Fantasy Football Rookie Tight End Rankings (August Updates): Tyler Warren, Elijah Arroyo, Harold Fannin, Colston Loveland, Mason Taylor, Gunnar Helm

August 27, 2025

RotoBaller's updated 2025 fantasy football rookie tight end rankings. See the top rookie TEs and draft targets, including Tyler Warren and Elijah Arroyo.

Identifying impact rookies is key to winning fantasy football leagues, and we've seen several Year-1 tight ends become must-start studs over the last few seasons. Ahead of your redraft or rookie drafts, we're back with our updated 2025 fantasy football rookie tight end rankings. Below, check out the rookie TE pecking order to see where key first-year pass-catchers such as Tyler Warren, Elijah Arroyo, Harold Fannin Jr., Colston Loveland, Mason Taylor, and Gunnar Helm stand, among all others.

These rookie rankings will be continually updated all offseason long as depth chart developments, injuries, and more take place, so be sure to check back regularly for updates. In addition to this article, you should also be sure to check out our other dynasty rookie rankings and analysis articles, including in-depth coverage of various NFL rookie profiles. Identifying sleepers and busts among first-year players is key for dynasty and redraft leagues, so we have you covered.

Four of our lead fantasy football analysts -- Phil Clark, Jackson Sparks, Andrew Lalama, and Matt Donnelly -- have put together these fantasy football rookie rankings. In addition to these rookie rankings, in our 2025 fantasy football rankings dashboard, you will also find our team's Dynasty fantasy football rankings. Bookmark that page, and use it to prepare for all of your 2025 fantasy football dynasty league drafts.

Fantasy Football Rookie Tight End Rankings (August)

Rookie rankings are from after the 2025 NFL Draft with August Updates. Bookmark our PPR rankings, Half-PPR rankings, and standard (non-PPR) rankings.

Recent Fantasy Football News for Rookie TEs

Tyler Warren, Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts rookie first-round tight end Tyler Warren is already living up to the hype going into his first NFL season after being described by the team's brass as an "easy" selection at No. 14 overall back in April's draft. The Colts have been very pleased with their pick thanks to Warren's sure hands, physical running after the catch, and development as a blocker. ESPN's Stephen Holder writes that coaches have been struck by Warren's "overall toughness and physicality that they believe will set the tone for them."

The Colts are expected to prominently feature plays that will give him the chance to gain yards after the catch. Warren's physical running and impressive body control at 6-foot-6, 256 pounds give him the ability to thrive in the open field. Given the shallow depth at the TE position in fantasy, Warren is on the TE1/2 borderline already.

Colston Loveland, Chicago Bears

Chicago Bears tight end Colston Loveland ends his preseason, gathering one catch for four yards in the Bears' 29-27 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs. Loveland had his worst game of the preseason, with his fewest receiving yards in a game yet, and an early false start penalty costing the Bears five yards in their opening drive.

During the first three drives of the game, Loveland was outsnapped by veteran tight end Cole Kmet, 14-12. The 2025 10th-overall pick has been a favorite so far for quarterback Caleb Williams, both in the preseason and in training camp. Loveland will be a significant contributor to the Bears' success later in the season, but starting him in fantasy leagues early in the season is incredibly risky given his current snap count.

Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo was among a group of healthy players held out of Saturday's preseason finale against the Packers, indicating his spot near the top of the depth chart. Arroyo was selected in the second round of the 2025 Draft and was eased into action following a knee injury suffered at the Senior Bowl.

He was targeted twice in the team's first two preseason games, coming down with all four grabs for 33 yards. The Seahawks were comfortable enough with what they have in Arroyo and second-year tight end AJ Barner to release Noah Fant in July. Arroyo displays incredible twitchiness for his size and has been moved all over the formation during Seahawks practices. He could carve out a substantial role in Seattle's new look offense and is an intriguing selection late in drafts.

Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns

Zac Jackson of The Athletic expects Cleveland Browns rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. to "play a lot, immediately" in 2025. Jackson also writes that Fannin Jr. and veteran tight end David Njoku will be deployed together and moved around in different offensive formations. A third-round pick out of Bowling Green, Fannin Jr. recorded 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns across 13 games in his final collegiate season.

He may not be ready to overtake Njoku as Cleveland's TE1 right away, but it appears that the Browns are searching for ways to utilize Fannin Jr.'s obvious talent as a receiver. The 21-year-old is definitely a name to know in dynasty leagues, and he could become a priority waiver-wire target in redraft formats if Njoku were to get injured.

Mason Taylor, New York Jets

New York Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor was one of many key players who did not play in the team's final preseason game against the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday. A second-round pick out of LSU, Taylor battled an ankle injury earlier in training camp but has reportedly impressed in practice during his time on the field. Taylor was listed behind Jeremy Ruckert at tight end on the team's first unofficial depth chart.

However, Ruckert was on the field for the preseason finale, which could indicate that Taylor will open the season as the team's top tight end. Taylor should not be expected to provide top-12 fantasy production at the position early in his rookie season. However, he could eventually emerge as a key contributor in New York with the team low on pass-catching talent behind top wide receiver Garrett Wilson.

Gunnar Helm, Tennessee Titans

With all teams now through the preseason and working on roster cuts, Tennessee Titans rookie tight end Gunnar Helm was his team's highest-rated preseason player. Playing in all three contests, Helm did most of his damage in the second game against the Falcons, in which he caught four balls for 48 yards and a score.

His overall score of 84.7 reflects solid work as both a run and pass-blocker, as well, and trails only Tyler Warren amongst 2025 rookie tight ends. The 6'5", 250-pound 4th-round pick enters the season as the team's number two tight end behind Chig Okonkwo, but in an offense looking for playmakers, it should come as no surprise if the team finds ways to get them both on the field. Helm is a low-risk add for dynasty rebuilders.

Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles Rams tight end Terrance Ferguson (groin) caught two of his three targets for 48 yards during Saturday's preseason finale against the Cleveland Browns. The rookie missed the first two preseason games due to injury, but he was able to get on the field and showcase his pass-catching abilities this weekend. While Tyler Higbee may open the 2025 season as Los Angeles' No. 1 tight end, it's clear that Ferguson represents the future for the Rams.

He showcased a rare blend of speed, size, athleticism, route-running, and ball-tracking skills against the Browns. He's a very intriguing dynasty option, and he could even start to generate some redraft appeal by midseason. Ferguson should stay right on Higbee's heels, so if the veteran gets injured or struggles to produce, the rookie will be ready to take over.

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