Traditionally, tight end is a position that takes time for young players to get up to speed. Prolific college tight ends often need to develop as serviceable blockers in order to stick in the NFL. Many were essentially learning how best to be an extra lineman on Sundays after not worrying much about that in college.
That's not been the case in recent years. In 2023, a talented class saw multiple contributors taken early on. Dalton Kincaid was second on the Bills in receptions as a rookie. Sam LaPorta was a second-team All-Pro as a rookie after catching 10 touchdowns.
Last year, Brock Bowers broke a rookie record that'd stood for six decades by tallying 1,194 receiving yards, surpassing Mike Ditka's record set in 1961. His 112 receptions were a rookie record as well, regardless of position.
This year's tight end class has a some of the same qualities from the last two classes. Penn State's Tyler Warren and Michigan's Colston Loveland could be top receiving threats in their future offenses as rookies.
There's fantastic depth beyond the first round, too. LSU's Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, will be one of multiple tight ends to hear his name called on Day 2. Miami's Elijah Arroyo is a fascinating Day 2 prospect, as is the versatile and prolific Harold Fannin Jr. of Bowling Green.
Fifteen tight ends should be drafted this year with contributors all the way through Day 3. Here's what to know about our top 10 prospects at the position:
2025 NFL draft: Top 10 TE prospects
1. Tyler Warren, Penn State
- Strengths: Ideal NFL size at 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds. Huge catch radius with outstanding burst after the catch. Natural, reliable hands. Positional versatility as he was used in multiple spots, even quarterback, for the Penn State offense. Strength and commitment to block in the run game. Competitive attitude should endear him to the locker room.
- Weaknesses: Route running could use improvement to reach NFL level. Hand placement could be better in run blocking.
- Draftprojection: Round 1 (top 15).
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan
- Strengths: Game translates better to the NFL level after playing in a run-heavy system in Michigan. Natural receiver who is a good route runner and ideal contested catch threat. Playmaker with the ball skills, body control and athleticism to be an attacking force in the passing game. Likely won't need much time to get up to speed in the NFL.
- Weaknesses: Leaner frame (6-6, 248 lbs.) caps his ceiling as an effective blocker. Footwork out of his breaks needs improvement.
- Draftprojection: Round 1.
3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
- Strengths: Vertical threat with size at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds. with an excellent wingspan. Savvy with how he manipulates defenders on his routes. Soft hands. Comfortable working over the middle. High-effort blocker who keeps his pads low into contact.
- Weaknesses: Multiple knee injuries in 2022 and 2023 may keep him off some teams' boards. Not built to get yards after contact due to high cut frame. Blocking technique needs improvement.
- Draftprojection: Round 2.
4. Mason Taylor, LSU
- Strengths: Good size at 6-foot-4 and 251 pounds. with Hall of Fame bloodlines. Fluid ...
