The 2025 NFL Draft class is starting to take shape, and that means we’re getting a clearer picture of some of the top prospects and the position groups with the most depth.
The running back, tight end and offensive tackle positions seem to be the deepest and strongest on the offensive side of the ball. On defense, the edge defender group is as deep as we’ve seen in several years, dominating the projected top 50. There are also more impact defensive backs this year than a year ago, with plenty of options on all three days of the draft, specifically on Days 2 and 3.
Here are PFF's top tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft, along with some initial scouting notes courtesy of lead draft analyst Trevor Sikkema.
For the full ranking of draft prospects, along with their three-year player grades and position rankings, click here.
1. TE Tyler Warren, Penn State
PFF Big Board Rank: 12
Warren is a do-everything tight end who any coach would love to input into their offense. He isn't a twitchy or flexible athlete who can unlock the whole route tree, but his versatility is incredibly valuable in the run-and-pass games. He is worthy of a first-round selection.
2. TE Colston Loveland, Michigan
PFF Big Board Rank: 16
Loveland lacks the density to play as an inline tight end consistently in the NFL, but he brings plenty of value as a tall, long pass catcher with natural hands and crisp routes to line up as a big slot or “X” receiver. He also has some versatility to play attached to the line of scrimmage in certain situations.
3. TE Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL)
PFF Big Board Rank: 59
Arroyo is a receiving tight end through and through who can line up as a wingback and in the slot. An NFL team hoping for a consistent blocker will be disappointed, though. If given a chance to show off his all-around athleticism, he can be a contributor as a big slot type.
4. TE Mason Taylor, LSU
PFF Big Board Rank: 73
Taylor is young and could still be growing into his talent and, more importantly, his strength. In his current form, he is a TE2/3 candidate — more of a move tight end detached from the line of scrimmage as a receiver — but if he gets stronger, he can be a more versatile and consistent contributor.
5. TE Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
PFF Big Board Rank: 85
Ferguson is a nice receiving tight end with the length to play some inline snaps. His lower run-blocking impact marks indicate that an NFL team won't want to use him much in that way. His true value is as a receiver and a TE2.
6. TE Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
PFF Big Board Rank: 102
Fannin is a strong receiving tight end with great value after the catch. His blocking reps are good enough to keep him inline as a TE2 or as a wingback on occasion, but his bread and butter in the NFL will be as a tight end who you can quickly get the ball to for after-the-catch production in a tight end-centric passing attack.
7. TE Gunnar Helm, Texas
PFF Big Board Rank: 115
Helm has worked his way into becoming one of the class' best after-the-catch tight ends. He isn't the strongest run blocker, but he does have good feet in pass protection. Getting stronger would give him more opportunities as a TE2 with starting potential.
8. TE Benjamin Yurosek, Georgia
PFF Big Board Rank: 119
Yurosek didn't see heavy usage in 2024, but he brings adequate all-around NFL ability for the position (best as a move tight end), especially if he can put on 5-10 pounds. He can be a versatile TE2 in basically any offense as a mid-round pick.
9. TE Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
PFF Big Board Rank: 166
Evans doesn't have the rare movement skills to set him apart as a potential top-60 pick in the NFL, but his floor is balanced and high as a TE3 with the potential to move into a contributing TE2 role due to reliable blocking and hands through contact.
10. TE Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska
PFF Big Board Rank: 184
An extensive knee injury in 2021 and 2022 didn't completely rob Fidone of his impressive straight-line athleticism. With his above-average height, length and speed, he's a strong candidate to develop as a rotational TE2 in a vertical passing offense.
11. TE Jake Briningstool, Clemson
PFF Big Board Rank: 191
Briningstool seems to be more of a wide receiver than a tight end. If he can improve his route-running nuance and playmaker mentality after the catch, he could become a big slot WR3 type. Until then, he is more of a developmental depth player.
12. TE Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech
PFF Big Board Rank: 193
Hawes doesn't provide much in the receiving game, but he is a good TE3 for an NFL team to use in heavier offensive packages.
13. TE Caden Prieskorn, Mississippi
PFF Big Board Rank: 223
Prieskorn has the build of an NFL tight end with strong hands and a competitive toughness to catch through contact. As a limited athlete, his best course of action will likely pack on a few more pounds to be a backup inline option for an NFL team as a TE3 with spot TE2 potential.
14. TE Jalin Conyers, Texas Tech
PFF Big Board Rank: 236
Conyers moves well for a 260-pounder. His 32 forced missed tackles are the fourth-most by an FBS tight end since 2022. He also ranked among the nation's best tight ends with an 80.1 run-blocking grade in 2024. His acceleration is a bit slower than his top-end speed, and he needs to continue to improve blocking on the first level, but Conyers could be a nice developmental option to stash away.
15. TE CJ Dippre, Alabama
PFF Big Board Rank: 250
Dippre is a nasty downhill blocker with solid upper body strength. He could garner the occasional red-zone target (92..5 receiving grade against single coverage; 79th percentile) but likely won't see consistent action in the passing game. His mean streak as a blocker gives him a chance to stick as somebody's TE3.
16. TE Luke Lachey, Iowa
PFF Big Board Rank: 254
Lachey will likely get drafted due to his pedigree and because he's the latest in the royal tight end pipeline from the Iowa Hawkeyes to the NFL. However, for him to stick, he must get quicker or stronger. Right now, he is not NFL-caliber in either area.
17. TE Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse
PFF Big Board Rank: 265
Gadsden is intriguing due to being a potential size mismatch as a big slot receiver, but his blocking impact is a net negative, and his lack of agility resulted in low separation rates. He will likely be a late Day 3 pick or an undrafted free agent for an offense that likes his size.
18. TE Moliki Matavao, UCLA
PFF Big Board Rank: 294
Matavao is an outstanding mover at 6-foot-5 and 265 pounds, which allows him to separate (91st percentile separation rate in 2024) and produce after the catch (7.0 yards after the catch in 2024; 78th percentile). Creating separation will be key, though, as he seems uncomfortable catching the ball in tight quarters. While he's flashed as a run blocker, he's very hot and cold in that aspect. He projects as a TE2 with a ceiling worth betting on somewhere on Day 3.
19. TE Brant Kuithe, Utah
PFF Big Board Rank: 308
Six collegiate seasons at Utah and an extensive injury history will leave Kuithe off many boards. When healthy, he shows up as a capable receiving option, albeit an undersized one. However, he separates well (96th percentile) and is a mover with the ball in his hands. He could find a home as a move tight end/flanker/big slot option in the later rounds.
20. TE Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
PFF Big Board Rank: 333
Nesbit played 80.1% of his snaps in the slot in 2024, which led to him being targeted downfield. His 11.9-yard average depth of target ranks first in the draft class.
21. TE Rivaldo Fairweather, Auburn
PFF Big Board Rank: 353
Fairweather is undersized for a tight end at 6-foot-3 and 242 pounds, and he lacks the fluidity and flexibility to consistently adjust to off-target balls and hang on to contested throws (caught just six of 16 contested balls in 2024). This being said, he is a very competitive blocker, which could help him get selected late on Day 3.
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