Oronde Gadsden II is one of the most versatile tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. His scouting report evaluates whether his production at the college level can be replicated in the NFL.
Overview, Film Analysis, And 2025 Scouting Report Of Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II
Measurables:
- 6’4
- 247 lbs
Player Background:
Oronde Gadsden II is a former three-star recruit from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended the same high school as Patrick Surtain II, American Heritage High School. Gadsden II enrolled with the University of Syracuse, originally committing as a wide receiver during the 2021 recruiting cycle.
As a true freshman, he appeared in eight games posting just two catches for 24 yards prior to a lower leg injury that forced him to miss the second half of the season. In 2022, he made the transition from wide receiver to tight end and it didn’t take long for his collegiate career to take off. His First-Team All-ACC season saw him lead the country in receiving yards by a tight end as well as setting program records at the position. His 61 receptions and 969 receiving yards were the most in a single season by a Syracuse tight end.
The injury bug bit Gadsden II even harder just two games into his junior year. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in the second game of the 2023 season. Not even a severe ankle injury could stop him from having another incredible bounce back season. As a redshirt junior, Gadsden II became a Third-Team All-American and First-Team All-ACC player for the second time in his career.
Over just 36 collegiate games, Gadsden II cemented himself as the best tight end in Orange history. His 143 career catches and 1,994 receiving yards are the most by a tight end in Syracuse history.
Accolades:
- East-West Shrine Bowl Selection (2025)
- AP Third-Team All-American (2024)
- First-Team All-ACC (2024, 2022)
- Most career receptions and receiving yards by a tight end in program history
- Most receptions and receiving yards by a Syracuse tight end in a single season
Best Tools/Pros:
Gadsden II isn’t a traditional tight end. Instead of throwing defenders around at the line of scrimmage or running them over after the catch, he just outsmarts them. The best tools he possesses are versatility and instincts. If there is a position to lineup as a receiver, the odds are he has taken a snap there at some point.
He has experience and production as an in-line tight end, a power slot receiver and even outside as an ‘X’ wideout. Cornerbacks are too small to guard him out of the slot or out wide. When he lines up as the traditional tight end, linebackers and safeties are often too slow to stay with him off the line of scrimmage.
The instincts Gadsden II has are off the charts. He understands how to utilize his big frame to box out the defender on contested catches. He has a very impressive understanding of how to use the sideline to his advantage. When given a free release, he understands how to capitalize on timing routes. Even if he generates little separation, he will trust his massive catch radius and mid-route adjustments to make the play.
While they aren’t elite by any means, Gadsden II has the kind of hands you look for in a receiving tight end. He doesn’t sit back and wait for the ball to come to him, he attacks it and works back to the ball before extending his hands. He rarely lets the ball into his body unless it’s on a slant or hitch route where he uses elite body control to secure the catch.
Tools To Improve/Cons:
When catching the football, Gadsden II tends to clap his hands onto the ball rather than trusting his grip strength. As previously mentioned, his hands aren’t a major problem going forward, they could just stand to be cleaned up at the next level. He struggles to transition to a runner after finishing the process of a catch. This leads to him missing the opportunity for extra yardage after the catch.
Gadsden II has limited experience as an in-line blocker at tight end. Just 35% of his snaps this past season were spent as a blocker. Although he had a respectable 66.0 run grade (Pro Football Focus), he lacks the traits to hold up as an in-line blocker at the next level. Rather than attacking his assignment, he can be very hesitant at times. When that is paired with the high pad level he plays with, it’s a recipe for disaster in the blocking game.
Accelerating off the line of scrimmage will be an issue at the NFL level for Gadsden II. He won’t be able to separate right away and will need to rely on his big frame and catch radius to consistently make catches. Unfortunately, he fails to use this big frame to break tackles after the catch and he lacks elite agility to make defenders miss. He may have the most limited upside as a YAC tight end in this draft class.
Potential Team Fits:
NFL Projection:
Gadsden II will look to build on the legacy his father made over six seasons with the Miami Dolphins. He’s a very resilient player who changed positions and fought his way back from two severe injuries throughout his collegiate career. That resiliency and mindset won’t change at the NFL level.
His best path to contributing right away is as a power slot receiver that can play in-line tight end to create mismatches on offense. With significant coaching, Gadsden II could grow into a decent enough blocker to play in-line more frequently. His performance in the NFL Combine will likely help his draft stock as many project him to be one of the best testers this week.
With more teams playing two tight ends on offense, any general manager or offensive coordinator would love to land a player with the versatility and intangibles in the middle rounds of the draft.
Prospect Grade and Comparison:
- Early 5th – Early 6th
- Isaiah Likely, Coastal Carolina
Film Exposures:
- vs California (2024)
- vs Georgia Tech (2024)
- vs Clemson (2022)
Main Photo: [Abe Arredondo] – USA Today Sports
