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The 2024 NFL Draft class was loaded at the quarterback and wide receiver positions. Meanwhile, the tight end position had only one prospect guaranteed to have fantasy value.
Brock Bowers had an outstanding rookie season despite being in an extremely unfriendly fantasy football situation. The former Georgia star ended the year as the TE1, averaging 12.2 half-point PPR fantasy points per game.
While the 2025 tight end draft class lacks a Bowers-like prospect, there are six who could have meaningful fantasy value in the near future. Here are my top six tight ends prospects in the upcoming rookie draft class.
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Tight Ends with Starting Fantasy Upside
6) 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.
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 likely won’t be a top-50 draft pick, don’t be surprised if he has meaningful fantasy value 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. Taylor might need a year as a role player but could become a startable low-end TE1 for fantasy players starting in 2026.
5) Gunnar Helm, Texas
This year's tight end class has four potential first-round prospects, with Helm kicking off the tier of locked-in Day 2 prospects. 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 receiving yards and seven touchdowns.
Quinn Ewers finds Gunnar Helm for the TD pass and catch on fourth down for Texas’s first score of the game.
Texas up 7-0 on Kentucky. pic.twitter.com/FkONHPt2Nu
— Hook'em Headlines (@HookemHeadlines) November 23, 2024
While many project Helm to get drafted in the early third round, don’t be surprised if he sneaks into the top 50 picks, especially by a team that needs a reliable tight end for their young quarterback. The former Texas star lacks significant upside but can have a Dalton Schultz-like fantasy career.
4) Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Arroyo doesn’t have the same career production as the other five tight ends in this article. However, the former Miami star is drooling with athletic upside. He had an impressive week at the Senior Bowl, impressing scouts and NFL talent evaluators.
Last year, Arroyo had a breakout season with Cam Ward transferring to Miami. The tight end had 35 receptions for 590 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. By comparison, he had 11 receptions for 163 receiving yards and a touchdown over his first three college seasons. Arroyo played in only 23 games those three years because of injury.
Unfortunately, the former Miami star won’t partake in athletic testing or on-the-field work at the NFL Combine because of a knee injury he suffered at the Senior Bowl. However, Arroyo will be ready for his Pro Day in March. While he is far from a finished product, Arroyo has significant upside and could turn into a star in the NFL.
Tight Ends with Superstar Fantasy Upside
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 former MAC star led the conference and 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 former 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, he held his own at the Senior Bowl against some of the draft class’ top defenders. Fannin is one of the youngest prospects in the draft class. Yet, he has arguably the most upside of any rookie tight end.
2) Colston Loveland, Michigan
Unfortunately, Loveland missed multiple games in 2024 because of injury. Yet, the starting 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 20 picks. The former Michigan star would be the clear-cut TE1 in most rookie draft classes over the past decade. However, there is one tight end better and higher in my rankings than Loveland.
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), 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. Fantasy players who missed out on drafting Bowers last year should make Warren their top priority this year.
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