2025 NFL Draft: Tight End Landing Spots
In what was widely considered a weak NFL draft, the tight end position provides a surprisingly deep 2025 class highlighted by some big names going in the top half of the first round who will certainly provide some fantasy value in their rookie seasons. There were six TEs taken in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, compared to only three last year. Perhaps the recent success of players like Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers in their rookie seasons has driven more teams to consider investing in tight ends near the top of the draft. Whatever the reason, there are plenty of rookie tight ends to talk about this year.
In this article, we’ll cover a brief overview of each prospect’s profile, and then analyze their landing spot post-draft in an attempt to project their fantasy outlook for 2025 and beyond.
Colston Loveland, TE, Chicago Bears
Round 1, Pick 10
It was a bit of a surprise to see Loveland go as the first tight end off the board, as many expected fellow Big 10 tight end Tyler Warren to take that honor, but there’s no denying Loveland’s talent and deservingness to be drafted this highly. His college numbers at Michigan don’t jump off the page in what was a relatively low-volume passing offense, but he consistently flashed on tape as a big-bodied (6’6, 248) target with strong hands and some run-after-the-catch ability in addition to plus run-blocking.
Fantasy Outlook
Ben Johnson uses his first draft pick as head coach of the Chicago Bears to grab his next Sam LaPorta. Tight end is clearly a position that Johnson value’s highly, and the top-10 draft capital suggests that Loveland will be used heavily in this offense from the get-go. The Bears already have Cole Kmet, a solid player in his own right, on the roster, but don’t let that scare you off of Loveland for fantasy. The Bears may utilize some two tight end sets to get both players involved, but Loveland profiles as the player to own for fantasy. I also wouldn’t be surprised to see the Bears shop Kmet around for potential trades as the Lions did with TJ Hockenson.
It’s tough to project production on the level of Sam LaPorta’s rookie’s season, mostly because we haven’t yet seen Chicago’s offense develop into the high-powered scoring machine that Detroit has been. If Caleb Williams and the Bears can take a step or two forward under the Ben Johnson regime, Loveland has the potential to finish inside the top-10 at the position as a rookie. From a dynasty perspective, he’s certainly someone worth taking a shot on toward the back half of rookie drafts. He looks like a mainstay in fantasy lineups for years to come.
Tyler Warren, TE, Indianapolis Colts
Round 1, Pick 14
Warren had been the projected number one prospect on many draft analysts boards heading into the 2025 draft thanks to a breakout senior season at Penn State in which he hauled in 104 passes for 1233 yards and 8 scores. He also added 26 rushes for 218 yards and 4 touchdowns. He finished the year seventh in Heisman votes. Warren displayed a bruising downhill running style with the football in his hands. His versatility stands out on tape, as you’ll frequently see him lined up in the slot, in the backfield, and even at quarterback.
How do you watch this and not draft Tyler Warren pic.twitter.com/OpTMQFK7Em
— Barstool Penn State (@PSUBarstool) April 25, 2025
Fantasy Outlook
It hasn’t been announced what number he will wear for the Colts, but it’s hard not to think of Dallas Clark when you picture that number 44 out there in blue and white. One can envision Warren commanding a bunch of opportunities this year in a Colts’ offense that doesn’t offer much in the way of target competition. The bigger question will be the quality of those targets that figure to come from some combination of Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson. Perhaps the Colts liked what they saw in Warren in terms of passing upside, because he displayed more accuracy as a passer than either of his new signal callers at times last season.
Jokes aside, Warren’s projected volume and talent profile combine to provide plenty of upside for fantasy. I expect Warren to go in the middle rounds of fantasy drafts, where he could return plenty of value if he follows the recent trend of rookie tight end breakouts. Similar to Loveland, Warren possesses first-round rookie draft upside for dynasty.
Mason Taylor, TE, New York Jets
Round 2, Pick 42
Taylor compiled steady production at LSU, totaling 129 receptions for 1,300 yards and six touchdowns over three seasons. His reception and yardage totals were both school records for a TE. He demonstrated the ability to excel both as a pass catcher and a blocker in college, drawing comparisons to Zach Ertz and Dallas Goedert. The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, Mason figures to possess the mental makeup and work ethic of an exceptional professional football player.
Fantasy Outlook
The Jets opted to pass on the tight end position in the first round and instead grab Mason Taylor in the second. With New York moving on from veteran starter Tyler Conklin, Taylor figures to slot in immediately at the top of the depth chart. He isn’t on the radar just yet for redraft purposes, but will be an interesting name to watch as a late-round best ball flier and potential waiver add if he shows signs of heavy involvement early in the season. For dynasty, he’s slotting in as a late-2nd or early-3rd round pick. With his genetics and athletic profile, I like his potential to be a starter in the NFL for a long time, but he lacks some of the high-end upside I see with the previous two selections.
Terrance Ferguson, TE, LA Rams
Round 2, Pick 46
Ferguson boosted his draft stock with an impressive performance at the NFL Combine, posting the best 40-yard dash (4.63 seconds) and Vertical Jump (39.00 inches) in this year’s tight end class. He set school records at Oregon for receptions (139) and receiving touchdowns (16) by a tight end, so the production was there as well. If there’s a knock on Ferguson it’s his willingness to block in the run game, which may come with his somewhat slighter frame.
Fantasy Outlook
The Rams spent a fairly high pick on Ferguson, which suggests they see him as the successor to longtime starter Tyler Higbee, and likely sooner rather than later. Higbee has battled injuries over much of his career and saw the field in only three games last year as a result. The path is certainly there for Ferguson to step into a full-time starting role, but you’re better off taking the wait-and-see approach with him for fantasy this year. I like his upside as a dynasty draft pick or a best-ball flier.
Elijah Arroyo, TE, Seattle Seahawks
Round 2, Pick 50
Arroyo burst onto the scene in his senior season at Miami after a knee injury derailed most of his career. He hauled in 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging an impressive 16.9 yards per catch last season. The only measurable he posted at the combine was a 22-rep bench press, a respectable number, but his athleticism shows up on film, albeit in a limited sample size.
Fantasy Outlook
The Seahawks took a chance on Arroyo despite his checkered medical history, signifying a lack of commitment to their current starter Noah Fant, who’s entering the last year of his contract. They also moved on from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett this offseason, opening up plenty of targets for newcomers in this offense led by quarterback Sam Darnold.Even with the vacated targets Arroyo is unlikely to garner much fantasy value as a rookie, but he’s someone to keep an eye on if the Seahawks do indeed move on from Fant.
Harold Fannin Jr., TE, Cleveland Browns
Round 3, Pick 67
The Bowling Green product generated plenty of buzz around NFL and fantasy football circles thanks to his FBS-leading 117 receptions for 1,555 (pronounced: fifteen hundred and FIFTY-FIVE) receiving yards last season. He was as dominant as any player in college football while playing in the MAC, breaking nearly every single-season receiving record for tight ends. At 6’3” 241 lbs, he’s a little undersized as an NFL tight end. He’s not a great run blocker, and his athletic measurables don’t jump off the page either. The production numbers and ball skills, however, make Fannin Jr. an intriguing prospect for NFL teams.
Fantasy Outlook
Fannin Jr’s historic season earns him a Day 2 draft selection by the Cleveland Browns, a team with a well-established starter ahead of him on the depth chart in David Njoku. At just 28 years old, Njoku feels like he’s been around forever. He is entering the final year of his contract, but he’s enjoyed a bit of a career resurgence in recent years, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see Cleveland extend him if he keeps up the good play. The path to fantasy relevance for Fannin Jr. is likely through an injury to Njoku, although he’ll need to improve in the run-blocking aspect of his game in order to carve out an every-down role in an NFL offense. Avoid Fannin Jr. in fantasy drafts this year, but he’s a solid dynasty stash.
Gunnar Helm, TE, Tennessee Titans
Round 4, Pick 120
Helm might be this TE class’s biggest loser from the combine. After setting the school receptions record (60 receptions for 786 yards and 7 TD’s) by a tight end in his senior season at Texas, Helm ran a 4.84 second 40-yard dash at the combine, including a 1.69 second 10-yard split, the worst of any player at his position. His vertical jump of 30 inches was also the worst of this class.
Fantasy Outlook
Despite some concerns about his athletic measurables, the Titans select Helm in the 4th round, adding some depth to their TE room which features Chig Okonkwo at the top followed by Josh Whyle. For Helm, it’s not high enough draft capital to guarantee any sort of volume in year one, and he’ll likely have to earn his way into playing time via special teams or in some multiple-TE sets. He’s off the fantasy radar entirely outside of a deep-league dynasty stash.
Other TEs Drafted
| Round 5 | ||
| Pick | Team | Player |
| 163 | CAR(From BAL) | Mitchell Evans
TE, Notre Dame |
| 165 | LAC(From WAS) | Oronde Gadsden II
TE, Syracuse |
| 173* | BUF | Jackson Hawes TE, Georgia Tech |
| 175* | SEA | Robbie Ouzts
TE, Alabama |
| Round 6 | ||
| 202 | MIN(From HOU) | Gavin Bartholomew
TE, Pittsburgh |
| Round 7 | ||
| 219 | NYG | Thomas Fidone II
TE, Nebraska |
| 241 | DEN(From HOU) | Caleb Lohner TE, Utah |
| 248 | NO(From PHI) | Moliki Matavao
TE, UCLA |
| 255* | HOU(From CLE) | Luke Lachey
TE, Iowa |