvania offense this season.
At 6’6 and 256 pounds, Warren caught eight touchdowns (to go with 104 receptions and 1,233 yards of receiving yards) and rushed over four scores in 2024, passing as Wildcat quarterback.
The first round tight end usually takes a year or so before they actually become an impact player at the next level, but like the Bowers a year ago, Warren is ready to hit the ground running in the NFL. If there’s work to do, whether it’s sealing the edge in a run game, making a key catch on the third down, or being the infamous “tash push” quarterback, Warren is your guy.
