Best Landing Spots, Scheme Fits for Top TE Prospects in 2025 NFL Draft

Tight end isn't a premium position in the NFL, nor is it one that defines draft classes. However, the 2025 crop is one of the best in some time. It features three potential first-round picks, which hasn't occurred since 2017.

In a league where the likes of Travis Kelce, George Kittle, Mark Andrews, Trey McBride and Brock Bowers serve as their respective squads' top targets, the attitude towards the position has slowly changed over time. Bowers came in as a rookie this past season and shattered multiple records with 112 receptions for 1,194 yards despite playing on a team with significant quarterback issues.

Tight ends are often viewed as offensive security blankets. They're also a critical component to keep defenses honest.

"Our inability to control the middle of the field," Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters when asked about the need for a viable tight end, "which we've gotta be able to do, I've got to be able to give [head coach] Shane [Steichen] and them a guy that can really control the middle of the field, that teams have to account for and defend."

Six tight ends currently carry Day 1 or Day 2 draft grades from the Bleacher Report Scouting Department. Which teams should be looking to add these top prospects? Here, we've paired each one with ideal landing spots based on scheme fit and surrounding talent.

Colston Loveland, Michigan

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ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 2: Colston Loveland #18 of the Michigan Wolverines runs after the catch during the second half against the Oregon Ducks at Michigan Stadium on November 2, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Brandon Sloter/Image Of Sport/Getty Images)

Michigan's Colston Loveland was viewed as a premium draft prospect entering the 2024 campaign. He didn't do anything to hurt his stock this season, but he wasn't able to help it much, either.

The 6'5", 245-pound Loveland is an athletic and fluid tight end who served as a primary target in Michigan's run-dominated offense over the last two seasons. The junior prospect hauled in 101 receptions for 1,231 yards and nine touchdowns during that stretch. However, he was never able to transcend the scheme because of inconsistent-to-poor quarterback play this past season.

The Wolverines knew they had a special talent at the position and tried to manufacture touches for him, which is why he led the squad in all three major receiving categories. A shoulder injury hampered Loveland during his final season on campus, though, and he didn't play in Michigan's bowl appearance.

Still, no prospect in the class projects to be a better pure Y-tight end. He has plenty of experience working in-line while doubling as an excellent target.

Team Fits: Los Angeles Chargers, Denver Broncos, Philadelphia Eagles

Tyler Warren, Penn State

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MIAMI GARDENS, FL - JANUARY 09: Tight End Tyler Warren #44 of the Penn State Nittany Lions runs with the ball and stiff arms Linebacker Jaiden Ausberry #4 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the Penn State Nittany Lions versus Notre Dame Fighting Irish College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl on January 9, 2025, at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, FL. (Photo by Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Penn State's Tyler Warren is a modern tight end who's capable of making an impact from a multitude of alignments.

The reigning John Mackey Award winner led all Power Four tight ends (that's an important distinction for later) with 104 receptions and 1,233 receiving yards this past season. That's because his usage changed dramatically.

First-year coordinator Andy Kotelnicki made Warren the centerpiece of the Nittany Lions offense. The former high school quarterback started being used differently each week. He could be found out wide, in the slot, as a wing, in line, as a fullback or even at quarterback.

"As a defensive coordinator, you don't know where he will line up," head coach James Franklin said. "If the threat always lines up in the slot or always lines up in a three-by-one to the single side—if you always know where the receiver or the threat lines up, it makes it easier to defend the guy. But when he can line up really anywhere on the field, it makes it very challenging.

"His physical skills, his athletic skills and his intelligence allows us to use him in a ton of different ways and combine all of those things we have done throughout his career and do it all in one year. And sometimes all in one game."

Team Fits: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Rams

Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

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MOBILE, ALABAMA - DECEMBER 26: Tight end Harold Fannin Jr. #0 of the Bowling Green Falcons runs the ball down the sidelines during the first half of their game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves in the 68 Ventures Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium on December 26, 2024 in Mobile, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Chang/Getty Images)

Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. led the FBS with 117 receptions and 1,555 receiving yards. Both figures set records for the tight end position at college football's highest level.

"He really took this year as an opportunity to really grow up, to start developing and moving more towards what a pro looks like," Falcons head coach Scot Loeffler said. "He's done a great job of starting to learn and understand the game. His habits have been great. He's taking care of his body like a pro, training like you're supposed to train. So he really bought into our model of, 'You need to make this year look like you're a pro because you can be one.'"

However, Fannin isn't a traditional tight end. The 6'3", 231-pound target is more of an oversized wide receiver who can thrive as a power slot in a passing offense. His value comes from his ability to move around the formation.

"To his credit, he is handling it," Loeffler continued. "That's why I know he is going to be a great pro, because those hybrid tight ends that everyone's looking for, they do the same thing in the NFL."

While Fannin doesn't have ideal size or play strength for a tight end, he's a more-than-willing blocker.

Team Fits: Baltimore Ravens, Tennessee Titans, Carolina Panthers

Jake Briningstool, Clemson

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CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - DECEMBER 07: Jake Briningstool #9 of the Clemson Tigers catches a pass for a touchdown during the second half of the ACC Championship game against the Southern Methodist Mustangs at Bank of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by David Jensen/Getty Images)

Clemson's Jake Briningstool is an excellent example of an NFL prospect who experienced legitimate growth each season on campus.

"He looks like a pro out there," Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney said last March. "That's what he should look like. Going into his fourth year, the kid's played three years, he's got a lot of experience, he's kind of been through the battles and he looks very focused on what he wants to do. This kid's a great player, he's very talented and I'm just proud of him because he's matured.

"He was kind of a little immature early on, as far as what it was gonna take for him to get to be the best version of [himself]. But man, he's bought into it. He's a tough kid and he's a tough competitor, great finisher on the ball."

Briningstool's production increased with each year. The 6'6", 240-pound target hauled in 49 catches this past season for a career-high 530 yards and seven touchdowns.

The two-time third-team All-ACC selection is a long and athletic option who has the ability to threaten the seam and create mismatches against linebackers. However, he does have a thin frame, which could limit his effectiveness as an in-line option.

Team Fits: New York Jets, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Commanders

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse

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SYRACUSE, NY - NOVEMBER 23: Syracuse Orange Tight End Oronde Gadsden II (19) dives for the end zone after being hit by Connecticut Huskies Linebacker Langston Hardy (19) during the first half of the College Football game between the UConn Huskies and the Syracuse Orange on November 23, 2024, at the JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, NY. (Photo by Gregory Fisher/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Oronde Gadsden II first played wide receiver at Syracuse. Then he didn't. Really, he didn't do much differently. His positional designation simply changed.

The 6'5", 236-pound target is a power slot. He has thrived in that role, too.

In 2022 and 2024, Gadsden caught 134 passes for 1,909 yards and 13 touchdowns. Between those two campaigns, the legacy prospect suffered a season-ending Lisfranc injury that cost him all but two games.

Gadsden responded nicely this fall, finishing as one of three Orange pass-catchers with at least 70 receptions and 900 receiving yards.

Gadsden's father played eight seasons in the NFL as a wide receiver. His progeny is a different type of target since he's bigger, heavier and less explosive. However, the younger Gadsden knows how to use his size to shield himself from defenders and make difficult catches, particularly over the middle of the field and down the seam.

"I never felt any pressure to live up to his name," Gadsden said of his father to Pro Football Focus' Max Chadwick prior to the 2023 season. "He helped me a lot growing up, meeting different people, learning different things. He's given me hands-on coaching from age 5 until now. Now, he's really helping me out with the mental stuff. I was able to talk to and learn from Chad Johnson and Terrell Owens. I was able to work out with people that were better and older than me."

Team Fits: Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gunnar Helm, Texas

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ARLINGTON, TEXAS - JANUARY 10: Gunnar Helm #85 of the Texas Longhorns catches a pass during the Goodyear Cotton Bowl against the Ohio State Buckeyes at AT&T Stadium on January 10, 2025 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by CFP/Getty Images)

Texas' Gunnar Helm falls into the category of a prospect who's solid-to-good in every area but doesn't shine in one.

To Helm's credit, he showed marked improvement as a senior, with his production jumping from 12 to 60 receptions and 192 to 786 yards. In doing so, he set the Longhorns' single-season record for catches by a tight end.

"So Gunnar, I think we all know the path, his journey, the development that he's had in our program. (I'm) super proud of him. What I like about Gunnar is, you know, he's a really versatile guy," head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters. "He also has evolved his game now into a down the field threat and a guy who can make plays with the ball in his hands."

"He's a really good play-action pass tight end where we can find voids for him, but he also has evolved his game now into a down-the-field threat and a guy who can make plays with the ball in his hands with yards after the catch."

At 6'5", 250 pounds, Helm has the size and enough athleticism to make plays down the field and after the catch. He's not an elite athlete nor a strong in-line blocking option. But he's capable in all areas, which makes him an ideal candidate as a TE2 for some NFL squad that employs heavy 12-personnel looks.

Team Fits: New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars