With the 2025 NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take one last look at the 2025 TE class. A lot has changed since the last iteration of my rankings. The NFL Combine gave us some standardized metrics to compare players. The draft gave us the landing spots as well as the draft capital for each prospect. This article will focus on the tight end position and the notable changes from version 3.0 until now. Notably, the surprise risers (Terrance Ferguson) and fallers (Oronde Gadsden II), and where they all shake out. So, let’s get to the 2025 rookie TE rankings.
TIER 1 | Rookie TE Rankings
The two players in Tier 1 of my Rookie TE Rankings have jostled back and forth for the TE1 spot. While it is nice to have the top spot, what really matters is the level of fantasy production we can expect at the NFL level. Both of these players have the talent to be no-brainer starters, but I’m not sure either will reach Top 4 TE status and supplant any of Brock Bowers, Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta, or T.J. Hockenson.
TE1 | Colston Loveland | Bears
Drafted R1 – 10th Overall | 6’5’’ | 245 lbs
Previously Ranked 1
For most of the year, I had Colston Loveland ahead of Warren in my Rookie TE Rankings. However, in the last iteration, I had them tied at No. 1, with Warren listed first. While the draft capital slightly favors Loveland, the landing spot is what puts him over the top. I have significantly more faith in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams than I do the Colts with Richardson at the helm.
TE2 | Tyler Warren | Colts
Drafted R1 – 14th Overall | 6’6’’ | 257 lbs
Previously Ranked 1
As noted, Tyler Warren dropped down a spot, but is still firmly a Tier 1 TE. While the situation with Anthony Richardson could change in the future, it hasn’t been promising to date. However, what’s more important to me in SuperFlex TE Premium rookie drafts is where both of these players are going off the board. At their current values, I’d rather wait and take the players just behind them in my rankings.
TIER 2 | Rookie TE Rankings
Tier 2 is a unique tier. Both players here are fantastic athletes that had major production at the collegiate level. However, they both are undersized for the TE position at the NFL level. It’s not to say that can’t be successful, but it’s yet to be seen how the NFL will view them.
TE3 | Harold Fannin Jr. | Browns
Drafted R3 – 67th Overall | 63’’ | 238 lbs
Previously Ranked 3
As a proud member of the Harold Fannin Jr. Fan Club, I was thrilled to see early-3rd Round draft capital and even more thrilled that he is heading to the Browns, who have David Njoku on the last year of his contract. The immediate production might not be there, but he’s poised to take over and, I have no doubts about his receiving ability.
TE4 | Mason Taylor | Jets
Drafted R2 – 42nd Overall | 6’5’’ | 255 lbs
Previously Ranked 6
After his early-2nd Round draft capital, Mason Taylor is expected to come in and start from Day 1 for the Jets. With Justin Fields as his new QB, Taylor figures to be heavily involved in the offense as a safety valve and weapon over the middle. He seems to be continuing to surge up draft boards, so you might have to reach a little if you want him in your rookie drafts.
TE5 | Elijah Arroyo | Seahawks
Drafted R2 – 50th Overall | 6’4’’ | 251 lbs
Previously Ranked 8
Like Taylor, Elijah Arroyo continually climbed up draft boards leading up to the 2025 NFL Draft. Now, he finds himself poised to take over for Noah Fant who is a free agent after the season. Arroyo profiles very similarly to Fant and Sam Darnold is fond of having a chain-moving, athletic TE to target. I could see Arroyo being a low-end TE1 with consistent but not elite production.
TE6 | Terrance Ferguson | Rams
Drafted R2 – 46th Overall | 6’5’’ | 245 lbs
Previously Ranked 9
I was a bit surprised to see Terrance Ferguson get early-2nd Round draft capital. Not because he wasn’t deserving, but because of the other TEs still on the board. However, his landing spot with the Rams is very favorable. We’ve seen Tyler Higbee and other TEs produce for fantasy in this offense and Higbee is entering the final year of his contract. I think Ferguson’s ceiling is about the TE6, but that’s a level that can help you win dynasty championships and his ADP suggests that you can get him at a good value.
TIER 3 | Rookie TE Rankings
The two tight ends in this tier offer plenty of promise but the concerns are large enough that I’m likely filling my roster with WRs and RBs before taking either of these players during rookie drafts. The likelihood is that one of them will produce a few usable TE seasons, but figuring out which TE that is going to be isn’t easy.
TE7 | Oronde Gadsden II | Chargers
Drafted R5 – 165th Overall | 6’5’’ | 236 lbs
Previously Ranked 4
If I had to bet on one TE in this tier, it’s easily Oronde Gadsden II. I had him all the way up at TE4 in Tier 2 prior to the NFL Combine. However, my major concern was the way that he’d be viewed by the NFL. The 5th Round draft capital would suggest that the NFL sees him as more of a project than a weapon. But, going to a Jim Harbaugh offense gives me hope for fantasy relevance.
TE8 | Gunnar Helm | Titans
Drafted R4 – 120th Overall | 6’5’’ | 250 lbs
Previously Ranked 6
Another TE that fell a bit in my rankings, Gunnar Helm, landed with Cam Ward and the new-look Tennessee Titans. After a disappointing NFL Combine that had Helm dealing with an ankle injury, he fell into the early portion of Day 3 of the draft. The TE situation in Tennessee is muddy and not well defined. If Helm can usurp Chigoziem Okonkwo as the top TE option, he could grow with Ward.
TIER 4 | TE Rankings
The TEs in Tier 4 are players that I’m only targeting if they fall in my rookie drafts. Due to landing spots and underwhelming draft capital, the likelihood of fantasy success is low. Therefore, I’d probably rather take the players up a tier or pick the guys down a tier later in my rookie drafts. Situations can change, but I’d rather spend my draft picks elsewhere.
TE9 | Luke Lachey | Texans
Drafted R7 – 255th Overall | 6’6’’ | 247 lbs
Previously Ranked 7
I was a bit surprised to see Luke Lachey slip to nearly the end of the 7th Round of the NFL Draft. His landing spot with the Texans isn’t ideal as they have Dalton Schultz under contract through the 2026 season and just spent an early-Day 3 pick on Cade Stover in 2024. I like Lachey’s skills but not his situation.
TE10 | Mitchell Evans | Panthers
Drafted R5 – 163rd Overall | 6’5’’ | 260 lbs
Previously Ranked 11
Similar to Lachey, Mitchell Evans went to a team that just spent the 101st pick in the 2024 NFL Draft on Ja’Tavion Sanders and heavily invested in the WR position over the last two years. If Evans can find fantasy success, it will likely be sporadic and hard to trust.
TE11 | Gavin Bartholomew | Vikings
Drafted R6 – 202nd Overall | 6’4’’ | 241 lbs
Previously Ranked 10
Like the two others in this tier, Gavin Bartholomew went to a less-than-ideal situation. Not only is he behind one of the best TEs in the league in T.J. Hockenson, but he’s competing for targets with Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and 2025 3rd Round selection Tai Felton.
TIER 5 | Rookie TE Rankings
The two players in Tier 5 of my Rookie TE Rankings are not players that I am expecting great things from, but are both players worthy of a late-round flyer selection, especially in TE premium leagues.
TE12 | Caleb Lohner | Broncos
Drafted R7 – 241st Overall | 6’7’’ | 249 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
The NFL and every commentator love to remind us whenever a tight end plays basketball prior to making it to the NFL. In Caleb Lohner’s case, he barely played football prior to making it to the NFL. In his final season for the Utes, Lohner caught 4 passes for 4 TDs. He’s the perfect player to snag with your last pick in a rookie draft.
TE13 | Jalin Conyers | Dolphins
Undrafted | 6’4’’ | 265 lbs
Previously Ranked 17
It’s hard to get overly excited about an undrafted TE at this point in my Rookie TE Rankings. However, Jalin Conyers doesn’t have much in terms of competition for the TE2 spot on the Dolphins. With Jonnu Smith entering the final year of his contract, this could be a sneaky taxi squad pickup.
TIER 6 | Rookie TE Rankings
The players in Tier 6 of my Rookie TE Rankings are only here to note that I do not expect any fantasy production from them. Despite all being drafted, they are much better as blocking TEs and unless you get points for pancake blocks, they should be off your board.
TE14 | Thomas Fidone II | Giants
Drafted R7 – 219th Overall | 6’4’’ | 241 lbs
Previously Ranked 18
TE15 | Jackson Hawes | Bills
Drafted R5 – 173rd Overall | 6’6’’ | 260 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
TE16 | Robbie Outzts | Seahawks
Drafted R5 – 175th Overall | 6’3’’ | 274 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
TE17 | Molokai Matavao | Saints
Drafted R7 – 248th Overall | 6’6’’ | 260 lbs
Previously Not Ranked
Check Back Soon for Our Post-NFL Rookie Mock!
Our latest SuperFlex TE Premium rookie mock will be out on Monday. Don’t miss where our staff selected the above players, along with all of Tristan’s top-ranked positional players. Let rookie draft season commence!
