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With the 2025 dynasty fantasy football offseason officially here, it's time to start preparing for rookie drafts. Sure, many leagues don't pick rookies until after the "real" NFL draft, but being informed on rookies early in the process can help you identify potential sleepers and busts.
Despite the rookie success of Brock Bowers and Sam LaPorta at the tight end spot over the last two years, we should still consider it rare for a tight end to have a nuclear fantasy season right away. It's a tough position with a lot of growing pains, so be careful not to reach on rookie TEs if you are in win-now mode. However, tight ends often present strong value in drafts as many avoid picking them in the first two rounds.
Below, let's dive into the dynasty draft outlooks for Penn State's Tyler Warren, Michigan's Colston Loveland, and Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr.
Tyler Warren Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
Warren will need some time to develop in the league. He's... not really a route runner, which is a very strange thing to say. He found plenty of success on rushing plays and by simply bulling over defenders, but that also doesn't work in the NFL. What's strange is that he compares very closely to Washington Commanders tight end Ben Sinnott as a pass-catcher. "Wow, look at his tackle-breaking ability" applies to Sinnott just as well. It's not hard to find the tape that supports this idea.
It took 6 OU defenders to bring Ben Sinnott down pic.twitter.com/LGK3XOTnjD
— Clint The K-State Fan (@Thekstatefan2) September 26, 2022
To his credit, Warren is an elite blocker. That's his primary skill. We love that for him, but there are no Points Per Block Successfully Made leagues. Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers is an elite route-runner, that's why he succeeded so well in the NFL.
Warren isn't. That's disqualifying of him as a safe first-round pick in rookie drafts. If you take Warren in the middle of Round 1, you're eschewing a chance at capitalizing on a stacked running back draft class (though there are a few busts) to take a player whose archetype has never succeeded as a fantasy tight end in the history of the game. There is a ton of risk here.
Colston Loveland Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
Loveland absolutely carried the Wolverines' offense this season and is an excellent route-runner. It's always impressive to see a tight end be crucial to his team's offense and display skills that translate well to the next level. TEs who are great route-runners make matchup nightmares for opposing defenses. They're too big and strong to be covered well by defensive backs and too quick for linebackers to cover. This archetype of player can see immediate success at the next level.
6’5, 250lbs TE’s are not usually able to create man separation like this…
Colston Loveland can. pic.twitter.com/tjzPgxRs9h
— SCOUTD (@scoutdnfl) January 5, 2025
It's incredibly impressive to see a player of this size separate like this. Loveland's game is highly refined, as he's also able to turn upfield quickly and possesses surprising speed. His quickness off the line of scrimmage is notable. This is a fantastic pick in the middle of Round 2. Loveland is the best tight end in this class, so getting him for far cheaper than Warren is a steal.
Harold Fannin Jr. Dynasty Fantasy Football Outlook
Like Warren, Fannin was very tough to tackle. Also, like Warren, his movement is very lumbering and awkward, and at TE, that's a tough sell at the next level. Fannin gained 1,555 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in his senior season. Going to Bowling Green certainly helped his production. Size mismatches are also more prominent in college than they are in the NFL.
A lot of running through green grass doesn't make a player better at football. Fannin has some strengths, but big numbers don't guarantee great production at the next level. He's a fine flier in late Round 2 or early Round 3.
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