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While the New England Patriots currently have two tight ends under contract, Hunter Henry and Austin Hooper, tight end is a position that still feels like it needs a long-term answer.
Hooper is on a one-year deal, and Hunter Henry, while still productive, is entering the back half of his career. If the Patriots are serious about developing Drake Maye, they need to invest in a dynamic, vertical threat at the position — someone who can grow alongside their rookie quarterback.
Fortunately, this tight end class offers a solid mix of athleticism, versatility and long-term upside. In many of my mock drafts, I’ve had the Patriots targeting this group somewhere in the second or third round. It’s a position of future need, and one they shouldn’t ignore. Let’s break down the top 10 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft.
Jake Briningstool is a big-bodied, seam-stretching receiver at tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 241 pounds, he’s long, lean and moves like a power forward. He’s a sharp route runner, consistent hands catcher and red zone mismatch who can be used in a variety of alignments.
He’s not going to hold up much in blocking situations and doesn’t offer true breakaway speed. But he understands how to uncover and finish plays — and if used properly, can be a Mike Gesicki-type contributor in a spread-out system. A good late-round value as a pass-game contributor.
Luke Lachey is a developmental tight end with ideal size (6’6”, 251 lbs) and strong football roots — his father is former NFL All-Pro Jim Lachey. He’s a soft-handed target with zone awareness, great catch radius and versatility. He plays with discipline and is known for his character and coachability.
He’ll need refinement as a blocker and doesn’t have elite athleticism. His college production was limited, and he’ll be 24 years old by opening week. But Iowa knows how to develop tight ends, and Lachey is a worthwhile Day 3 investment with a solid floor.
Terrance Ferguson is a lean, athletic slot-style tight end who creates mismatches with his length and route-running. At 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds with a 4.63 40-yard dash, Ferguson thrives in space and offers real value as a red zone threat. He’s smooth in and out of breaks and has reliable hands.
He struggles as a blocker and doesn’t have the elite burst you'd hope for in a flex tight end. Still, there’s big slot upside in his game, and he could carve out a career as a specialist in the passing game. Think Day 3 pick with rotational upside.
Mitchell Evans plays with toughness and balance at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. He’s a throwback tight end — a true in-line option who embraces blocking assignments and grinds over the middle. He’s not flashy, but he’s physical, reliable and experienced. Like most Notre Dame tight ends, he’s sound technically and brings alignment flexibility.
The issue is his health: a broken foot in 2022 and an ACL tear in 2023 have stunted his development. He also lacks YAC ability and explosiveness in his routes. But if healthy, Evans is a plug-and-play TE2 and special teamer who brings grit and versatility.
Gunnar Helm is the steady, do-it-all type tight end that coaches love. He doesn’t blow you away with speed or explosion, but he’s dependable in every facet. At 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, Helm has good body control, dependable hands and a willingness to block. He’s a solid route-runner against zone and shows just enough wiggle to create separation underneath.
Helm lacks a true “plus” trait — he’s not overly fast, strong or agile. But he’s a coachable, tough player who could develop into a reliable TE2 or TE3 in the right system. He’s the kind of mid-to-late round tight end you stash and develop, especially in a room with veterans like Hunter Henry.
Harold Fannin Jr. is an offensive weapon more than a traditional tight end. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, he’s explosive, agile and highly productive. He’s lined up everywhere — big slot, H-back, move tight end — and has the numbers to back it up: 26 receptions of 20-plus yards and 13.3 yards per catch. He’s twitchy, reliable and dangerous after the catch.
He’s undersized for an in-line role and needs development in his release and counter moves. He’s also not likely to ever be a great blocker. But in today’s league, teams crave these types of chess pieces, and Fannin checks that box with clear third-round value.
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with a 4.69 40-yard dash, Elijah Arroyo has the size and athleticism to be a dynamic tight end in the league. He’s got vertical juice, soft hands and a natural feel for space, making him a problem against zone. Arroyo can align anywhere and has real juice after the catch. Think Jonnu Smith or Isaiah Likely when projecting his game.
There are red flags, though. His left knee has cost him parts of back-to-back seasons, and he’s still refining his blocking technique. He’s only put together one year of high-end tape. But if you believe in the medicals and the upside, Arroyo is the kind of mid-round steal who could become a true weapon in the passing game.
Mason Taylor, the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, brings elite pedigree and polish. At 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, Taylor’s game is built on intelligence, route-running nuance and reliability. He’s a smooth mover with strong hands, impressive ball tracking and the kind of veteran savvy that comes from growing up around the NFL.
He’s mostly a slot/move tight end and not a dominant inline blocker. He needs to improve his play strength and pad level in protection, and his overall athletic burst is average. Still, his preparation, technique and feel for space make him a high-floor tight end with clear TE2 value and upside to grow into more.
Colston Loveland is one of the most naturally gifted receiving tight ends in the class. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, with a 4.7 40-yard dash time, he moves like a big-bodied wide receiver. He’s a fluid route runner, a natural hands catcher and a true mismatch weapon down the seam. Loveland brings explosive upside after the catch — running angry, shedding tackles and finishing plays with juice. He’s versatile in alignment and quick mentally, processing coverages like a seasoned pro.
Still, he’s developing. He struggles to sustain blocks and is overpowered at times. His sharpness on breaks can come and go, and he’ll need to add strength to become more than just a pass-catching specialist. But the upside is real. Loveland is a first-round-caliber playmaker and one of the most dangerous vertical tight ends in the draft.
Tyler Warren is an absolute monster of a tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds with a 4.68 40-yard dash, he draws natural comparisons to Rob Gronkowski — not just in size, but in how he plays the game. He’s a true mismatch weapon with the ability to run vertically, stack defenders down the seam and dominate in the red zone. Warren’s body control and physicality allow him to box out defenders with ease, and his reliable hands make him a go-to option in traffic.
He’s not just a red-zone threat — he’s a creative offensive chess piece. Warren has scored rushing touchdowns out of the Wildcat, thrown passes and lined up everywhere from in-line to out wide. His football IQ and awareness jump off the screen, and he plays with leadership and energy that’s contagious. As a blocker, he’s growing. While his hand placement needs refinement, he’s already showing improvement as an in-line presence, and he can chip or pass protect when asked.
Warren might not be a top-15 overall pick, but he’s one of the three best pure pass catchers in the entire class — and arguably the best tight end. He’s the type of player a team can build around at the position.
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This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 tight ends
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Hooper is on a one-year deal, and Hunter Henry, while still productive, is entering the back half of his career. If the Patriots are serious about developing Drake Maye, they need to invest in a dynamic, vertical threat at the position — someone who can grow alongside their rookie quarterback.
Fortunately, this tight end class offers a solid mix of athleticism, versatility and long-term upside. In many of my mock drafts, I’ve had the Patriots targeting this group somewhere in the second or third round. It’s a position of future need, and one they shouldn’t ignore. Let’s break down the top 10 tight ends in the 2025 NFL Draft.
10. Jake Briningstool, Clemson
Jake Briningstool is a big-bodied, seam-stretching receiver at tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 241 pounds, he’s long, lean and moves like a power forward. He’s a sharp route runner, consistent hands catcher and red zone mismatch who can be used in a variety of alignments.
He’s not going to hold up much in blocking situations and doesn’t offer true breakaway speed. But he understands how to uncover and finish plays — and if used properly, can be a Mike Gesicki-type contributor in a spread-out system. A good late-round value as a pass-game contributor.
9. Luke Lachey, Iowa
Luke Lachey is a developmental tight end with ideal size (6’6”, 251 lbs) and strong football roots — his father is former NFL All-Pro Jim Lachey. He’s a soft-handed target with zone awareness, great catch radius and versatility. He plays with discipline and is known for his character and coachability.
He’ll need refinement as a blocker and doesn’t have elite athleticism. His college production was limited, and he’ll be 24 years old by opening week. But Iowa knows how to develop tight ends, and Lachey is a worthwhile Day 3 investment with a solid floor.
8. Terrance Ferguson, Oregon
Terrance Ferguson is a lean, athletic slot-style tight end who creates mismatches with his length and route-running. At 6-foot-5 and 247 pounds with a 4.63 40-yard dash, Ferguson thrives in space and offers real value as a red zone threat. He’s smooth in and out of breaks and has reliable hands.
He struggles as a blocker and doesn’t have the elite burst you'd hope for in a flex tight end. Still, there’s big slot upside in his game, and he could carve out a career as a specialist in the passing game. Think Day 3 pick with rotational upside.
7. Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame
Mitchell Evans plays with toughness and balance at 6-foot-5 and 258 pounds. He’s a throwback tight end — a true in-line option who embraces blocking assignments and grinds over the middle. He’s not flashy, but he’s physical, reliable and experienced. Like most Notre Dame tight ends, he’s sound technically and brings alignment flexibility.
The issue is his health: a broken foot in 2022 and an ACL tear in 2023 have stunted his development. He also lacks YAC ability and explosiveness in his routes. But if healthy, Evans is a plug-and-play TE2 and special teamer who brings grit and versatility.
6. Gunnar Helm, Texas
Gunnar Helm is the steady, do-it-all type tight end that coaches love. He doesn’t blow you away with speed or explosion, but he’s dependable in every facet. At 6-foot-5 and 241 pounds, Helm has good body control, dependable hands and a willingness to block. He’s a solid route-runner against zone and shows just enough wiggle to create separation underneath.
Helm lacks a true “plus” trait — he’s not overly fast, strong or agile. But he’s a coachable, tough player who could develop into a reliable TE2 or TE3 in the right system. He’s the kind of mid-to-late round tight end you stash and develop, especially in a room with veterans like Hunter Henry.
5. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green
Harold Fannin Jr. is an offensive weapon more than a traditional tight end. At 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds, he’s explosive, agile and highly productive. He’s lined up everywhere — big slot, H-back, move tight end — and has the numbers to back it up: 26 receptions of 20-plus yards and 13.3 yards per catch. He’s twitchy, reliable and dangerous after the catch.
He’s undersized for an in-line role and needs development in his release and counter moves. He’s also not likely to ever be a great blocker. But in today’s league, teams crave these types of chess pieces, and Fannin checks that box with clear third-round value.
4. Elijah Arroyo, Miami
At 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds with a 4.69 40-yard dash, Elijah Arroyo has the size and athleticism to be a dynamic tight end in the league. He’s got vertical juice, soft hands and a natural feel for space, making him a problem against zone. Arroyo can align anywhere and has real juice after the catch. Think Jonnu Smith or Isaiah Likely when projecting his game.
There are red flags, though. His left knee has cost him parts of back-to-back seasons, and he’s still refining his blocking technique. He’s only put together one year of high-end tape. But if you believe in the medicals and the upside, Arroyo is the kind of mid-round steal who could become a true weapon in the passing game.
3. Mason Taylor, LSU
Mason Taylor, the son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, brings elite pedigree and polish. At 6-foot-5 and 251 pounds, Taylor’s game is built on intelligence, route-running nuance and reliability. He’s a smooth mover with strong hands, impressive ball tracking and the kind of veteran savvy that comes from growing up around the NFL.
He’s mostly a slot/move tight end and not a dominant inline blocker. He needs to improve his play strength and pad level in protection, and his overall athletic burst is average. Still, his preparation, technique and feel for space make him a high-floor tight end with clear TE2 value and upside to grow into more.
2. Colston Loveland, Michigan
Colston Loveland is one of the most naturally gifted receiving tight ends in the class. At 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, with a 4.7 40-yard dash time, he moves like a big-bodied wide receiver. He’s a fluid route runner, a natural hands catcher and a true mismatch weapon down the seam. Loveland brings explosive upside after the catch — running angry, shedding tackles and finishing plays with juice. He’s versatile in alignment and quick mentally, processing coverages like a seasoned pro.
Still, he’s developing. He struggles to sustain blocks and is overpowered at times. His sharpness on breaks can come and go, and he’ll need to add strength to become more than just a pass-catching specialist. But the upside is real. Loveland is a first-round-caliber playmaker and one of the most dangerous vertical tight ends in the draft.
1. Tyler Warren, Penn State
Tyler Warren is an absolute monster of a tight end. At 6-foot-6 and 256 pounds with a 4.68 40-yard dash, he draws natural comparisons to Rob Gronkowski — not just in size, but in how he plays the game. He’s a true mismatch weapon with the ability to run vertically, stack defenders down the seam and dominate in the red zone. Warren’s body control and physicality allow him to box out defenders with ease, and his reliable hands make him a go-to option in traffic.
He’s not just a red-zone threat — he’s a creative offensive chess piece. Warren has scored rushing touchdowns out of the Wildcat, thrown passes and lined up everywhere from in-line to out wide. His football IQ and awareness jump off the screen, and he plays with leadership and energy that’s contagious. As a blocker, he’s growing. While his hand placement needs refinement, he’s already showing improvement as an in-line presence, and he can chip or pass protect when asked.
Warren might not be a top-15 overall pick, but he’s one of the three best pure pass catchers in the entire class — and arguably the best tight end. He’s the type of player a team can build around at the position.
Follow Patriots Wire on Twitter and Facebook.
This article originally appeared on Patriots Wire: 2025 NFL draft: Ranking and evaluating the top-10 tight ends
Continue reading...
