Could Helm replace Daniel Bellinger?
The tight end class in the 2025 NFL Draft isn’t getting as much press as the defensive tackle or running back classes, but it’s shaping up to be another very strong one. This class might not have a “Brock Bowers” headlining it, but it has a number of very good prospects who have the NFL excited.
There’s enough talent in this year’s class that tight ends who might other wise be high profile prospects in other years are flying below the radar. Texas tight end Gunnar Helm might be one of those prospects despite coming off of a breakout year in which he more than tripled his offensive production.
Of course, the New York Giants are pretty well set at tight end with Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson as young and athletic options. But even if the Giants don’t draft Helm, they could wind up playing against him for years to come.
Prospect: Gunnar Helm (85)
Games Watched: vs. Michigan (2024), vs. Oklahoma (2024), vs. Georgia (2024), vs. Texas A&M (2024)
Measurables
Height: 6-foot-5 (estimated)
Weight: 250 pounds (estimated)
Strengths
Best traits
- Size
- Blocking
- Competitive toughness
- Ball skills
Helm is a big, powerful, physical tight end prospect. He’s a blocking-first tight end despite being a starter in Texas’ spread offense. But that’s for good reason as he is one of the better blockers in this class at any position.
Helm has great play strength which he combines with good technique and competitive toughness to be a very effective pass protector and run blocker. He clearly understands his role on Texas’ blocking schemes, getting into position well, and executing his assignments effectively. Helm is able to routinely win against most linebackers and even edge defenders, and was even able to “lose slowly” against true defensive linemen.
He also shows impressive ball skills as a pass catcher. Helm does a great job of locating the ball in the air and making necessary adjustments to haul in even poorly placed passes. He’s a natural “hands” catcher who extends to maximize an already good catch radius and does a great job of securing the ball. Helm understands how to use his size and play strength to tip 50/50 balls in his favor, and is able to box out defenders or win physical match-ups at the catch point.
Weaknesses
Worst traits
- Athleticism
- Versatility
While Helm is a functional athlete in that he can do everything he’s asked to do as a tight end, he is not a particularly good athlete.
He’s somewhat lumbering as a runner, which can limit his margin for error as a blocker. It can take Helm a bit longer than expected to get into position if he has to cross the offensive formation or work up to the second level, and athletic defenders can beat him to a spot. Likewise, he has limited quickness and agility which can similarly shrink his margin for error and make it tough to adjust to athletic defenders. Those limitations also show up in his route running as he can be forced to round off sharply-breaking routes or obviously throttle down, which alerts defenders to break on the ball.
Helm will also struggle to pick up significant yards after the catch and won’t run away from many defenders at the NFL level.
His limited athleticism could also limit how he’s employed as an offensive weapon. Teams that use “hybrid” tight ends or as moveable pieces at receiver or out of the backfield may look elsewhere.
Game Tape
(Helm is the Texas tight end wearing No. 85)
Projection
How Helm is viewed could vary widely based on the team evaluating him. Most teams should at least see a good tight end prospect who can have a role on most downs and distances.
Some teams could view Helm as a good TE2 who complements a more athletic hybrid tight end in 12-personnel packages. Teams that primarily use 11-personnel packages could view Helm as a starting tight end, though teams that prefer to move their tight ends around the offensive formation to create favorable looks and matchups might prefer a more athletic prospect.
At the least, Helm should be able to help an offense by improving both pass protection and run blocking, as well as keep the chains moving as a reliable checkdown option. He might get overshadowed by more explosive athletes, but his reliability is an important asset that will have plenty of fans around the NFL.
Does he fit the Giants?
Yes, though not a need
Final Word: A later Day 2 value
