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2025 NFL Rookie Rankings: Tight Ends (Fantasy Football)

Last year’s NFL rookie tight end class had one elite prospect and several intriguing options. While Brock Bowers went on to have one of the best seasons for any tight end, let alone a rookie, the rest of the class had little fantasy football impact.

However, the 2025 tight end draft class has a significantly different outlook. While it lacks an elite prospect like Bowers, this year’s tight end class could have three first-round picks and as many as seven come off the board in the first three rounds.

Let’s look at the top 10 rookie tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft.

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Top 10 NFL Rookie Tight Ends

1) Tyler Warren (Penn State)

Penn State has produced several starting-caliber tight ends. However, Warren has a chance to be one of the best tight ends in the NFL, even as a rookie. He was the focal point of Penn State’s offense in 2024, leading the team in receptions (104), receiving yards (1,233), and touchdowns (eight), easily setting career highs in every category. Furthermore, Warren is an excellent athlete, totaling 26 rushing attempts for 218 yards and four touchdowns. He is the perfect mix of T.J. Hockenson and Taysom Hill’s rushing abilities and athleticism.

2) Colston Loveland (Michigan)

Unfortunately, Loveland missed multiple games in 2024 because of injury. Yet, he was Michigan’s only consistent and reliable weapon in the passing game, totaling 56 receptions for 582 receiving yards and a career-high five touchdowns despite the team’s disaster at the quarterback position. Loveland has the speed to beat linebackers and slower safeties while being big enough to overpower typical defensive backs. He didn’t have eye-popping numbers in college, totaling 1,466 receiver yards in 39 career games. However, Loveland should be a difference-maker early in his NFL career.

3) Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green)

While Bowling Green hasn’t produced many high-end NFL prospects, Fannin could become only the second first-round pick in school history. The MAC star led the conference and all of FBS in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555). He also had a team-high 10 receiving touchdowns after totaling seven over his first two years at Bowling Green. The two knocks against Fannin are the level of competition and the one-year of production. Yet, neither should stop NFL teams with a late first-round pick from drafting him this year.

4) Gunnar Helm (Texas)

The tight end class takes a significant dip after the first three prospects. Yet, Helm is far from a consolation prize. The former Longhorn had little impact before the 2024 season, totaling 19 receptions and two touchdowns over his first three years. However, he had a breakout Senior season with Ja’Tavion Sanders off to the NFL, leading the team with 60 receptions for 786 yards and seven touchdowns. Furthermore, Helm was a reliable middle-of-the-field option for Quinn Ewers. The former Texas star should be a top-60 pick.

5) Mason Taylor (LSU)

Taylor didn’t have massive numbers during his time at LSU. He finished with 129 receptions for 1,308 receiving yards and six touchdowns. However, Taylor’s final season was the best of his college career, totaling 55 receptions for 546 receiving yards and two scores. The former LSU tight end can play all over the field, creating mismatches on offense. Some scouts believe he has the most natural hands of any tight end in the draft class. While Taylor won’t be a top-50 draft pick, he should have a fantasy-relevant NFL career.

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The Rest of the Top 10

6) Elijah Arroyo (Miami)
7) Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse)
8) Terrance Ferguson (Oregon)
9) Jake Briningstool (Clemson)
10) Luke Lachey (Iowa)

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Mike Fanelli is a featured writer at FantasyPros. For more from Mike, check out his archive and follow him @Mike_NFL2.

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