5 tight end draft prospects the Chiefs should consider in 2025

For many years, the Kansas City Chiefs’ plan to replace their superstar tight end Travis Kelce has been a point of offseason discussion.

While the team has drafted Noah Gray and Jared Wiley, neither project as true difference-makers after Kelce retires — but this has made sense. As long as Kelce continues to play at a high level, the team’s resources should be used for other parts of its roster.

But a year from now, Kelce will be 36. The time is coming where Kansas City cannot put things off any longer. Fortunately, 2025’s draft class has some tremendous tight end prospects. Here are five of them.

Colston Loveland, Michigan

Michigan’s passing offense has been a mess this season. The Wolverines have gone through three quarterbacks in a six-game span — and Loveland has been held back by some injuries — so his production has fallen off. Through five games, he has 29 catches, 261 yards and one touchdown.

But on film, Loveland shows every trait you want to see in a tight end. He’s impactful in every part of the field and in every alignment. He succeeds on the boundary and in the slot, and as an inline or an “F” tight end.

While he can run any route in the book, Loveland is exceptional when he’s going downfield on corner and out-and-up routes. He has enough agility and burst to change speeds and explode out of cuts and he has long legs to stride away from defenders. He can also use his size to high-point the ball in contested catch situations.

But what separates Loveland from most college tight ends is he’s ready to be an NFL blocker. At 6 feet 5 and 245 pounds, he has the the length to keep edge defenders from his chest — and uses good technique. Michigan uses him in all of its diverse running concepts, which speaks to his overall versatility.

Loveland is ready-made to be a well-rounded NFL tight end who has the athleticism to get decent volume in a passing offense. He will be a Round 1 player.

Tyler Warren, Penn State

During last weekend’s Penn State-USC game, Warren was the best player to watch. Penn State offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki (who came to the Nittany Lions from Kansas) has incorporated Warren into a passel of unique play designs; he’s being used as a true chess piece.

Warren can appear as a wildcat quarterback or as a running back — and can be aligned anywhere. Against USC, there was a play where he snapped the ball — and then ran downfield to high-point the ball for touchdown.

Warren is one of the most impressive athletes you’ll see. He comes in at 6 feet 6 and 260 pounds — and that shows up when he’s used a run blocker; he can be aligned inline and block almost anyone.

He’s also elite at getting yards after the catch — which is why he’s effective as a ball carrier; he can utilize his size and speed to produce yards.

The more I watch Warren, the more I’m convinced he might be the best tight end in the draft. He’s a special, unique football player who can legitimately do anything. I would love to see what Kansas City head coach Andy Reid could do with him.

Gunnar Helm, Texas

Speaking of impressive athletes, Helm might be the best receiving tight end in the class; his fluidity as a route runner really stands out. He has loose hips that allow him to easily change speeds and directions; he can run a variety of complex routes. With the ball in his hands, he can use his vision and coordination to make defenders miss.

Helm reminds me of Dalton Kincaid, who came out in the 2023 draft. He doesn’t have a lot of size — so using him inline could be challenging — but NFL offenses have learned how to hide tight ends without a lot of blocking skills. Still, he has enough athleticism to kick out to the slot and threaten defenses. Giving Helm the ball in screens and option routes would help any offense.

Mason Taylor, LSU

This LSU prospect is very similar to Helm. Taylor is also a fluid route runner who can win from the slot. Helm might be a bit more explosive with the ball, but both can thrive in the slot and win on option routes.

With Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. gone to the NFL, LSU has Taylor flexed out to receiver more often in 2024 — and from there, he’s shown many positive receiving traits while winning from there.

Jake Briningstool, Clemson

Among these players, Briningstool might be the best-suited to be used as an inline tight end. While he isn’t the most flexible route runner — especially when compared to the other tight ends in this class — he is still a dynamic downfield threat who can win down the seams and in the red zone.

Briningstool is best when winning vertically, where he can build up speed and pull away from defenders. He’s also a strong athlete who can win as a blocker.

Other tight ends I like: Georgia’s Oscar Delp, Iowa’s Luke Lachey, Oregon’s Terrence Ferguson, Notre Dame’s Mitchell Evans.