Which prospects are soon to be the next great offensive weapons in the NFL?
Some draftniks tend to undervalue TEs, believing them to be a less important position than their WR counterparts. However, the right TE can truly elevate an offense in both the run and pass game, and there are several prospects in this class with the potential to do just that. Let's get into them.
Tyler Warren - SR - Penn State
Background:
Coming out of Atlee HS as a QB, Warren started in a mainly backup role for the Nittany Lions, while flashing his ability as a runner. After earning the starting gig in 2023, Warren was solid, catching 7 touchdowns and earning 3rd Team All-Big 10 honors. However, Warren really took off this past season, flourishing as the top target of young QB Drew Allar, consistently making huge plays and leading Penn State to a long run in the College Football Playoff. He also won the Mackey Award this past year as the best TE in college football.
The Good:
Great size for the position, at 6'6 and 257 pounds
Elite versatility, able to be deployed at virtually any spot on the field, including as a H back and quarterback at times
Great hands, consistently making very tough grabs away from his body
Very tough blocker, opening up big lanes when asked to
Strong work ethic, a "put your head down and work" kinda guy
The Bad:
A bit of a late breakout, only coming on at this level in his 5th year of college football
Could improve his route running slightly, especially coming out of breaks
Play strength could be a bit better at times
Outlook:
Warren's versatility will be his calling card in the NFL, possessing the skillset to impact a game as a receiver, blocker, and even a runner. His only question is whether he can maintain his production, having only put up stats at an elite level last year. Overall, Warren already has what it takes to be a game-changer in an NFL offense, and whoever drafts him will have a fun time positioning him to be a complete mismatch against opposing LBs and DBs.
Grade: Mid 1st Round
Ideal Team Fit: Indianapolis Colts
Colston Loveland - JR - Michigan
Background:
Loveland excelled as a pass-catcher early, winning the Gatorade Football Player of the Year Award in the state of Idaho. He made an impact early on at Michigan, serving as J.J McCarthy's top weapon on their national champion run, as well as receiving 1st Team All Big 10 honors. His production was hindered by poor QB play in 2025, but he still put up an impressive 582 yards and 5 scores.
The Good:
- Quick and easy route runner who separates from defenders with ease.
-good playmaker on jump balls, able to high-point the football
-Solid run blocker, serving as an integral part of the Wolverines' top-ranked rushing attack
-still a very young player, barely turning 21 before draft day.
The Bad:
-Drops are a concern, missing some grabs that perhaps should've been made
-Could stand to add some more weight to improve play strength
-Can get boxed out by bigger DBs at times, not using his size well as a short-range target
Outlook:
Loveland's tape impressed me a lot, as he runs great routes for his size and pops open very consistently. However, he's not completely trustworthy yet as a receiver, with concentration drops and mistakes limiting him at times. Overall, Loveland is a very consistent prospect, and he has the traits to excel in a scheme that gets him one and one opportunities in coverage.
Grade: High 2nd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Denver Broncos
Harold Fannin Jr. - JR - Bowling Green
Background:
Fannin hit the ground running as soon as he got to Bowling Green, being named 3rd Team All-MAC after an impressive 2023 campaign with over 600 yards and 6 scores. That said, he took his game to another level in 2024, serving as the top player in the Falcons offense and racking up production. He went for over 1000 yards this season, with high-quality performances against Penn State and Old Dominion putting him squarely in the discussion for a high selection in the 2025 draft.
The Good:
-Great long speed and route-running allows him to separate on less savvy defenders with ease
-Great hands let him haul in passes anywhere in his catch radius, with only 2 drops his whole college career
-Very versatile, with the ability to line up in multiply spots in the formation
The Bad:
-Very small build for an in-line TE at the NFL level, listed at just 6'3 and 230 pounds on Bleacher Report
-Limited blocker as well, especially against bigger defenders
-struggles a bit more versus press coverage
Outlook:
If your team needs a plus receiving option who can play as a big slot receiver, Fannin is absolutely your guy to take an NFL offense to another level. That said, he is a bit more one-dimensional than I would like, with his slender build limiting his blocking effectiveness in the pros. If Fannin can add some mass without sacrificing his savvy route running and movement skills, he will be a very dangerous weapon for an NFL team in the future.
Grade: Mid 2nd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Miami Dolphins
Mitchell Evans - SR - Notre Dame
Background:
Evans joined Notre Dame as a 3 star recruit from Wadsworth, Ohio, where he started out as more of a role player behind another star TE in Michael Mayer. That said, he took off in 2023, putting together several high quality games (Ohio State) before suffering a season-ending injury. In 2024, he rebounded well, playing well down the stretch and racking up over 400 yards and 3 TDs.
The Good:
-Another natural pass catcher, with several highlight-reel plays on tape.
-solid build at 6'5 and 260 lbs
-really impressive at finding the soft spots in zone for easy completions
-above average blocker in the run game
-very high football IQ
The Bad:
-not great injury history, including a torn ACL in 2023
-not the best at gaining yards after the catch
-could improve blocking technique, especially in pass protection
Outlook:
Evans profiles as a very solid TE prospect, with the IQ and physicality to make a ton of grabs early on in the league, especially if paired with a young QB. However, his injury history has limited his athleticism slightly, impacting his chances in the NFL Overall, if Evans can stay healthy in the NFL, the former Fighting Irish stud has a very bright future ahead of him.
Grade: 3rd Round
Ideal Team Fit: Tennessee Titans
Mason Taylor - JR - LSU
Background:
The son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, football was always the plan for Mason's future. At LSU, he earned the starting job almost immediately and only improved from there, racking up yards as a pass-catcher. In 2024, he played well with young QB Garrett Nussmeier, putting up 546 receiving yards and cementing himself as one of the most productive tight ends in program history
The Good:
-3 year starter in college, with more experience at the position than others in the class
-Long arms increase his catch radius, enabling him to pluck more inaccurate balls out of the air.
-Very fluid mobility for his size, getting to top speed on his routes with ease
The Bad:
-Runs poor routes at times, not selling fakes well
-Needs to lower his pad level better to be an impactful run blocker at the next level.
-Needs to add weight to his frame, play strength needs some improvement
Outlook:
Mason Taylor's NFL bloodlines are clear on the tape, as he fits the athletic stereotype of a modern NFL receiving TE. However, he doesn't play like it enough, needing a nastier demeanor both as a blocker and route runner at times. Overall, Taylor has the tools to find success in the league, but lacks the overall polish to make him a surefire Day 2 pick in the draft.
Grade: 3rd Round
Team Fit: Los Angeles Chargers
Luke Lachey - SR - Iowa
Background:
Lachey is another prospect with an NFL heritage, as his father, Jim Lachey, won multiple Pro Bowls with the Washington Redskins as an OT. Lachey seemed poised to do the same after a promising start to his Hawkeye career, going for almost 400 yards and 4 TDs in 2022 before a leg injury ended his season early in 2023. In 2024, Lachey was named Honorable Mention All Big 10 for his performance.
The Good:
-NFL-ready size at a massive 6'6 and 247 lbs, according to ESPN
-reliable pass catcher with strong hands even in contested-catch situations
-good blocker, both in run blocking and pass protection when asked to do so
-team captain for Iowa in 2024
The Bad:
-Doesn't offer much after the catch, with limited explosiveness and long speed
-could stand to improve his route-running to be productive at the NFL level
- injury history with a season-ending ankle injury in 2024.
Outlook:
Lachey continues a long line of Hawkeye TEs who look to have strong NFL careers, and his lack of production in college can at least partially be chalked up to poor QB play. However, he lacks the explosiveness you would hope for when projecting his ability to win downfield, and his route-running can also be subpar at times. I still believe in the long-term prospects for Lachey, but he might be limited to a rotational player in the NFL.
Grade: 4th Round
Ideal Team Fit: Dallas Cowboys
Oronde Gadsden II - JR - Syracuse
Background:
As a 3 star recruit and a multisport athlete from Miramar, FL, Gadsden initially didn't show much promise as a WR. However, after switching to TE in 2023, the son of former pro Oronde Gadsden took off, racking up 969 yards and first team All-ACC honors in 2022. He unfortunately suffered a Lisfranc injury in 2023, but rebounded well in 2024, forming chemistry with QB Kyle McCord and building his legacy as the most prolific TE in Orange history.
The Good:
-Great speed for his size, allowing him to gain a ton of YAC.
-Background as a wide receiver gives him nice route-running options, making him more versatile than the average TE
-Physical receiver who wins well at the catch point
The Bad:
-Slender frame could cause some teams to view him as a big WR
-doesn't offer much as a blocker at all
-play strength could also be a bit better at times
Outlook:
One of the better receiving TEs in the class, Gadsden's combination of hands, route-running, and physicality make him very difficult to guard at the college level. However, he is a bit of a tweener between WR and TE, and his blocking leaves much to be desired. Gadsden II may not be the most well-rounded TE, but his skillset will mesh well in an offense who can scheme him chances versus linebackers and safeties in space.
Grade: 4th Round
Ideal Team Fit: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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