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TIGHT END…lol at the comment on Mason that he has Jason Taylor’s frame but Zach’s length
NFL teams have been gobbling up wide receivers in the first round at a record pace in the past five drafts. Given the shortage of wideouts this year, look for clubs to dip early into what could be one of the finest collections of tight ends ever.
“I think this group has risen because the (wide) receivers are just mediocre,” an executive in personnel for an AFC team said.
Tight ends have been a first-round irregularity almost since the position gained its identity around 1960. The record for most first-round tight ends is three: in 1970, 1973, 1978, 2002 and 2017.
Since O.J. Howard went 19th, Evan Engram went 23rd and David Njoku went 29th in 2017, only five tight ends have been first-round selections.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are first-round locks. Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor figure to fall next, possibly in the first round but almost certainly by No. 40. A month before the draft, one personnel man has all four with first-round grades.
“Loveland and Warren are 1-2, in either order,” another AFC personnel man said. “The next three are interchangeable depending on your flavor. You could even throw three more in there as starting dudes. The top five could all make an impact right away. There’s a lot of talent.”
3. ELIJAH ARROYO, Miami (6-5, 250, no 40, 1-2): Suffered a torn ACL in mid-2022 and then battled injuries in 2023, playing in just six games. Started 13 times in 2024. “He exploded on the scene this year,” said one scout. “One of the most impressive interviews I had. Really good kid who will be a really good pro. He can align in any position and contribute in the pass game, and you do not have any type of decline as a run blocker. He can line up in the backfield, next to the tackle, in the slot, outside. You can do all your run-game stuff. He is a good enough athlete to catch and create after the catch.” Thirty-five of his career 46 catches came last season. Finished with 753 yards (16.4) and eight TDs. “Warren’s a better blocker, Arroyo’s a better athlete,” another scout said. “Arroyo’s in the Kelce camp, Warren’s in the Gronkowski camp.” Hurt his knee in the Senior Bowl game after a tremendous week of practice and couldn’t work at the combine. “I had never heard of him (before 2024),” a third scout said. “He was a pleasant surprise. This guy can run. He’s got a proportioned body. He’ll fight as a blocker. He’s going to be a good pro if he can stay healthy. You could get him probably in the top of the second round and be pretty happy. Maybe first round.” Four-year recruit from Frisco, Texas. “Not very productive in their offense but he can run routes, he’s athletic as can be, he’s fast, has really good hands,” said a third scout. “He does have some issues adjusting to tough catches. Surprisingly, he’s a really good blocker in space stuff and edges. In-line, you don’t want him in there that much. He’s got play-maker talent. He’s worth a late first-round pick.”
4. MASON TAYLOR, Louisiana State (6-5, 252, no 40, 1-2): Rewrote the LSU record book for tight ends as a three-year starter. “He’s a smooth-moving athlete,” one scout said. “He’s quick in his routes. Excellent feel. He’s a big guy that uses his size. Natural hands catcher. Run after the catch, he’s pretty tough. He’ll work as a blocker. He’ll keep getting better. I don’t think they (the Tigers) used him (enough). He should have been more productive but their offense was kind of a mess. He’s going to be really good.” Starting 37 of 38 games, he finished with 129 receptions for 1,308 (10.1) and a mere six TDs. “He’s a real good player, a starting player in the league,” said a second scout. “I just don’t see the blocker. He probably doesn’t play a gritty, tough, physical game. I think he sees himself as a little bit more of a finesse player. He is smooth. He gets open. He’s good after the catch. He’s an athlete.” His father, Jason, made the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a 15-year career as a defensive end in which he registered 139 ½ sacks. At the 1997 combine, Jason (6-6, 243) ran 4.67 and scored 32 on the Wonderlic test. The Dolphins drafted him in the third round out of Akron. “I scouted his daddy,” said a third scout. “He was a tall, lanky, skinny kid. Never thought he’d turn out to be as good as he was. This kid is built like his dad. Long, lean. Great kid. No problems with him. I’m sure the dad has been teaching him how to do it. He’s followed his dad’s footsteps.” Jason married the sister of Zach Thomas, the Dolphins’ 5-11 Hall of Fame inside linebacker. “He’s got Jason Taylor’s frame but Zach’s length,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got 32-inch arms but he will compete as a blocker. He’s a very good, dependable receiver. You’ll scheme him open and he’ll catch a ball in the flat and get 15 yards. He’s trustworthy. During the season, you’d have thought he was a third-rounder. But now, after you squeeze the draft, he’s probably a solid second-rounder.” From Plantation, Fla.
5. HAROLD FANNIN, Bowling Green (6-3, 241, 4.76, 2-3): Led the NCAA in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) in 2024. Both were FBS records for a tight end. “I would say that the staff at Bowling Green has done a better job with that football player making him the center of the offense and finding ways to get him the ball than anybody in the country,” one scout said. “That guy will be a lightning rod to talk about because he’s not fast. Most of his catches were within eight yards of the line of scrimmage. He catches the snot out of the ball. More than anybody in the class he’s got natural run-after-the-catch instincts. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s like a running back in the open field. What’s difficult about him from a draft perspective is he’s not a vertical receiver. For a guy that small, normally those dudes people get excited about run 4.5. It makes you pause a little bit how (high) you’re going to take him. He is not going to get open on his own. He separates by pushing off on guys. A safety will be riding him but all of a sudden Harold will reach up, push off and now he’s got as much separation as anybody.” Started one of 12 games in 2022 as a true freshman, then eight of 11 as a sophomore before breaking out. “I wanted not to like him but, man, this guy, he just gets open and catches everything,” said a second scout. “He’s got a stiff lower body and looks kind of odd when he runs. He’s not the quickest but he just finds a way. You can put it anywhere near him and he’s gonna catch it. Somebody’s on him? Doesn’t matter. As a blocker, I don’t even know if you need a great blocker anymore the way tight ends are used now. He’ll give some effort but you’ve got to use him for his strengths.” Was Bowling Green’s first consensus All-America pick. “My God, they threw 900 passes and he caught 117 of ‘em for 86 yards,” said a third scout. “He made a few plays; I shouldn’t discount him. He’s duck-footed. He competed some as a run-after-catch guy. But, wow, I was disappointed.” His team and another graded Fannin in the fourth-to-fifth round range. “He’s so stiff but he’s physically self-aware and has figured out a way to overcome it,” a fourth scout said. “For a stiff guy he is a dynamic route runner and has great ball skills and tremendous instincts. He’ll play.” Finished with 180 receptions for 2,396 (13.3) and 17 TDs. Also rushed 33 times for 159 (4.8) and five scores. Played safety, wide receiver and returned kicks in high school at Canton (Ohio) McKinley.
6. TERRANCE FERGUSON, Oregon (6-5 ½, 247, 4.63, 3): Started more games than not during a four-year career. “He’s played there for a really long time,” one scout said. “You know exactly what you’re getting with him. He did really well in Indianapolis (at the combine). He’s fluid and smooth. Faster than he looks. Got natural hands. He’s tall, long, athletic fast — and that’s what guys are looking for at the position. I think the scouting community is higher on him than the coaching community because of his issue as a blocker. He’s a pass catcher only. He does not have the ability to block. He’ll be able to start if you deploy ‘12’ personnel and one guy is your pass catcher and one is your blocker.” His combine results included the fastest 40 at the position and the best vertical jump (39 inches). “His blocking was more consistent in 2023,” a second scout said. “He’s a starting NFL tight end. He’s a better overall player than Taylor but they’re graded the same. He’s a little bit better blocker and Mason’s a little smoother as a route runner.” Finished with 134 receptions for 1,537 (11.5) and 16 TDs. “He’s proved he can get down the field,” a third scout said. “Is he tough enough and strong enough to block? He’s a starter.” From Littleton, Colo.
7. JAKE BRININGSTOOL, Clemson (6-5 ½, 240, 4.77, 3-4): Backed up in 2021-’22 before starting 25 games the past two seasons. “Outstanding athlete,” said one scout. “Got good grit and toughness. He will give good effort in his blocking. Holds his own as a blocker. You’re not going to rely on him to capture the edge in a zone scheme. He’s a receiving tight end. You can line him up just about anywhere. He can make plays. You can put him at wide receiver and that puts stress on the defense. If he fit the offense I was running I’d take him in the third round.” His 127 receptions set the record for a tight end at Clemson. Finished with 1,380 yards (10.9) and 17 TDs. Short arms (31 ½), tiny hands (8 5/8). From Brentwood, Tenn.
8. GUNNAR HELM, Texas (6-5, 241, 4.92, 4): Made 10 starts in 39 games from 2021-’23, catching just 19 passes. Started 15 games for a prolific offense last year and had 60 receptions. “He’s a production catcher,” said one scout. “He’s smart and has good hands. As far as having dynamic speed, quickness, run after the catch or blocking as a Y, I don’t see it. He’s a Y stick guy, a possession Y. He really can’t block anybody without help. Areas to be worked on are his blocking and escaping press coverage.” Finished with 79 receptions for 1,022 (12.9) and nine TDs. “He’s my No. 6 tight end but I think he’ll be a solid player,” a second scout said. “He won’t be a star or anything. Kind of does everything OK. Not the most gifted athlete but good enough. As a blocker, he’ll get in the way and put his face in stuff. He can position and work. The hands are good. Not a playmaker by any stretch running after the catch. He’ll start. Cole Kmet had a little more to him, a little more talent than this guy but that’s a good comparison.” From Englewood, Colo.
Said one scout: “His dad, Jim, played at Ohio State (and 11 years in the NFL as a Pro Bowl left tackle). He wasn’t good enough for Ohio State so Iowa took him as a developmental kind of guy. He’s not (Sam) LaPorta, he’s not Dallas Clark, he’s not there yet. He is a skilled, big athlete. He was derailed by injury (ankle surgery) a year ago and then poor quarterback play. He can be an NFL starter with two or three more years of development.”
Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh (6-4 ½, 246, 4.71)
Said one scout: “When (Kenny) Pickett was the quarterback (in 2022) this was his guy and he showed a lot of run and catch. He’s going to be a really good No. 2. Very high character kid. Do whatever you ask.”
Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse (6-4 ½, 241, 4.67)
Said one scout: “If someone has a vision of how to use him he could be a real weapon. Like an oversized wideout or an undersized tight end. Very talented, very athletic. I’d rather have him than Fannin.”
Moliki Motavao, UCLA (6-5 ½, 260, 4.80)
Said one scout: “He’s actually pretty smooth for that big a player. They just don’t build people that big at that position anymore. He’ll make a team as a No. 2 and eventually develop into a starter.”
Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame (6-5 ½, 258, 4.80)
Said one scout: “I admire him. He’s really fought through injuries. He is tough. He struggles to bend his knees and get in a leverage position (as a blocker) – not because of effort but the injuries. This year, early, he was having a hard time, but when you watch the playoff games he’s a good route runner and has really good hands
NFL teams have been gobbling up wide receivers in the first round at a record pace in the past five drafts. Given the shortage of wideouts this year, look for clubs to dip early into what could be one of the finest collections of tight ends ever.
“I think this group has risen because the (wide) receivers are just mediocre,” an executive in personnel for an AFC team said.
Tight ends have been a first-round irregularity almost since the position gained its identity around 1960. The record for most first-round tight ends is three: in 1970, 1973, 1978, 2002 and 2017.
Since O.J. Howard went 19th, Evan Engram went 23rd and David Njoku went 29th in 2017, only five tight ends have been first-round selections.
Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland are first-round locks. Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and LSU’s Mason Taylor figure to fall next, possibly in the first round but almost certainly by No. 40. A month before the draft, one personnel man has all four with first-round grades.
“Loveland and Warren are 1-2, in either order,” another AFC personnel man said. “The next three are interchangeable depending on your flavor. You could even throw three more in there as starting dudes. The top five could all make an impact right away. There’s a lot of talent.”
3. ELIJAH ARROYO, Miami (6-5, 250, no 40, 1-2): Suffered a torn ACL in mid-2022 and then battled injuries in 2023, playing in just six games. Started 13 times in 2024. “He exploded on the scene this year,” said one scout. “One of the most impressive interviews I had. Really good kid who will be a really good pro. He can align in any position and contribute in the pass game, and you do not have any type of decline as a run blocker. He can line up in the backfield, next to the tackle, in the slot, outside. You can do all your run-game stuff. He is a good enough athlete to catch and create after the catch.” Thirty-five of his career 46 catches came last season. Finished with 753 yards (16.4) and eight TDs. “Warren’s a better blocker, Arroyo’s a better athlete,” another scout said. “Arroyo’s in the Kelce camp, Warren’s in the Gronkowski camp.” Hurt his knee in the Senior Bowl game after a tremendous week of practice and couldn’t work at the combine. “I had never heard of him (before 2024),” a third scout said. “He was a pleasant surprise. This guy can run. He’s got a proportioned body. He’ll fight as a blocker. He’s going to be a good pro if he can stay healthy. You could get him probably in the top of the second round and be pretty happy. Maybe first round.” Four-year recruit from Frisco, Texas. “Not very productive in their offense but he can run routes, he’s athletic as can be, he’s fast, has really good hands,” said a third scout. “He does have some issues adjusting to tough catches. Surprisingly, he’s a really good blocker in space stuff and edges. In-line, you don’t want him in there that much. He’s got play-maker talent. He’s worth a late first-round pick.”
4. MASON TAYLOR, Louisiana State (6-5, 252, no 40, 1-2): Rewrote the LSU record book for tight ends as a three-year starter. “He’s a smooth-moving athlete,” one scout said. “He’s quick in his routes. Excellent feel. He’s a big guy that uses his size. Natural hands catcher. Run after the catch, he’s pretty tough. He’ll work as a blocker. He’ll keep getting better. I don’t think they (the Tigers) used him (enough). He should have been more productive but their offense was kind of a mess. He’s going to be really good.” Starting 37 of 38 games, he finished with 129 receptions for 1,308 (10.1) and a mere six TDs. “He’s a real good player, a starting player in the league,” said a second scout. “I just don’t see the blocker. He probably doesn’t play a gritty, tough, physical game. I think he sees himself as a little bit more of a finesse player. He is smooth. He gets open. He’s good after the catch. He’s an athlete.” His father, Jason, made the Pro Football Hall of Fame after a 15-year career as a defensive end in which he registered 139 ½ sacks. At the 1997 combine, Jason (6-6, 243) ran 4.67 and scored 32 on the Wonderlic test. The Dolphins drafted him in the third round out of Akron. “I scouted his daddy,” said a third scout. “He was a tall, lanky, skinny kid. Never thought he’d turn out to be as good as he was. This kid is built like his dad. Long, lean. Great kid. No problems with him. I’m sure the dad has been teaching him how to do it. He’s followed his dad’s footsteps.” Jason married the sister of Zach Thomas, the Dolphins’ 5-11 Hall of Fame inside linebacker. “He’s got Jason Taylor’s frame but Zach’s length,” said a fourth scout. “He’s got 32-inch arms but he will compete as a blocker. He’s a very good, dependable receiver. You’ll scheme him open and he’ll catch a ball in the flat and get 15 yards. He’s trustworthy. During the season, you’d have thought he was a third-rounder. But now, after you squeeze the draft, he’s probably a solid second-rounder.” From Plantation, Fla.
5. HAROLD FANNIN, Bowling Green (6-3, 241, 4.76, 2-3): Led the NCAA in receptions (117) and receiving yards (1,555) in 2024. Both were FBS records for a tight end. “I would say that the staff at Bowling Green has done a better job with that football player making him the center of the offense and finding ways to get him the ball than anybody in the country,” one scout said. “That guy will be a lightning rod to talk about because he’s not fast. Most of his catches were within eight yards of the line of scrimmage. He catches the snot out of the ball. More than anybody in the class he’s got natural run-after-the-catch instincts. Once he gets the ball in his hands, he’s like a running back in the open field. What’s difficult about him from a draft perspective is he’s not a vertical receiver. For a guy that small, normally those dudes people get excited about run 4.5. It makes you pause a little bit how (high) you’re going to take him. He is not going to get open on his own. He separates by pushing off on guys. A safety will be riding him but all of a sudden Harold will reach up, push off and now he’s got as much separation as anybody.” Started one of 12 games in 2022 as a true freshman, then eight of 11 as a sophomore before breaking out. “I wanted not to like him but, man, this guy, he just gets open and catches everything,” said a second scout. “He’s got a stiff lower body and looks kind of odd when he runs. He’s not the quickest but he just finds a way. You can put it anywhere near him and he’s gonna catch it. Somebody’s on him? Doesn’t matter. As a blocker, I don’t even know if you need a great blocker anymore the way tight ends are used now. He’ll give some effort but you’ve got to use him for his strengths.” Was Bowling Green’s first consensus All-America pick. “My God, they threw 900 passes and he caught 117 of ‘em for 86 yards,” said a third scout. “He made a few plays; I shouldn’t discount him. He’s duck-footed. He competed some as a run-after-catch guy. But, wow, I was disappointed.” His team and another graded Fannin in the fourth-to-fifth round range. “He’s so stiff but he’s physically self-aware and has figured out a way to overcome it,” a fourth scout said. “For a stiff guy he is a dynamic route runner and has great ball skills and tremendous instincts. He’ll play.” Finished with 180 receptions for 2,396 (13.3) and 17 TDs. Also rushed 33 times for 159 (4.8) and five scores. Played safety, wide receiver and returned kicks in high school at Canton (Ohio) McKinley.
6. TERRANCE FERGUSON, Oregon (6-5 ½, 247, 4.63, 3): Started more games than not during a four-year career. “He’s played there for a really long time,” one scout said. “You know exactly what you’re getting with him. He did really well in Indianapolis (at the combine). He’s fluid and smooth. Faster than he looks. Got natural hands. He’s tall, long, athletic fast — and that’s what guys are looking for at the position. I think the scouting community is higher on him than the coaching community because of his issue as a blocker. He’s a pass catcher only. He does not have the ability to block. He’ll be able to start if you deploy ‘12’ personnel and one guy is your pass catcher and one is your blocker.” His combine results included the fastest 40 at the position and the best vertical jump (39 inches). “His blocking was more consistent in 2023,” a second scout said. “He’s a starting NFL tight end. He’s a better overall player than Taylor but they’re graded the same. He’s a little bit better blocker and Mason’s a little smoother as a route runner.” Finished with 134 receptions for 1,537 (11.5) and 16 TDs. “He’s proved he can get down the field,” a third scout said. “Is he tough enough and strong enough to block? He’s a starter.” From Littleton, Colo.
7. JAKE BRININGSTOOL, Clemson (6-5 ½, 240, 4.77, 3-4): Backed up in 2021-’22 before starting 25 games the past two seasons. “Outstanding athlete,” said one scout. “Got good grit and toughness. He will give good effort in his blocking. Holds his own as a blocker. You’re not going to rely on him to capture the edge in a zone scheme. He’s a receiving tight end. You can line him up just about anywhere. He can make plays. You can put him at wide receiver and that puts stress on the defense. If he fit the offense I was running I’d take him in the third round.” His 127 receptions set the record for a tight end at Clemson. Finished with 1,380 yards (10.9) and 17 TDs. Short arms (31 ½), tiny hands (8 5/8). From Brentwood, Tenn.
8. GUNNAR HELM, Texas (6-5, 241, 4.92, 4): Made 10 starts in 39 games from 2021-’23, catching just 19 passes. Started 15 games for a prolific offense last year and had 60 receptions. “He’s a production catcher,” said one scout. “He’s smart and has good hands. As far as having dynamic speed, quickness, run after the catch or blocking as a Y, I don’t see it. He’s a Y stick guy, a possession Y. He really can’t block anybody without help. Areas to be worked on are his blocking and escaping press coverage.” Finished with 79 receptions for 1,022 (12.9) and nine TDs. “He’s my No. 6 tight end but I think he’ll be a solid player,” a second scout said. “He won’t be a star or anything. Kind of does everything OK. Not the most gifted athlete but good enough. As a blocker, he’ll get in the way and put his face in stuff. He can position and work. The hands are good. Not a playmaker by any stretch running after the catch. He’ll start. Cole Kmet had a little more to him, a little more talent than this guy but that’s a good comparison.” From Englewood, Colo.
THE NEXT FIVE
Luke Lachey, Iowa (6-5 ½, 251, no 40)Said one scout: “His dad, Jim, played at Ohio State (and 11 years in the NFL as a Pro Bowl left tackle). He wasn’t good enough for Ohio State so Iowa took him as a developmental kind of guy. He’s not (Sam) LaPorta, he’s not Dallas Clark, he’s not there yet. He is a skilled, big athlete. He was derailed by injury (ankle surgery) a year ago and then poor quarterback play. He can be an NFL starter with two or three more years of development.”
Gavin Bartholomew, Pittsburgh (6-4 ½, 246, 4.71)
Said one scout: “When (Kenny) Pickett was the quarterback (in 2022) this was his guy and he showed a lot of run and catch. He’s going to be a really good No. 2. Very high character kid. Do whatever you ask.”
Oronde Gadsden, Syracuse (6-4 ½, 241, 4.67)
Said one scout: “If someone has a vision of how to use him he could be a real weapon. Like an oversized wideout or an undersized tight end. Very talented, very athletic. I’d rather have him than Fannin.”
Moliki Motavao, UCLA (6-5 ½, 260, 4.80)
Said one scout: “He’s actually pretty smooth for that big a player. They just don’t build people that big at that position anymore. He’ll make a team as a No. 2 and eventually develop into a starter.”
Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame (6-5 ½, 258, 4.80)
Said one scout: “I admire him. He’s really fought through injuries. He is tough. He struggles to bend his knees and get in a leverage position (as a blocker) – not because of effort but the injuries. This year, early, he was having a hard time, but when you watch the playoff games he’s a good route runner and has really good hands
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