The 2025 NFL Draft brings with it the promise of the future, and Texas tight end Gunnar Helm has the tools to make a team very happy. A 6′-5″, 250-pound Senior, the 22-year-old is coming off what is easily the best season of his collegiate career. Appearing in 16 games, the tight end finished his season with 73 receptions for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. He moved all across the formation, as PFF noted he played 134 of his 609 snaps in the slot.
While his run blocking entering the draft leaves something to be desired, Gunnar Helm has the physical ability to turn into a league-average blocker. This alone should be enough to solidify him as a Day 2 pick, as his soft hands, versatility, and route running should allow him to immeidately become a key part of any passing attack. While he won’t put up Brock Bowers numbers as a rookie (or likely ever), the Texas product could find a home with a team like the New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, or Baltimore Ravens.
3 Teams Named Best Fits For Texas Tight End Gunnar Helm
The New Orleans Saints need help throughout the roster, but their tight end position looks especially bleak. Juwan Johnson is an impending free agent and arguably the best tight end on the open market, so the cash-strapped Saints might not have the money to retain him. Backup Foster Moreau, meanwhile, is ntohing more than a journeyman at this stage in his career and could be cut for financial savings. Tight end isn’t the most important position in football, but the Saints need someone to start in 2025.
That someone might be Gunnar Helm, as the draft hopeful makes plenty of sense in the third round. Tight ends need a season or two to adjust to the NFL game, as the position requires the strength to block defensive ends and the speed to outrun safeties. Helm is nowhere close to being ready to block NFL-caliber pass rushers, but he could make an immediate impact as a receiver. With Chris Olave’s future uncertain and Derek Carr on the trade block, New Orleans must do something to support their next quarterback.
The Saints have one of the worst offensive lines in football and will likely use their early picks to address the tackle and guard position. However, landing someone like Gunnar Helm in the NFL Draft will indirectly help the offensive line, as the Texas product’s soft hands and ability to get open will create quick throw opportunitites for the Saints quarterback.
Other Fits
Trent Baalke is gone and head coach Liam Coen must begin building the Jacksonville Jaguars in his own image. One of the first decisions he’ll have to make is figuring out what to do with Evan Engram. The tight end is an above-average starter, but he only played nine games last year and carries a $19.4 million cap hit. Jacksonville can save $15.4 million with a post-June 1st cut, and Gunnar Helm could fill the vacated roster spot. Thanks to the emergence of first-round pick Brian Thomas, Jacksonville should be able to survive with someone like Helm as a depth option in the passing attack.
The Baltimore Ravens love tight ends, but they might have to do without their best one in 2025. Mark Andrews carries an astronomical $16.9 million cap hit, and the Ravens can save $11 million by cutting him. Isaiah Likely is more than capable of starting for this team, and Gunnar Helm can slide in as the TE2/3 in this passing attack. The rookie could thrive early on as a glorified wide receiver while an NFL strength and conditioning program builds up his muscle and gets him ready for in-line blocking responsibilities.
Main Photo: Sara Diggins – Imagn Images
