FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr. And check out our entire 2025 NFL Draft Guide.
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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Harold Fannin Jr.
Harold Fannin Jr. (TE – Bowling Green)
6-foot-4 | 230 Pounds
Background
Harold Fannin Jr. is an Ohio native who caught 19-218-1 (11.5) as a freshman before taking over a starting role the following year, posting 44-623-6 (14.2) in 2023. Had a monster junior season of 117-1,555-10 (13.3) this past season before declaring for the 2025 NFL Draft, earning consensus All-American honors.
Positives
Fannin was a two-year starter with rapidly escalating production, culminating in a very productive, high-volume 2024 campaign. Versatile tight end who moves around the formation and can play in-line, in the slot, out wide or as an H-back, with his snaps relatively evenly divided. The team made a concerted effort to get the ball in his hands, with shorter routes underneath the defense, delayed releases into the flat, overs and seam routes.
Able to slip past jams at the line. Smooth accelerator who can glide down the seams for chunk plays. Puts some window dressing on routes at the stem, and works to sink his hips and snap routes off. Understands how to create natural picks for rub routes. Has very solid hands, with just five career drops against 180 career receptions, per Pro Football Focus (PFF).
Shows good focus and concentration in contested catch situations or with a hit incoming. Fannin had some issues with contested catches in the past, but went 12/22 (54.5%) there this past year, per PFF. Has a little bit of wiggle and flexibility after the catch. Works hard to block through the whistle. Does a nice job of playing within his frame and placing his hands. His functional strength as an in-line blocker is better than anticipated for a player of his size.
Negatives
Has produced against some premier programs, but will be making a fairly significant leap up in the week-to-week level of competition. Fannin’s frame is on the thin side for a pro tight end. Smooth, but not the most natural runner, and doesn’t seem to have much of an extra gear to his game. Not the most explosive out of his breaks and might struggle to consistently run away from man coverage.
At the college level, Fannin was often schemed nice looks through picks rubs or delayed releases after chipping. Would like to see him do a better job of identifying and settling into soft spots in zone coverage. Occasionally runs himself into coverage. Looks better blocking in a phone booth than he does positioning himself when working in space. Seems to struggle to anticipate and line up opponents, despite having the athleticism to reach them. Took a few snaps in pass protection and is still working on his awareness/recognition there.
Summary
A high-volume receiver in college with smooth movement skills, some attention to detail as a route-runner, soft/natural hands and better functional strength than anticipated. Coming off of an incredibly productive junior year, Fannin is flying up draft boards, but still has some areas of his game to develop, namely blocking in space and his feel for zone coverage.
While he’s not the fastest or most explosive tight end you’ll ever see, he should be able to provide a team with a pretty reliable target down the seams and underneath the defense. Might be drafted a bit higher than I’d take him, potentially within the top 75 picks or so.
Projection: Round 3
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