In a class that was loaded with tight end talent, only two players were selected in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft. But plenty of others heard their names called by the end of Day 3, so here’s a breakdown of every tight end selected and what they bring to their new teams.
1. Colston Loveland, Michigan | Chicago Bears
Round 1, Pick 10
NFL defenses learned over the past two seasons never to doubt Ben Johnson in possession of a game-breaking tight end. They’ll continue to learn the hard way now, as Johnson and Ryan Poles added Colston Loveland to their aerial attack with Caleb Williams.
Loveland can be Johnson’s new version of Sam LaPorta. He’ll have to stay healthy, of course. But his medicals didn’t scare the Chicago Bears away from him at 10th overall, and provided that he stays healthy, he’s a true X-factor with all-encompassing alignment versatility and dynamism in the pass game.
At 6’6”, 250 pounds, Loveland’s calling card is his alien ability as a separator at the tight end position. He’s endlessly efficient and fluid in and out of breaks, with a full route tree, explosive RAC ability, and smooth catch-point instincts. Yes, the Bears have Cole Kmet – but Loveland is a different, and much less common, type of player. That’s where his value lies for an emerging Chicago squad.
2. Tyler Warren, Penn State | Indianapolis Colts
Round 1, Pick 14
In the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, you got the sense that the Indianapolis Colts would’ve been willing to trade up for a top-10 tight end talent like Tyler Warren. Instead, Warren fell right into their lap at 14th overall. This pick gets the highest grade possible, as the ideal confluence of need and best player available.
At around 6’5” and 256 pounds, Warren has the requisite size and athleticism, but he distinguished himself at Penn State with his all-encompassing usage versatility, grueling physicality, and “Alpha” mentality, as well as his hyper-elite catching instincts, hand strength, and clutch gene on high-pressure downs.
Warren is the type of TE who gives you value in every phase at every level. He can be schemed RAC targets, work up the seam and in the red zone, have surprisingly efficient route running ability, and get after it as a blocker. Warren will be a staple early for whoever starts at quarterback, just like he was at Penn State in 2024.
3. Mason Taylor, LSU | New York Jets
Round 2, Pick 42
The New York Jets’ offense has received a notable facelift early in the 2025 NFL Draft. In Round 1, they solidified their line with Armand Membou. And, Tanner Engstrand – a Detroit Lions offensive disciple – added his versatile weapon at TE in LSU’s Mason Taylor.
Taylor, the son of Hall of Fame defensive end Jason Taylor, has similar athletic gifts. At a strong and lean 6’5”, 250 pounds, Taylor has unique flexibility, energy, and efficiency in his motion.
He has the quick feet and bend to function as a route runner at multiple levels, has soft, quiet hands at the catch, and is a viable RAC threat with want-to as a blocker. Taylor’s smooth style and alignment versatility should make him an early favorite of Justin Fields.
4. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon | Los Angeles Rams
Round 2, Pick 46
With the first selection of their 2025 NFL Draft class, the Rams selected Oregon tight end Terrance Ferguson. It was a slightly off-the-wall pick, especially with the quality of CB talent still on the board, but Ferguson is a well-rounded player and an elite athlete with exciting potential in Sean McVay’s scheme.
At 6’5” and over 250 pounds, Ferguson is explosive, fleet-footed, and fluid as a route runner, physical as a RAC threat, and he flashes high-end body control on adjustments. Focus drops can sometimes be an issue, but overall, Ferguson is a role and alignment-diverse TE with high-end tools, dutiful blocking ability, and value as an offensive foil.
5. Elijah Arroyo, Miami (FL) | Seattle Seahawks
Round 2, Pick 50
The Seattle Seahawks committed to Sam Darnold in free agency and are now committed to equipping him with the weapons he needs to succeed. In Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, the Seahawks selected Elijah Arroyo out of Miami, inserting a vertical threat into Klint Kubiak’s offense.
Arroyo is a smooth, dynamic long-striding athlete with great seam-busting ability and body control at the catch, but he also has the fluidity and short-area quickness for his size to supplement a more diverse route tree and stem work when working vertically. He can still improve his consistency as a blocker, but he’s a great fit for a QB in Darnold who likes to push the envelope and seek out big plays.
6. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green | Cleveland Browns
Round 3, Pick 67
Whoever’s playing quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2025 will need more weapons to target. Wide receiver was perceived as a bigger need, but David Njoku is also entering the final year of his contract. In Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland is adding a tight end with a similar level of receiving ability.
Fannin led the FBS with 117 catches in 2024, racking up 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. While his productivity came against a lower level of competition, his catch-point skills and sure hands are translatable regardless of competition. Fannin could be eased into multi-tight end sets in 2025 before potentially serving as Njoku’s successor.
7. Gunnar Helm, Texas | Tennesee Titans
Round 4, Pick 120
The Tennessee Titans have prioritized the offensive side of the ball to begin Day 3, and it makes a ton of sense. You don’t take Cam Ward with the No. 1 overall pick and not do everything you can to put weapons around him. Chimere Dike added some depth to the WR room, and Gunnar Helm brings some pass-catching juice to the tight end group that also features Chig Okonkwo.
While not super explosive, Helm is a chain-mover who excels in contested catch situations. He’s also a capable blocker and plays with a certain toughness about him. With Okonkwo in the mix, the Titans likely won’t ask too much from right away, but he has the intangibles and reliability to earn snaps as a rookie.
8. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame | Carolina Panthers
Round 5, Pick 163
The Carolina Panthers selected Notre Dame tight end Mitchel Evans in the fifth round. With his sound blocking utility, physical mentality, sure-handed nature, and fluid, nuanced separating skills as a receiver, Mitchell has the profile of a very solid TE2 who can provide two-phase and three-down value.
9. Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech | Buffalo Bills
Round 5, Pick 173
The Buffalo Bills added a solid run blocker in Georgia Tech’s Jackson Hawes with the 173rd overall pick. While there’s nothing great in his passing game, he’s an excellent run blocker and would serve as the TE2 for the Bills alongside Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. Hawes received a 74.9 PFF pass-blocking grade this past season.
10. Robbie Ouzts, Alabama | Seattle Seahawks
Round 5, Pick 175
Seattle picked Alabama tight end Robbie Ouzts in the fifth round but listed him as a fullback. The 6’3″, 274-pound Ouzts was a blocking tight end at Alabama and appeared in 51 games over four seasons. He only managed eight receptions for 108 yards and two TDs this past year.
11. Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh | Minnesota Vikings
Round 6, Pick 202
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up their draft with Pittsburgh tight end Gavin Bartholomew in the sixth round. He is coming off an impressive season in 2024, where he posted a career-high 38 catches for 322 yards and tied his career-high with four touchdowns. He finished his Pitt career with 105 catches for 1,257 yards and 11 touchdowns in 50 games and is now the first Panthers tight end to earn a draft selection since 2010.
12. Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska | New York Giants
Round 7, Pick 219
The New York Giants selected Nebraska tight end Thomas Fidone II in the seventh round. Fidone is a top-flight athlete with a long wingspan, receiving upside, and early blocking utility. He appeared in just 26 games for the Cornhuskers and has 61 receptions for 633 yards and four touchdowns during that period.
Fidone, however, is more of a blocking tight end and did not allow a single pressure in 79 career pass-blocking snaps.
13. Caleb Lohner, Utah | Denver Broncos
Round 7, Pick 241
Denver picked Utah’s Caleb Lohner to complete its 2025 NFL Draft haul. Lohner is a basketball convert who played his lone season of football in 2024. He posted 54 receiving yards across four receptions, all of which went for touchdowns, while also scoring a two-point conversion.
14. Moliki Matavao, UCLA | New Orleans Saints
Round 7, Pick 248
The New Orleans Saints selected UCLA tight end Moliki Matavao at the tail end of the seventh round. He is a smooth route runner and is coming off a career-high in every category in 2024. He caught 41 passes for 506 yards and two touchdowns.
15. Luke Lachey, Iowa | Houston Texans
Round 7, Pick 255
The Houston Texans closed their draft with Iowa Hawkeyes tight end Luke Lachey, who has the juice to be a starter at the NFL level. However, he’ll need to develop his core strength a bit if he wants to be a difference-making in-line blocker as a TE2 for the Texans.
