The 2025 NFL Draft has infused a new crop of athletic tight ends into the league, each hoping to follow in the footsteps of recent breakout stars.
While the tight end position can be notoriously slow for rookies to develop, identifying the right talent in the right situation can yield significant fantasy football rewards down the line.
This article will delve into the most intriguing first-year tight ends, assessing how their new team environments could impact their immediate and long-term fantasy value.
Colston Loveland, Bears: Loveland lands in Chicago, a potentially promising spot for a tight end with Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme. While Cole Kmet is currently entrenched as the starter, Loveland offers a higher ceiling due to his receiving prowess. His blocking might be a slight concern for immediate every-down work, and a crowded wide receiver room could limit targets. He’s a fantastic long-term dynasty stash with TE1 potential down the road, but expect a slower ramp-up in 2025 as he develops behind Kmet.
Tyler Warren, Colts: Warren joins the Indianapolis Colts, a team that has seen inconsistent tight end production outside of Mo Alie-Cox. Jelani Woods has had flashes but also injury concerns. Warren could carve out a role as a reliable pass-catcher, especially in the red zone. This landing spot presents a good opportunity for him to earn snaps, making him a decent late-round flier in deeper redraft leagues and a solid dynasty stash with potential for a contributing role in the Colts’ offense.
Mason Taylor, Jets: Taylor lands with the New York Jets, a team that has a need for pass-catching tight ends. With no strong depth chart, Taylor has a chance to compete for immediate snaps and targets. His college production and versatility suggest he could be a reliable short-to-intermediate option for whoever is under center. This is a favorable landing spot that could lead to immediate fantasy relevance as a high-end TE2 in redraft, and his dynasty value is boosted by the potential for a significant role.
Terrance Ferguson, Rams: Ferguson joins the Los Angeles Rams, where Tyler Higbee has been the long-standing starter but is getting older. While Higbee is still productive, Ferguson could be viewed as a long-term successor. His blocking ability might get him on the field, but his fantasy value hinges on earning significant receiving targets, which could be challenging in a high-powered offense with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua. He’s a dynasty stash who might not offer much redraft value in 2025.
Elijah Arroyo, Seahawks: Arroyo lands in Seattle, a team that has sought consistent tight end production. With Noah Fant as the primary tight end, Arroyo has a chance to compete for snaps and develop. He’s a sizable target with good hands and could become a key red-zone threat. This landing spot is favorable for his long-term dynasty outlook, with potential to become a TE1 as early as his second season. For 2025, he’s not much of a redraft option but a solid dynasty grab.
Harold Fannin Jr., Browns: Fannin Jr. joins the Cleveland Browns, where he’ll play behind David Njoku. While Njoku is the undisputed starter, Fannin Jr. was a high draft pick (third round) and is seen as a potential heir apparent. His athleticism and receiving chops suggest he could develop into a fantasy-relevant option. However, for 2025, he’s mainly a Njoku handcuff and a long-term dynasty play, with limited redraft value unless Njoku misses significant time.
Gunnar Helm, Titans: Helm lands with the Tennessee Titans, a team that has Chig Okonkwo as their primary pass-catching tight end. Helm’s role might initially be more focused on blocking, limiting his fantasy upside. His path to significant targets is blocked, making him a very deep dynasty stash and essentially irrelevant in redraft leagues for 2025.
Mitchell Evans, Panthers: Evans joins the Carolina Panthers, who have Tommy Tremble and Ja’Tavion Sanders on the depth chart. While Evans has good size and showed flashes in college, his recovery from a torn ACL might limit his early impact. He’s a better all-around tight end than some of the incumbents, but the crowded room hurts his immediate target share. He’s a deep dynasty stash with limited 2025 redraft value.
Oronde Gadsden II, Chargers: Gadsden II lands with the Los Angeles Chargers, who are transitioning to a more run-heavy offense. While he officially plays tight end, he projects more as a big slot receiver. The Chargers do have Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, but Gadsden’s unique skill set could carve out a niche. However, his lack of blocking prowess and need for refinement suggest he’s a developmental prospect. Don’t expect much from him in 2025 redraft, but he’s an intriguing dynasty stash with upside if he can earn a significant “big slot” role.
Jackson Hawes, Bills: Hawes joins the Buffalo Bills, where he’ll be behind Dalton Kincaid and Dawson Knox. This landing spot severely limits his immediate fantasy football potential. He’s primarily a blocking tight end and unlikely to see significant targets. He has no redraft value for 2025 and is not a relevant dynasty asset in most formats.
Robbie Ouzts, Seahawks: Ouzts lands in Seattle, where he’ll compete for a depth role behind Noah Fant. His fantasy outlook is minimal for 2025. He’s likely to be a blocking-first tight end, offering little to no receiving upside. Not a fantasy-relevant player in redraft or most dynasty leagues.
Gavin Bartholomew, Vikings: Bartholomew lands with the Minnesota Vikings, where he’ll be behind T.J. Hockenson and Josh Oliver. Bartholomew is primarily a blocker, limiting his receiving upside. He has zero fantasy football relevance in 2025 redraft and is a very deep dynasty stash with a low ceiling.
Thomas Fidone II, Giants: Fidone II joins the New York Giants, a team with Daniel Bellinger and Theo Johnson at tight end. While Fidone has talent, the Giants’ tight end room is somewhat crowded. His fantasy relevance will depend on his development and ability to earn targets over the incumbent players. He’s a dynasty stash with a long-term outlook, but minimal redraft value for 2025.
Caleb Lohner, Broncos: Lohner lands with the Denver Broncos. As a former college basketball player with limited football snaps, he’s a raw prospect. While some comparisons to Jimmy Graham have been made due to his red-zone potential, he’s a long shot to make a fantasy impact in 2025. He’s a very deep dynasty stash for only the most patient managers.
Moliki Matavao, Saints: Matavao joins the New Orleans Saints, where he’ll compete for a depth role. His athleticism and receiving profile are not strong enough to project fantasy relevance in 2025 or even in dynasty. He’s off the fantasy radar.
Luke Lachey, Texans: Lachey lands with the Houston Texans, who have Dalton Schultz as their primary tight end. Lachey possesses a solid frame and reliable hands, but his lack of elite speed and blocking proficiency may limit his immediate relevance. He’s a developmental prospect with potential upside in the long term, making him a deep dynasty stash, but don’t expect any redraft value in 2025.
