Bell: Ranking Top 8 Tight Ends in the 2025 NFL Draft Class
With the 2025 NFL Draft less than two weeks away, it’s time to finalize my tight end rankings for this cycle.
The running back and interior defensive line classes have garnered a ton of well-deserved praise but don’t sleep on this group. We have a couple potential difference-makers that deserve to be selected in the first round and several more early contributors that should develop into strong starters. Even the day three flier types are more intriguing this go around in comparison to previous years.
At the time of this writing, it’s safe to guarantee that at least the first five of these guys will finish inside my top-100 2025 NFL Draft big board that will release next week. If the 2023 class, one that included Darnell Washington, is considered the gold standard, there’s a realistic path that this crop of players could match that level of production.
While obviously not at the forefront of the Pittsburgh Steelers needs, it’s worth remembering that Arthur Smith’s offense deployed 13 personnel at the second-highest clip in the NFL and MyCole Pruitt, who played 271 snaps just last season, remains a free agent. When you combine that footnote with the intriguing collection of talent in the 2025 NFL Draft, it’s definitely worth getting familiar with these guys.
1) Colston Loveland, Michigan
Matchup nightmare that plays with urgency in how he bursts off the ball to frighten defenders while also displaying the body control to make difficult mid-flight adjustments to the ball. To put it bluntly, Loveland is always open because of his fluidity and how well he can sink his hips, making for snappy transitions out of breaks. Seeing as he’s an underrated blocker with room to still grow, it’s easy to find yourself bullish on the 21-year old.
2) Tyler Warren, Penn State
Multi-faceted beast who is dangerous with the ball in his hands thanks to his contact balance and an undefinable level of determination on every play. Last season, Warren took his game to new heights by hauling in everything thrown his direction even if it meant bullying people in congested areas. Unfortunately, there isn’t a successful high-end comparison for this archetype but his rugged demeanor is endearing enough to overlook it to an extent.
3) Elijah Arroyo, Miami
Dynamic, seam-stretching pass catcher who feasted out of the slot in 2024, using his speed on runaways routes to pull away from linebackers and safeties alike. Arroyo understands how to influence defenders through the route stem, can snap guys off at the break point and plays with a chip on his shoulder which shoulder garner respect from his teammates. Oftentimes he can be caught out of control as a blocker but there’s real mismatch potential with him out of the slot provided he can stay healthy.
4) Mason Taylor, LSU
In-line tight end with NFL Hall of Fame bloodlines and a bevy of experience executing every blocking assignment imaginable. Taylor has very good hand-eye coordination, is comfortable making catches away from his frame and makes himself available to the quarterback in the scramble drill. His hands often land too wide as a blocker but overall, he projects as a well-rounded starter you can count on.
5) Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Balanced tight end with nice size, plus run-after-catch chops and more than enough functional strength for the next level. Ferguson is a quality underneath safety valve when encountering zone coverage, understands how to create separation with his body at the break point and showed good a good radar for blocking assignments in space. His senior year tape was a bit underwhelming at the catch point but with his length and springs, that could evolve into a strength down the line.
6) Gunnar Helm, Texas
One of the best “ball winners” in the entire class and gives an enormous amount of effort as a run blocker but is lacking high-end traits.
7) Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Strong, consistently attacks the ball at the apex and has the size to be of in-line assistance if he can shake the injury bug that haunted him in college.
8) Harold Fannin, Bowling Green
Historically productive with good agility and an already expansive route tree but his size profile raises major red flags for the NFL game.