Ranking 12 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft

And looking at how they might fit with the Philadelphia Eagles.

It’s draft season! I’ve been busy watching many of these prospects, so in the lead-up to the 2025 NFL Draft, I’ll release my Eagles-specific rankings. Before you read ahead, please keep in mind the following!

1. I have ranked these players based on the Eagles’ needs and scheme fits. Therefore, I may rank player ‘X’ above player ‘Y’ in terms of pure talent and my own personal rankings, but due to the Eagles’ needs and scheme fit, I have player ‘Y’ above player ‘X’.
2. Please focus more on the tiers rather than the exact numerical order. I use tiers when I have similar grades on players, and there might not be a lot of difference between players if they are in the same tier.
3. I may mention off-the-field and injury issues in the reports, but I don’t factor that in when ranking these prospects. We don’t have the necessary information.
4. If I haven’t ranked someone, I haven’t watched them! If you’d like me to watch someone in particular, feel free to comment, and I’ll try to get to them before the draft.

You can check out my podcast feed here to hear more from me. Also, I’ll release an Eagles-specific Draft Guide closer to the NFL Draft on my Patreon, which will include more information on each player.

Previously: Running Back / Wide Receiver

Tight End

Tier 1

1. Colston Loveland, Michigan, 6-5 3/4 248

Overall: Loveland is a high-upside pass-catching tight end who pairs size and straight-line speed with natural hands. He’s not dominant as a blocker or route technician yet, but his traits give him clear starter upside while starting out in a flex/move TE role. If he adds strength and sharpens his routes, he could become an outstanding starter in the NFL. His movement skills are exactly what you want to see from the position!

Eagles Thoughts: If he gets anywhere near 32, the Eagles should consider moving up for him. I don’t think he will though!

2. Tyler Warren, Penn State, 6-5 1/2 256

Overall: A very versatile and productive tight end who is a freak after the catch. Warren blends reliable hands, after-the-catch ability, and a competitive play style. His blocking and route detail still need work, but he plays with real physicality and brings value in multiple roles. He should be a quality NFL starter who can be used in a variety of ways as a rookie.

Eagles Thoughts: No chance! He’s going very early. The Eagles would love him though.

Tier 2

3. Elijah Arroyo, Miami (Fla.), 6-5 1/8 250

Overall: Arroyo is a dynamic pass-catching tight end who finally broke out in 2024 after years hampered by injuries. The 2024 film is very fun. He offers rare vertical ability for the position, smooth athleticism, and YAC. He’s still growing as a route technician and blocker, but has high upside. He can develop into a legitimate three-down weapon.

Eagles Thoughts: I really like Arroyo. Honestly, I think the 2024 film isn’t far off being worth the 32nd pick. However, his injury history and lack of production would push him down to round 2 for me. 32 is a little too rich, but he has first-round upside.

4. Mason Taylor, LSU, 6-5 1/8 251

Overall: I think Mason Taylor profiles as an outstanding TE2, who has the chance to develop into a TE1. He has steady hands, smooth movement, and a savvy football IQ. However, his lack of route refinement, play strength, and blocking consistency make him more of a developmental “move” tight end early in his career. Taylor doesn’t have elite traits but offers enough athleticism and football smarts to be a solid tight end. I don’t see how he’s not a productive tight end. The floor feels high.

Eagles Thoughts: I think the upside is a little limited for pick 32, but I would certainly consider him in the 2nd round. He looks a safe prospect, but I question his upside a little.

5. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon, 6-5 3/8 247

Overall: Ferguson offers a balanced, reliable presence at tight end and he could develop into a TE1 in the future. He may lack any elite traits, but his athleticism, experience, and positional versatility make him a high-floor prospect who projects as a TE2 with the chance to grow into more. His biggest issue is his blocking technique, and he needs to work on this in order to get onto the field.

Eagles Thoughts: I really like Ferguson as a TE2 who can potentially develop into a future TE1 if he improves his blocking. The second round would be risky, but the athletic testing is so good that I would consider him there.

Tier 3

6. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green, 6-3 1/4 241

Overall: I don’t love the way he moves on film, but you can’t just ignore the production. Fannin is a hybrid tight end who just had a historic season. He’s light for the position and needs polish as a route runner and blocker. But, his ball skills, YAC ability, and alignment flexibility make him a strong option as a H-back or flex player.

Eagles Thoughts: Hmm. I think he might go earlier than I would be comfortable with, but if he is available in the 3rd, you would have to seriously consider it. The production was outstanding and he could give the Eagles some YAC ability in the short game.

7. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame, 6-5 258

Overall: Evans brings a physical edge to the passing game and flashes promise as a run blocker. While not explosive or refined in his route running, he consistently wins with body control, natural hands and decent build up speed. He struggles after the catch and has a worrying injury history though.

Eagles Thoughts: I think he could be a steady backup if the Eagles decide they need another tight end in the room. I think he has some vertical juice that the Eagles don’t currently have at tight end, so I wouldn’t mind him in round 4.

Tier 4

8. Gunnar Helm, Texas, 6-5 241

Overall: Gunner Helm is a high-floor, low-ceiling tight end whose lack of athleticism limits his upside. He lacks athletic burst and won’t be a mismatch at the next level, but his dependable hands, good football IQ, and effort as a blocker give him value as a depth TE. He’s a safe, reliable option who can fill a variety of roles for an offense.

Eagles Thoughts: I had Gunnar Helm as a round 3 option, but moved him down after his athletic testing. I wouldn’t mind adding Gunnar Helm to the Eagles’ tight end room as he is a useful player, but the lack of upside pushes him to day 3.

9. Jake Briningstool, Clemson, 6-5 241

Overall: Briningstool is a long, athletic tight end with the movement skills and ball-tracking ability to be a reliable pass-catching option. His ability to separate vertically, extend for difficult catches, and operate as a big slot receiver gives him starter-level upside as a mismatch weapon. He needs more strength and technical refinement as a blocker to be a full-time player though. He won’t get on the field much with his current blocking ability.

Eagles Thoughts: I think he’s an interesting option to add around rounds 4-5, but he needs to add some size and power to improve his blocking, or his playing time will be limited.

10. Thomas Fidone II, Nebraska, 6-5 243

Overall: Fidone II is a high-upside project who plays with a wild physical edge, natural pass-catching ability, and just enough athleticism. After suffering two back-to-back ACL’s he returned to play two full seasons but the production has never matched the tools and questions remain about whether he’s an inline tight end, a move piece, or something in between.

Eagles Thoughts: I would have more interest in this type of tight end if the Eagles didn’t add Kylen Granson who profiles similarly. Still, Granson is no guarantee to make the team, and I love how unhinged Fidone II is. He just wants to hit people. I want guys like him on my team on day 3.

11. Jackson Hawkes, Georgia Tech, 6-4 253

Overall: Hawes is an old-school tight end who thrives as a blocker and brings a nasty edge. His blocking tape is among the best in this class — whether on the edge, downfield, or in pass protection. However, his receiving profile is almost non-existent and unlikely to develop significantly, so he will be a role player at the next level.

Eagles Thoughts: The Eagles run the ball a lot, and don’t have a great run blocking option on the roster outside of Dallas Goedert. Hawkes in the middle of day 3 would make sense as a Jack Stoll replacement if the Eagles decide they need someone who fits this profile.

12. Benjamin Yurosek, Georgia, 6-4 245

Overall: Yurosek might go undrafted, but I’ve heard excellent things about his 2021/2022 film (hence why I watched him). That player might not exist anymore due to some serious injuries affecting his production, but he does move well and has flashed some good ball skills before his injuries.

Eagles Thoughts: I would take a shot on him as a reclamation project as a UDFA or at the end of day 3.

As always, thank you for reading. If you want more detailed notes on each player (including strengths and weaknesses), then please check out the Draft Guide via Patreon.