Top 5 TEs

Tight end class is looking nice too. Lots of versatile guys, as well as your traditional tight ends. With this position constantly changing, it’s very intriguing to see how these young talents play out.

5. Elijah Arroyo. This is your Evan Engram or Darren Waller type of tight end. The not as effective blocking, but the extremely talented in the passing game. Arroyo is a Swiss-army knife who is like an extra receiver. He has a great catch radius, but he is quick and shifty for his size and position. He can use his change of pace effectively, and he makes a great mismatch in the redzone, as many tight ends do. The problem with Arroyo is his limited production, which only started to improve last season. Not much time producing. He also has some injuries that have sidelined him before. Finally, his power is going to need to increase given his smaller frame and being a tight end. An interesting player to say the least.

4. Gunnar Helm. I’m a big fan of Gunnar Helm. He was quite effective during his time in Texas. I like Helm’s ability to catch the ball, considering he is more of an inline blocking tight end. He has great body control and catches with his hands. He was a great blocker in the run and pass game, and he is deceptively quick after the catch. He is comfortable finding soft spots in the zone, especially in higher pressure moments, like third downs. Helm will need to improve his blocking in the NFL, (most tight ends will), and will just need to get a little stronger. His foundation of a blocker and effective pass catcher will be the driving force behind his selection. Wherever that may be.

3. Harold Fannin Jr. This is a player that seemingly has many GMs perplexed at his ceiling and floor. Fannin is a physical tight end, with good hands, and a great change of pace. He absorbs contact in catching or blocking, and he was an effective blocker at Bowling Green. Fannin, while showing some strong positives, has some equal negatives. He is undersized as a tight end, coming in at only 6’3. It’s not small, but it’s smaller for a tight end. He will also need to work on his ability to get off defenders at the line, which is where his size issue comes into play. On top of that, the competition in the NFL will be much harder than what Bowling Green faced all year, but he did extremely well against top 25 teams in 2024, so there may be hope. Stronger, faster opponents. Hannin will have to be up to the challenge, but his production will be a driving force in his selection.

2. Colston Loveland. Loveland is pretty darn close to a perfect tight end. He is arguably the best pass catching tight end in this draft. He runs incredible routes, routes so good I had to go back and look at them again. I couldn’t believe how easily he was beating linebackers and even nickel corners. He can high point a ball like a basketball player going for a rebound and will catch the ball in traffic. He is also very athletic as a tight end and will make you miss after the catch. Loveland will have to be better blocking, as he is more of a pass catching tight end, but his bigger frame will have involved in blocking schemes. Just fill out that frame a little bit and refine your blocking technique. He’s basically a starter from the jump.

1. Tyler Warren. It was a tough call between Loveland and Warren, but where Warren slightly edges out Loveland is his ability to do everything. He is just as good of a pass catcher as Loveland, but he is a little better in the blocking game. Warren is your all-around tight end. He can block, catch, and run. He is a physical presence who runs great routes and catches the ball. He can also be versatile in the scheme, as he can play different positions in the scheme. Like every tight end, he will need to refine his blocking for the NFL and will need to get stronger and more powerful, but man is he an appealing tight end.