The 2025 NFL draft is right around the corner, and this tight end class is turning some heads. Whether it’s a big-bodied run grater, or a move tight end with sticky hands, this draft has a variety of body types at the tight end position. The top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL draft have the ability to impact the NFL immediately. Let’s look at who they are, and their best team fits.
Top Tight End Prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft
6. Maliki Matavao, UCLA
Matavao struggled to produce in an anemic UCLA offense, but he has the prototypical size and movement skills to succeed at the next level. He’s one of two developmental tight end prospects in this group, but if he improves his route tree and gets a little stronger in the run blocking game he can be a force multiplier.
Team Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans
5. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Fannin Jr. probably should have won the Mackey Award. His production was off the charts, and he’s a move tight end at the next level. He’s severely undersized, and he doesn’t show elite athleticism while running his routes. As college injury reports are murky at best, he could have been dealing with something slowing him down. He’s at the Senior Bowl this week, but hasn’t turned any heads yet.
Team Fits: Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams
4. Gunnar Helm, Texas
Gunnar Helm has the prototypical size, speed and movement skills for the position. His blocking is good, not great, and can be an immediate tight end two with the ability to move up to the lead role in the future. The Texas offense was all over the place, but Helm had a solid role even while competing with three NFL level pass catchers.
Team Fits: New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos
3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Full transparency, I was lower on Arroyo earlier in the process. But the context of his college career matters a lot. He was due for a breakout in 2022 before having an ACL injury that sidelined him and derailed his 2023 season. Finally healthy, 2024 the movement skills seem to be back. He’s not the immediate impact player Helm or Fannin Jr. are, but his ceiling is the best of both worlds as a freak athlete with a solid frame.
Team Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan
For teams that care more about pass catching than run blocking in their tight ends, Loveland will be number one on their boards. He can run every route, accelerate well for a player of his size, and was the only bright spot on Michigan’s offense this year. An OC can build packages around Loveland and still run an effective offense, which isn’t common among tight ends.
Team Fits: Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Carolina Panthers
1. Tyler Warren, Penn State
Wildcat quarterback/fullback/Y tight end/F tight end/X receiver Tyler Warren was electric in 2024. Some folks will knock his late breakout, but he was playing behind three separate NFL prospects while converting from a high school quarterback. Warren runs like a bull in a china shop, catches like a true wide receiver for jump balls, and is a nasty run blocker.
Team Fits: Carolina Panthers, Indianapolis Colts, Cincinnati Bengals
Main Photo Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
