Updated 2025 TE preview … The 2024 draft was something of a down year for the TEs. Las Vegas did select Brock Bowers with the 13th pick overall, but in the end the former Georgia star was the only TE chosen within the first 50 picks, while only three were taken over the course of the first three rounds, down from 9 the previous year. And its not clear at this time whether it will be substantially better for the TE position at the upcoming draft. Michigan’s Colston Loveland, who emerged as a big-time receiver during the Wolverines run to the national title last fall, for example, is the only TE currently with a first-round grade. Loveland, who isn’t all that big, but just has that knack of getting open like Bowers. Meanwhile, Mitch Evans of Notre Dame and Iowa’s Luke Lachey look to have early to mid second day potential, but both are coming back from pretty serious injuries – to their ACL and ankles respectively – that derailed their 2023 campaigns. Same for oft-injured Brant Kuithe of Utah if he can stay healthy, as well as LSU’s Mason Taylor if he can fully tap into his exceptional athletic talent.
In fact, while there may not be a ton of upfront talent at TE this year it does appear that there will be at least some considerable depth at the position this coming year such that teams looking looking to add to their TE rooms should be able to find someone who addresses their particular needs in the middle rounds. That includes several promising pure pass-receiving TE candidates available in the later rounds including Bryson Nesbit of North Carolina, Orande Gadsen of Syracuse, Justin Joly of NC State, Jalin Conyers of Texas Tech, Jake Brinningstool of Clemson and Harold Fannin of Bowling Green, who is actually the leading returning receiving TE in college football this year. At the same time, there are several quality, more traditional two-way TEs out there including Tyler Warren of Penn State, Caden Prieskorn of Mississippi. Alabama’s CJ Dippre and Ben Yurosek of Georgia. And teams looking for a possible breakout sleeper at the the position might want to check out Jack Velling of Michigan State, a former big-time recruit who have been solid to date, but like LSU’s Taylor has the physical tools to be a dominant player. Here is our updated ranking of the top TE prospects for the upcoming draft.
