2025 NFL Mock Draft: Tight End-Only Edition

April 14, 2025

A four-round 2025 NFL mock draft, but only for tight ends. Where will the top tight end prospects land, and how do their skill sets fit with their potential teams?

The 2025 NFL Draft is nearly here. Unfortunately, for the NFL Draft community, every day between now and April 24 will seem like a lifetime.

While the 2025 tight end draft class lacks an elite prospect like Brock Bowers, there are several talented options in this year’s group. Most mock drafts have two tight ends coming off the board in the first round. However, could a third sneak into Day 1?

Let’s dive into a 2025 NFL mock draft with this tight end-only edition. I will project where the top 10 tight ends will go in the 2025 NFL Draft, providing a landing spot and outlook for each prospect.

First Round NFL Draft Projections

7) New York Jets – Tyler Warren, Penn State

Warren is my clear-cut No. 1 tight end in the draft class and the only pass-catcher I would spend a top-10 pick on. The superstar tight end was the focal point of Penn State’s offense in 2024, leading the team in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,233), and touchdowns (eight), leading the Big Ten in receptions.

Tyler Warren went OFF in 2024

🧤104 Catches
🏃‍♂️1,233 Receving Yards
🎯31.4% Target Share

Are the Gronk comps warranted? pic.twitter.com/QEEr9BsK3x

— PlayerProfiler (@rotounderworld) April 2, 2025

Furthermore, Warren had 58 more receptions than the next closest player on the team. Meanwhile, the Jets could take an offensive tackle with their first-round pick. However, Warren would be the perfect addition to New York. He can block better than many tight ends in the NFL. More importantly, he would give Justin Fields an outstanding weapon in the middle part of the field.

22) Los Angeles Chargers – Colston Loveland, Michigan

Unfortunately, Michigan’s passing attack severely regressed last season after losing J.J. McCarthy to the NFL. Yet, Loveland had a solid year despite missing time with an injury. He had 56 receptions for 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns, leading the Wolverines in every category. Furthermore, Loveland set a career-high in receptions and receiving scores.

Many think Loveland could come off the board in the top 20 picks, with the Indianapolis Colts at 14 and the Denver Broncos at 20 as prime landing spots. However, the Michigan star is coming off shoulder surgery, which could push him down some draft boards. Loveland would be an outstanding fit with his former head coach in Los Angeles.

Second Round NFL Draft Projections

45) Indianapolis Colts – Elijah Arroyo, Miami

Most mock drafts have two tight ends coming off the board in the first round. However, Arroyo could sneak into late Day 1. Yet, his floor is the middle of the second round. If the Colts don’t draft a tight end with their first-round pick, expect them to add one with their top pick on Day 2. While there are several Day 2 tight end prospects, none offer the same upside as Arroyo.

The Miami star struggled with injuries early in his college career. He played in only 23 games over the first three years. However, Arroyo broke out in 2024 with Cam Ward under center, setting career highs in receptions (35), receiving yards (590), and touchdowns (seven). He is an athletic freak who can play all over the field for the right play-caller.

Ward to Arroyo for the TD pic.twitter.com/fSVBGTuFgW

— NMD Grant (@NMDgrant) September 14, 2024

50) Seattle Seahawks – Mason Taylor, LSU

Seattle made several changes on offense this offseason. It moved on from Geno Smith, DK Metcalf, and Tyler Lockett, replacing them with Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Some thought the team could release Noah Fant, saving the Seahawks $8.9 million in salary-cap space in the final year of his contract.

While that didn’t happen, Seattle could change its mind after the NFL Draft. Meanwhile, Taylor is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Jason Taylor. Last year, the LSU star set career highs in receptions (55) and receiving yards (546) despite losing Jayden Daniels to the NFL. Taylor is one of the youngest prospects in the draft class and has a bright future ahead of him.

Third Round NFL Draft Projections

66) Kansas City Chiefs – Terrance Ferguson, Oregon

Last year, Oregon had one of the top offenses in college football. While he wasn’t the focal point of the passing attack, Ferguson played a massive role in the Ducks’ undefeated regular season. He finished his college career with 134 receptions for 1,537 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. Ferguson was consistent, totaling at least 590 receiving yards or five touchdowns in three consecutive years.

Furthermore, he shined at the NFL Combine. Ferguson led all tight ends in the 40-yard dash (4.63 seconds) and vertical jump (39 inches). Meanwhile, Travis Kelce will return for the final year of his contract in 2025. Yet, many believe the future Hall of Famer will retire after the upcoming season, leaving the Chiefs with no clear-cut succession plan on the roster.

76) Dallas Cowboys – Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Fannin received first-round hype during and right after the college football season. He had a breakout 2024 season at Bowling Green, setting career highs in receptions (117), receiving yards (1,555), and touchdowns (10). Furthermore, Fannin led college football in receptions and receiving yards, averaging nearly 120 yards per game. More importantly, he shined against talented defenses.

Harold Fannin tonight: 17 catches, 213 receiving yards, 1 touchdown

Season: 117 catches, 1,555 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns

What a season. A true #MACtion legend. pic.twitter.com/DcGdAkhs92

— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) December 27, 2024

Bowling Green didn’t face any elite defenses playing in the MAC last season. Yet, Fannin was outstanding against Penn State, totaling 11 receptions for 137 receiving yards and a touchdown in only a seven-point loss. Meanwhile, Jake Ferguson is heading into the final year of his contract and struggled last season. Don’t be surprised if Dallas drafts a Day 2 tight end to replace Ferguson as the starter in 2026.

101) Los Angeles Rams – Gunnar Helm, Texas

Unfortunately, Helm’s draft stock has slipped because of a poor predraft process. He ran a 4.84 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, the third slowest among tight ends. However, the Texas star ran despite suffering an ankle injury right before the drill started. While he went from a potential top-40 pick to a third-round prospect, Helm is still a talented tight end.

Last year, Helm led Texas in receptions (60) while ranking second in receiving yards (786) and touchdowns (seven) behind Matthew Golden. While Helm isn’t the best athlete, he would be an excellent fit in Los Angeles. The Rams will need a new starting tight end in 2026, with Tyler Higbee and Colby Parkinson heading into the final year of their contracts.

Fourth Round NFL Draft Projections

113) San Francisco 49ers – Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse

The 49ers hit a home run during the 2017 NFL Draft, landing George Kittle in the fifth round. However, the star tight end is heading into the final year of his contract in 2025. While the team has had contract extension talks with Kittle, he is on the wrong side of 30 and has an injury history. Furthermore, San Francisco lacks upside behind the star tight end on its depth chart.

TOUCHDOWN GADSDEN‼️

Oronde Gadsden II tallies two TDs on the day to give Syracuse the W over No. 23 Georgia Tech@CuseFootball | @Cuse | @cpisecurity pic.twitter.com/qvzoePhfv3

— ACC Digital Network (@theACCDN) September 7, 2024

While he might be a Day 3 pick, Gadsden is a talented tight end prospect. He started his college career as a wide receiver before moving to tight end before the 2023 season. Gadsden has had at least 61 receptions for 934 receiving yards and six touchdowns in two of the past three years, failing to reach those marks in 2023 because of playing in only two contests.

116) Miami Dolphins – Jake Briningstool, Clemson

Briningstool isn’t an elite athlete. He ran a 4.75 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine, posting a 31-inch vertical jump and a 9-foot-7 broad jump. However, the Clemson star had a productive college career. Briningstool had 99 receptions for 1,028 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns over the past two years, totaling at least four receiving scores in three consecutive seasons.

Miami got a career year from Jonnu Smith in 2024. The veteran tight end had 88 receptions on 11 targets for 884 receiving yards and eight touchdowns, setting career highs in every category. While he will return this upcoming season, Smith is heading into the final year of his contract. Therefore, expect the Dolphins to add a developmental tight end at some point on Day 3.

134) Philadelphia Eagles – Joshua Simon, South Carolina

Unfortunately, Simon hasn’t received much attention from the national media heading into the NFL Draft. However, he is a solid Day 3 tight end prospect who should have a long NFL career. Simon is an older prospect, having played six years in college, totaling 64 games. He spent the past two at South Carolina, totaling 68 receptions for 775 receiving yards and nine touchdowns.

Meanwhile, the Eagles have quietly made Dallas Goedert available in trade talks. The veteran tight end is heading into the final year of his contract and is on the wrong side of 30. While the team added Harrison Bryant, Kylen Granson, and Cameron Latu in free agency, Philadelphia will likely select a tight end during the middle rounds of the NFL Draft.

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