2025 NFL Draft prospect rankings: Evaluating a strong TE group
theScore's NFL draft prospect rankings series gives you everything you need to know about the top players on the board. Check back as we break down new position groups leading up to April's draft.
QB | RB | WR | TE
Loveland is one of the best pure pass-catchers in this draft regardless of position. He's an excellent route runner who creates separation by setting up defenders and winning with quickness in and out of his breaks. Tight ends of his size typically don't possess the lateral agility he does. He's also a reliable finisher at the catch point, demonstrating strong hands and the ability to make difficult adjustments on balls thrown outside his frame. Loveland is certainly more finesse than power, and Michigan took advantage of his skill set by lining him up across the formation, including in the slot. That may create a perception that he's not an in-line player, but he's demonstrated an ability to hold his own as a run blocker from that spot - at least enough for teams to not worry about his fit. Loveland will make any offense better, and he has a chance to be one of the league's most productive tight ends from the outset of his career.
Warren is both a throwback and a new-school tight end. The Penn State star has the size, play strength, and demeanor to be an effective in-line blocker at the next level - now a rarity for tight ends coming out of college. The Nittany Lions used him all over the field, including as a wildcat quarterback, because of his unique athleticism. Warren is a big-play machine at receiver. His explosiveness challenges defenders vertically, he has great ball skills, and he's extremely tough after the catch. He's not especially quick in confined spaces, so creating separation at the top of routes could present a challenge against NFL defenders. But he compensates for it with success in contested-catch situations. Warren is a great fit for any offense, and he has immediate superstar potential at the next level.
Fannin is a truly unique prospect. The Bowling Green tight end led the country in receiving with 1,555 yards in 2024. He was also tops among all pass-catchers with 34 missed tackles forced, according to PFF. For reference, Luther Burden III led all receivers with 30. Tyler Warren was the closest tight end with 19. Fannin likely isn't an in-line tight end, so fit is a consideration here. But that's not where you want him anyway. He's a sufficient route-runner who can make plays out of the slot, and Bowling Green had success lining him up pretty much everywhere else, including in the backfield. Get the ball in his hands by any means necessary and let the playmaking instincts take over. Whether he was bouncing off contact, sidestepping attempted tackles, or stiff-arming defenders to the ground, he was nearly impossible to wrap up. There are certainly times when it seems like his speed won't translate, and the level of competition is worth considering too. But Fannin also put together a combined 19 catches for 282 yards and two touchdowns in matchups with Penn State and Texas A&M. The production was no mirage. A creative offensive play-caller might be able to turn him into a star in the NFL.
Taylor is the son of Jason Taylor and the nephew of Zach Thomas, a pair of Dolphins legends. It's no coincidence that he's an impressive athlete. The LSU product is a fluid mover for a player his size, and he's a quietly sound route-runner who can create some separation in coverage against linebackers. His ability to go over the top of defenders and win contested catches provides highlight-reel moments, and he's a tough runner with the ball. Taylor has the physical skills to contribute as an in-line blocker, but he may need to become more technically sound before being relied upon for regular work there. The pass-catching chops will allow Taylor to play as a move tight end in the meantime, though, giving him a path to have an instant impact at the next level.
Arroyo is a fascinating prospect. A backup role and injury trouble limited his opportunities over his first three years at Miami, as he managed just 11 receptions across his 23 games. He enjoyed a breakout after Cam Ward's arrival in 2024, putting up 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns. The injury history will certainly be part of the evaluation, as will the limited sample size. But this season alone was enough to make him an interesting option as a move tight end. Arroyo is an impressive athlete, a smooth route-runner, and a playmaker with the ball in his hands. While he'd need to develop as a blocker to be a fit for in-line duties, he can contribute more than enough everywhere else in the formation. Arroyo should be viewed as an ascending player who could be a valuable chess piece if he's given time to develop.
Searching for a sleeper tight end? Outstanding athletes who were underutilized as receivers in college are typically a good place to start. Fidone fits the bill. Injuries contributed to his lack of production at Nebraska, as he never became a high-volume pass-catcher after missing all but one game in his first two seasons due to knee injuries. However, there were flashes of NFL talent. Fidone's testing profile - the best among tight ends in this class, according to Relative Athletic Score - is evident with his explosiveness and quickness in and out of breaks. He's a much better route-runner than you'd expect for a player with such minimal production, and he has good ball skills at the catch point. He's also nimble and tough after the catch. Fidone's length and physicality will give him a chance to get on the field early as a blocker. From there, he can take advantage of that untapped receiver upside and outplay his draft position.
Evans is a rare breed at tight end these days, profiling as a player capable of handling in-line duties early in his pro career. The Notre Dame product's combination of size, play strength, and blocking skills should earn him the kind of trust that gets young players on the field. He's no slouch as a receiver either. While he doesn't have the straight-line speed to stretch the field vertically, he's quicker than you might imagine a player of his size being. And even when he's unable to create separation, Mitchell has the body control and ball skills to win in contested-catch situations. His playmaking doesn't match the more athletic tight end prospects, and past injuries will make the medicals an important part of the evaluation. But an increasingly rare do-it-all skill set should allow Mitchell to build a long professional career.
Briningstool offers some upside in the passing game. He's a smooth route-runner who knows how to find soft spots in zones and has the movement skills to make plays after the catch. The athletic profile doesn't quite match what he showed on the field at Clemson, so creating separation could be an issue against NFL defenders. But his ball skills and body control make him successful in contested-catch and off-target situations. He may not have the length or play strength to be an in-line player, even if he's a willing contributor in that regard. Bringingstool's ideal role would be a secondary tight end who can be moved around the formation to create favorable matchups at receiver, particularly in the red zone.
Helm was a breakout star in his final season at Texas with 786 yards and seven touchdowns. His 60 receptions beat out top receivers Matthew Golden and Isaiah Bond for the team lead. Helm is a savvy route-runner who sets up defenders well and shows good short-area quickness out of his breaks to create separation. He also has a feel for finding zones over the middle of the field, and he's shown creativity to pick up yards after the catch. His ability to rise up over defenders and win contested catches is impressive too. Helm's overall athletic profile is a bit of a question mark, though, potentially limiting the ceiling here. A 4.84 40 time at his size sticks out as a negative, but it's worth noting that time was recorded after Helm sprained his ankle on a false start. He could be a solid playmaker if his run blocking improves enough to earn him a regular role.
Ferguson is an impressive athlete. Combine testing confirmed everything we saw on the field at Oregon, leaving little question about how his unique movement skills will translate to the professional level. He's done the most damage with the ball in his hands, taking underneath passes and consistently turning them into chunk gains. Ferguson likely won't be a fit as an in-line blocker, and there is some projection required for his game as a receiver. He'll need to expand his route tree to have a significant role in that area of the game. But he certainly has the physical skills, and he's a reliable finisher at the catch point. Given some time to develop, Ferguson could become an interesting playmaker in the passing game.
Dan Wilkins is theScore's senior NFL writer.