Early 2025 NFL Draft Rankings – Top 5 Tight End Prospects

January 29, 2025

Mike Fanelli does an early look and ranks the top-5 tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft. Which of these players could have a chance of being selected in the first round?

The 2024 NFL Draft class had arguably the best tight end prospect in decades, if not ever. While Brock Bowers was a superstar as a rookie, the rest of the tight end class failed to make an impact. However, there is still hope for the rest of the class.

Thankfully, the 2025 NFL Draft class has far more upside. While it lacks an elite prospect like Bowers, three tight ends could get drafted in the first round. Furthermore, we might see seven tight ends selected in the first 100 picks.

Let’s look at the top five tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class, examine potential landing spots, and provide some early fantasy football outlooks.

5) Mason Taylor – LSU

Taylor didn’t have massive numbers during his time at LSU. He finished with 129 receptions for 1,308 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, Taylor’s final season was the best of his college career, totaling 55 receptions for 546 receiving yards and two scores despite losing Jayden Daniels to the NFL.

TOUCHDOWN TIGERS@Garrettnuss13 finds @masontaylor52 to give LSU the lead

📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/Rg4Aztd9cQ

— LSU Football (@LSUfootball) September 14, 2024

The former LSU tight end can play all over the field, creating mismatches on offense. Some scouts believe he has the most natural hands of any tight end in the draft class. While Taylor won’t be a top-50 draft pick, don’t be surprised if he has fantasy value early in his professional career.

Many NFL Draft experts believe the talented tight end could come off the board late in the second round or early in the third. One potential landing spot is the Philadelphia Eagles with their late second-round pick. While Dallas Goedert has played well during the playoffs, the veteran is heading into the final year of his contract in 2025.

Furthermore, the Eagles drafted Goedert with a second-round pick in 2018 despite having Zach Ertz on the roster. Taylor would lack immediate fantasy value in Philadelphia. However, he could have low-end TE1 appeal if Goedert doesn’t re-sign following the 2025 season.

4) Gunnar Helm – Texas

The tight end class has three potential first-round prospects, with Helm kicking off the second tier. Yet, the former Texas star is far from a consolation prize. He had little impact before the 2024 season, playing behind Ja'Tavion Sanders, totaling 19 receptions and two touchdowns over his first three years.

However, Helm had a breakout senior season with Sanders off to the NFL, becoming a go-to target for Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning, especially when the team needed a play. The tight end led the Longhorns with 60 receptions for 786 yards and seven touchdowns.

While many project Helm to get drafted in the mid-to-late second round, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 40 picks. An excellent landing spot would be to the New Orleans Saints early in the second round.

New Orleans must make significant changes at the tight end position this offseason. Taysom Hill is coming off a significant injury, while Juwan Johnson is a free agent in March. Helm would give Derek Carr an outstanding middle-of-the-field weapon to pair with Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed on the outside.

3) Harold Fannin Jr. – Bowling Green

Bowling Green hasn’t produced many high-end NFL prospects. However, Fannin could become only the second first-round pick in school history. The MAC star led the conference and all of FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). He also had a team-high 10 receiving touchdowns after totaling seven over his first two years.

Furthermore, Fannin had arguably the best season ever by a tight end in 2024. He set FBS records for receptions and receiving yards by a tight end. The Bowling Green star also set several PFF-era records by a tight end, including yards after contact (868), missed tackles forced (32), and receiving grade (96.5).

Harold Fannin Jr had a HISTORICAL 2024 Season:

🟤 117 Receptions (FBS TE Record)
🟤 1,550 Yards (FBS TE Record)
🟤 868 Yards After Contact (PFF Era Record)
🟤 32 Missed Tackles Forced (PFF Era Record)
🟤 96.5 Receiving Grade (PFF Era Record)@BG_Football pic.twitter.com/o9rX7CUhM2

— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 27, 2024

Some scouts have concerns about Fannin’s level of competition and his lone year of elite production. However, neither should stop teams from using a first-round pick on him in the NFL Draft. The ideal landing spot for the former Bowling Green star is the Kansas City Chiefs.

Travis Kelce isn’t getting any younger and has shown signs of decline over the past few years. Furthermore, he is entering the final year of his contract in 2025. Fannin would have little fantasy value with Kelce around but could quickly become a top-five tight end once the Hall of Famer retires.

2) Colston Loveland – Michigan

Unfortunately, Loveland missed multiple games in 2024 because of injury. Yet, the start tight end was Michigan’s only consistent and reliable weapon in the passing game, totaling 56 receptions for 582 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns despite the team’s disaster at the quarterback position.

Loveland has the speed to beat linebackers and slower safeties while being big enough to overpower typical defensive backs. He didn’t have eye-popping numbers in college, totaling 1,466 receiver yards in 39 career games. However, the talented tight end should be a difference-maker early in his NFL career.

Many scouts believe Loveland could get drafted inside the top 15 picks. An excellent landing spot would be the Indianapolis Colts, with the 14th overall selection. The Colts have struggled at the tight end position despite investing several draft picks over the past few years.

Indianapolis’ tight end room will look drastically different in 2025. Mo Alie-Cox and Kylen Granson are upcoming free agents. Meanwhile, Jelani Woods hasn’t played in two years because of injury. Loveland would finally give Anthony Richardson a reliable weapon in the middle of the field, potentially leading to a top-10 fantasy finish as a rookie.

1) Tyler Warren – Penn State

Penn State has produced multiple starting-caliber tight ends, including Pat Freiermuth and Mike Gesicki, over the past several years. However, Warren has a chance to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL, even as a rookie. He was the focal point of Penn State’s offense in 2024.

The do-it-all tight end led the team in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,233), and touchdowns (eight), easily setting career highs in every category. Warren had several massive performances last season, including against USC. He finished that contest with 17 receptions for 224 receiving yards and a touchdown no one will ever forget.

Penn State TE Tyler Warren vs. USC

17 catches, 224 yards and a TD.

Checkout the insane play design on his TD catch. He actually started the play at center. pic.twitter.com/jU1E1hFktq

— Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 13, 2024

Furthermore, Warren is more than just a traditional tight end. He is an outstanding athlete, totaling 26 rushing attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns this past season. Many NFL scouts love his blocking abilities and believe Warren could come off the board in the top 10 picks.

However, fantasy players should hope he lasts until the San Francisco 49ers pick with the 11th overall selection. George Kittle is entering the final year of his contract in 2025. The 49ers will likely have to let him go after next season. While Warren would have little fantasy value as a rookie, the former Penn State star could return into a top-three tight end starting his sophomore year.

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