2025 NFL Draft: TE & FB Rankings
TE Rankings:
1
Tyler Warren
School: Penn State
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 256 lbs
Strengths:
Warren is an elite offensive weapon that blends a multitude of high end traits and skills. His athleticism stands out immediately. He has the speed and twitch to create early separation on routes, and he is nasty after the catch. In some instances, somehow, he even managed to outrun members of the secondary. And to do it at his size is unbelievable. This skill set made him a frequent target on screens and underneath dumpoffs. Warren has a large catch radius, which he knows how to use. His ball control in the air is great, and he’s got strong hands to catch and hold onto the ball through contact. Warren is a weapon in the redzone and between the 20’s. Even short yardage. In some cases, he was sent in motion, and ended up taking a snap under centre to run the QB sneak. As if that wasn’t enough, they even let him throw some passes in college.
Weaknesses:
Warren is still a work in progress as a blocker. He has his flashes as a lead blocker, but in-line, the results aren’t great. His technique, first of all, isn’t great. His hand placement is off and he struggles to stay square or play with leverage. As well, he’ll need to get stronger to better handle those battles in the trenches. In the passing game, my one complaint is his route running. It can be sloppy much of the time. While he got away with it in college, he’ll have to clean it up at the NFL level.
Summary:
Warren is an elite TE prospect who has the potential to take the NFL by storm on day 1. His receiving skill set is elite thanks to a great combination of speed, agility, size, strong hands, and good body control. As a pass catcher, he pretty much does it all. The one area of improvement there is his route running, but that should come in time. The bigger thing he’ll have to work on is his blocking from the in-line position. As it stands now, he struggles to play with leverage and doesn’t match the power that he faces opposite of him. He’ll need to get stronger and improve his technique. Regardless of that, Warren will have a day 1 role as a pass catcher. Possibly will get some in-line snaps, but he likely will be flexed out into the slot quite a bit. As his blocking improves, he’ll see more in-line snaps, and hopefully he becomes the total package.
| Grade: 88.1 | Round Grade: 1st |
2
Colston Loveland
School: Michigan
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 248 lbs
Strengths:
Loveland is a considerable threat as a receiver, using his size and athleticism, among other tools, to beat defences at all levels of the field. His height and catch radius stand out on tape. He elevates nicely, and is a good hands catcher, able to pluck the ball out of the air at its highest point. Loveland also does well to hold onto the ball through contact. Back shoulder passes were also an area of strength for him in the passing game. His timing on those kinds of routes was great. During scramble drills. Loveland did well to work with the QB and get open. In a general sense he reads the field well when working against zone coverage. Like in a scramble drill, he is good at finding the soft spot. As an athlete, he has good speed and good twitch, which allows him to separate at the deeper levels of the field. These traits also allow him to pick up yards after the catch. As a blocker, Loveland showed some flashes, and might have room to grow.
Weaknesses:
Despite showing flashes as a blocker, it probably isn’t an area where he’ll contribute much early on. He’ll need to clean up his technique, but also get stronger in order to handle himself in the trenches at the next level. More strength will also help him improve consistency in dealing with contact at the catch point. He is generally fine in that area, but could still improve. Loveland is a good athlete, but looks a little slow off the snap, and needs a second to build up his speed. Sometimes he wins more because of his size than his athleticism. His route running also looked sloppy at tims, which further contributed to his lack of early separation in some instances. Concentration drops popped up from time to time–he’ll want to snuff those out from his game.
Summary:
Loveland should be an early receiving threat in the NFL thanks to his large catch radius and ability to high point the football. He also has the athleticism to get open, though his route running will have to improve. I see potential for him as a blocker, maybe more than others do, but he will need to improve his strength and technique. This isn’t something I’d expect him to do a lot of on day 1. Early on, Loveland will be running a lot more routes than blocking, and it is likely that a lot of those reps will see him flexed out into the slot. He can be a weapon right from the start, and in time, has the chance to develop into a more complete player.
| Grade: 85.0 | Round Grade: 1st |
3
Mason Taylor
School: LSU
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
Taylor is a good pass catcher with great ball skills and play making attributes. He is a good athlete with fluid movements and good speed. He excels as a downfield pass catcher. Working the seam, he has shown that he is not afraid to go for the ball and still take a hit. He braces for contact and can shield himself and the ball. Taylor is a natural hands catcher, plucking the ball away from his frame. With his large catch radius, you can see how he is a mismatch in contested situations. Taylor also tracks the ball well over his shoulder, eyeing it into his hands and securing it. As a runner after the catch, he shows good speed, but also picks up quite a bit of power as he goes along. He’ll take on tackles at full speed, and with the power he has accumulated, he can be tough to bring down. His athleticism has allowed him to be pretty effective as a downfield or lead blocker, where he can use his athleticism to his advantage, rather than matchup one on one with a bigger opponent.
Weaknesses:
Taylor lacks precision as a route runner, which resulted in some struggles creating early separation. Some fine tuning will need to be done, as he transitions to the NFL level. As an in-line blocker, Taylor doesn’t yet have the strength to match up against guys in the trenches. Sometimes he can hold his own against LB, but a high pad level and other technical issues even lead to inconsistencies there. Taylor is a good athlete, but not elite. He can also be a tad slow getting into his breaks and changing directions.
Summary:
Taylor is a good enough athlete, and has good hands and a large catch radius, which should allow him to contribute early as a pass catcher. His route running will still need work, but he doesn’t need to ride the bench because of it. Currently, he lacks the strength and technical refinement to regularly block from the in-line spot. But as he develops, he could become a more complete player. I wouldn’t say he is an elite athlete, but overall, he has enough traits to be a quality starter down the road. Though he likely will be beginning his career as a complimentary option in the passing attack who gets most of his reps in the slot.
| Grade: 82.6 | Round Grade: 2nd |
4
Elijah Arroyo
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 250 lbs
Strengths:
Arroyo has strong, plucky hands and a big frame that all work well for him on downfield passes. Though not always perfect, he is capable of using his large catch radius to go above defenders and come away with the ball. He is generally able to withstand contact at the catchpoint. His hands are very quick, and he can bail out the QB by snagging an errant pass well away from his frame. Arroyo finds the soft spots against zone coverage. He was also used a lot on plays where he would be blocking initially, before leaking out. His feel for things on these kinds of plays was also good, and he was able to time it just right to get the most space for himself. Arroyo has some good moments as a blocker in space, and picks up speed as he gets going. As an in-line blocker, he showed willingness and seems to have potential to get better.
Weaknesses:
Athleticism only looks average on tape. His speed actually does build up quite nicely, but early in the route, he lacks explosion and can sometimes have a tough time separation. As well, his quickness is just okay, and this also makes it tougher to create early separation. Arroyo uses his frame to fight for extra yards after the catch, but he isn’t dynamic enough to really be a chunk yardage threat. Has some potential as a blocker, but will need to get stronger and improve his technique. His grip strength and ability to sustain blocks aren’t there right now. Arroyo enters the NFL with a lengthy injury history. The medicals will have to check out.
Summary:
Arroyo has the size, catch radius, and ball skills to be a good addition to the passing game. His build up speed allows him to make some plays at the intermediate level, and he works well enough against zone to find soft spots in the shorter areas. However, he is an average athlete, and his necessity to build his speed up causes his routes to suffer in the shorter portions, and separation against man coverage can be tougher to come by. All that being said, none of these issues are crippling, but more so just a matter of him not being in the top tier for those respective traits. His size and catch radius will lead to some big plays, and I’d expect him to contribute early on as a pass catcher. Arroyo will have to get stronger and improve his technique as a blocker. If he can do that, he’ll have the chance to become an all around player who can be moved around the formation.
| Grade: 78.7 | Round Grade: 3rd |
5
Thomas Fidone
School: Nebraska
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
Fidone has good size and a very large catch radius. This is evident on plays where the pass is a bit off target and he can extend out to make the catch. His leaping ability is very good in these situations, but his body control is even more impressive. Along the sideline especially. He does well to adjust his frame to locate the ball, and then makes sure that he taps the toes for the catch to stand. Fidone has decent speed and overall athleticism to threaten at different levels of the field. He is decent as a route runner and can create some separation against man coverage. Fidone is a very passionate, hard worker, based on his play on the field. It looks like he is always going at 100%. This is certainly true in the passing game, but also as a blocker. He has been used as an H-Back, in addition to his regular in-line duties as a TE. Results varied, but it was never for lack of effort.
Weaknesses:
Fidone is a good athlete overall, but his movements do seem to be leggy and a tad robotic at times. He isn’t always totally fluid, which can take away from his task, whether route running or blocking on the move. There were times as a move blocker that he failed to reach his benchmark. Fidone looks to deliver some pops as a blocker, but he will need to get stronger in order to find more consistency. He had some good flashes, but got overpowered on other occasions. Fidone enters the NFL with an injury history that dates back a few years. Medicals will have to check out.
Summary:
Fidone is an intriguing TE prospect. His ability to leap in the air and high point passes is very impressive. Same can be said for his body control along the sideline. His leggy movements in a lateral sense seem to limit him a bit when it comes to route running, as well as yards after the catch. But his hard running style and decent overall athleticism still allow him to have success. The motor also shows up in his work as a blocker, which coaches will like, but he will need to get stronger to find more consistency. Fidone is still in need of development, but has a chance to become a starter at some point down the line. Should at least be able to eventually work his way up to TE2.
| Grade: 74.7 | Round Grade: 4th |
6
Gunnar Helm
School: Texas
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Helm has a nicely blended skill set to be a solid pass catcher for his drafting team. He is a decent athlete with good enough speed and quickness to threaten at various levels of the field. For the most part, he runs good routes and is able to create separation. His hands are reliable, and he is a natural hands catcher. Helm also has a good catch radius, which he enhances with his ability to elevate into the air. His body control in the air also stands out, as he is able to adjust to the ball and still make the play. Helm also is a fairly good threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. Though he won’t really make people miss in a phone booth. Helm is quick enough to dodge some tackles, and his speed will be enough to eat up a good chunk of space in front of him. As a blocker, he is willing and has plenty of experience. Some flashes do show up where he is able to seal off some edges.
Weaknesses:
Helm has shown a few flashes as a blocker, but still needs to improve. Getting stronger will go a long way. As well, defenders were able to win hand battles, and win with finesse moves, such as the dip/rip. He will need to play with better technique, in addition to getting stronger, in order to improve as a blocker. Helm is a solid athlete, but maybe not super high end. It is good enough to complement other skills, but isn’t something he’d consistently win with on its own. As well, with his lean frame, his ability to battle through contact at the catch point is a bit inconsistent.
Summary:
Helm has good enough athleticism and skills as a pass catcher to put up decent production. His hands are reliable and he can elevate to bring in ones that would otherwise sail high. His strength and blocking technique will need to improve, but his frame looks like it has room to add the necessary mass. I’m not sure his traits are good enough for him to become a top end player, but he does seem to have average TE1 potential, if he can continue progressing. If not, he should comfortably be a TE2.
| Grade: 73.9 | Round Grade: 4th |
7
Oronde Gadsden
School: Syracuse
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 243 lbs
Strengths:
Gadsden is a converted receiver who very much still possesses the pass catching skills of a receiver. He is very quietly a good route runner. Head fakes and stutters are utilized, and help him to create some separation. As well Gadsden’s speed is pretty solid, and helpt enable him to make plays up the seam. His catch radius is large, and you can see the leaping ability that he has. He’ll elevate, or reach out his arms if he can, and pluck the ball out of the air. Body control is very good. As a blocker, he has enough movement skills to hit moving targets. Generally, he can handle simple blocking duties well enough.
Weaknesses:
As a converted receiver, Gadsden still lacks ideal mass for the position. His frame is very lean, which can lead to contact at the catch point throwing him off a little bit. As well, he shows potential as a blocker, even from the in-line position, but there are too many inconsistencies at this point. He gets worked around quite a bit. Athletically, Gadsden is more of a linear mover than twitchy. He does well on seam passes and simpler routes. However, the more complicated ones are not always well suited for him, and there are times where he’ll struggle to separate on the ground.
Summary:
Gadsden has the hands, elevation ability, and straight line speed to be a solid threat at the TE position. His background as a WR shows still in his game, as he is a very skilled pass catcher, especially when it comes to one away from his frame. He has straight line speed to threaten, but limited lateral agility will limit his route tree, most likely. Still, he can be a nice threat as a pass catcher. But as for his playing time, the amount likely depends on his blocking and if he is able to improve. Could see the floor being a bit lower here, but I do think his ceiling is pretty good.
| Grade: 69.8 | Round Grade: 5th |
8
Jake Briningstool
School: Clemson
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Briningstool has a tall frame and a big catch radius. He has shown some tremendous flashes of high pointing the football and going over top of the defender to get it. He also had an impressive one handed catch in one of his games. Briningstool threatens down the seam and has enough speed to get open on a linear route like this. His IQ shows when he is facing zone coverage. He is able to find the soft spots and sit in them, making for some easy pitches and catches. As well, he does a good job of working with the QB on a scramble drill.
Weaknesses:
Briningstool has a tall, but lean frame, and is inconsistent as a blocker. At this point, the trenches might be a little too much for him. He’ll need to add mass and strength to his frame, and could potentially handle in-line duty at some point down the line. Straight line speed looks alright, but his agility looks average. Separation against man coverage will vary at times, based on the matchup. Briningstool has a large catch radius and has made some impressive catches. However, he has also had some issues with drops and body catching.
Summary:
Briningstool brings enough as a pass catcher that, if he improves his blocking, he could become an average starter. However, he more likely will be working towards earning TE2 status, as his overall athleticism is only average. His skills as a pass catcher will get him looks, and improving his blocking should help him rise up the depth chart. The development will take some time, and he’ll probably be a back-end depth guy early on. But there is enough potential for him to be a solid player.
| Grade: 69.5 | Round Grade: 5th |
9
Joshua Simon
School: South Carolina
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 239 lbs
Strengths:
Simon has a pretty good combination of speed and quickness to both threaten down the field and as a runner after the catch. He is a solid route runner and is able to create some separation. His alignment varied–he saw snaps in-line, as an H-Back, and in the slot–and he was able to produce from all of them. Simon was sent in motion quite a lot, and he was used as a blocker often on these plays. As a move blocker, he does well, as the agility is there for him to adjust to any moving targets, and he has enough strength and power to put into the block once he has picked up a head of steam.
Weaknesses:
Simon is a bit undersized, and will struggle with some of the more physical aspects that come with playing the TE position. He has good hands, but his reliability is under the condition that he has created separation and is free to make the catch in peace. In contested situations, he lacks the catch radius to win consistently. As well, he loses battles when he has to fight through contact at the catch point. Simon is a good move blocker, but he might not be very well suited for downhill blocking from the in-line position. Something also worth noting is that Simon will be entering the NFL as an overager.
Summary:
Simon is a decently athletic TE who can create separation, pick up yards after the catch, and do well as a move blocker. However, he lacks the size to have a more traditional role. Downhill blocking might be too much of an ask for him, as opponents are more likely to be able to overpower him. As well, he doesn’t offer much at all in terms of contested catches or making tough catches in traffic and through contact. His role on offence likely remains the same as it was in college–move blocking, a lot of motion, and snaps from the slot. He can be productive in the right system, but his style might not be for everyone.
| Grade: 67.4 | Round Grade: 5th |
10
Terrance Ferguson
School: Oregon
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 247 lbs
Strengths:
Ferguson has a large catch radius and seems to have pretty safe hands. He was a good checkdown target for Oregon’s offence, making the catch and then wasting no time in getting it upfield to take the yards that he can get. He works well against zone coverage, showing the ability to navigate through traffic and eventually end up in the soft spot of the coverage. Ferguson has some versatility in where he has aligned, having experience in-line, at H-Back, and in the slot.
Weaknesses:
Despite his 40 time at the combine, his athleticism looks middling at best on tape. He doesn’t have a ton of twitch to really threaten to separate against man coverage, and his poor route running and limited route tree reflect this. As a runner after the catch, he takes what he can get, but is not a big play threat. As an in-line run blocker, Ferguson consistently gets overpowered at the point of attack. He’ll need to add a good bit of strength to be functional in this area.
Summary:
Ferguson has good hands and should be able to contribute in the shorter areas of the field as a check down option. He has a large catch radius but doesn’t always use it, and I don’t see enough athleticism to project him as a consistent separator against man coverage. If he can get stronger and improve his blocking, Ferguson could become a solid TE2, but early on, he likely doesn’t rise past TE3.
| Grade: 65.1 | Round Grade: 5th |
11
Harold Fannin
School: Bowling Green
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 241 lbs
Strengths:
Fannin is a sure handed player who can be used in a few different ways. His hands are very reliable, and there are times where he’ll bail a QB out of a bad throw by quickly getting his arms up and snatching the ball away from his frame. He seems to have a knack for working the deeper middle of the field. Seam routes are a staple for him, but he also is able to find the soft spots when working against zone in this part of the field. With the ball in his hands, he runs hard and has sort of a blue collar mentality. He fights for yards, and his habit of keeping his legs moving has worked well for him. Fannin has shown potential as a blocker in space and as a lead blocker. This, in addition to his ability to catch passes out of the slot, shows some versatility.
Weaknesses:
Fannin is lacking in size, relative to baseline expectations for a TE. But despite being smaller and lighter, he does not make up for it with athleticism. His speed is very average, and there isn’t a ton of twitch to his game. His poor route running and average athletic traits cause issues separating against man coverage. And this is at a small school against lower tiered opponents. The NFL will be quite a jump for him. Fannin doesn’t have the size or strength to be regularly trusted as an in-line blocker.
Summary:
Fannin has good hands and can make some plays over the middle of the field. However, he lacks the size and athleticism to be a true difference maker. He can’t block in-line, and his poor route running and lack of twitch hindered him against lower college competition. I don’t imagine it getting much easier at the NFL level. Fannin does show some good signs as a lead blocker and a blocker in space. Though he likely will get his shot at TE, he is better suited as an H-Back or FB that also contributes from time to time as a pass catcher, either out of the slot or the backfield. I don’t see a super high ceiling, but he can be a decent contributor in the right role.
| Grade: 65.0 | Round Grade: 5th |
12
Mitchell Evans
School: Notre Dame
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 258 lbs
Strengths:
Evans has a tall, well built frame, and has more of a blue collar playing style. As a pass catcher, he wins by making contested catches. These come in the form of using his long reach to snag passes out of the air, and by boxing out his opponent to buy himself some space to make the catch. His hands are very reliable, and he can make those tough catches on a consistent basis, even if he has to work through contact. Evans is a strong player, and shows potential as a blocker. When he latches on, you see glimpses of power. The glimpses are also present in the run game, with instances where he creates some movement.
Weaknesses:
Evans looks like a sub par athlete on tape. Most of his catches seem to be with a defender right on him, and it forces him to make contested catches. He struggles to create separation, regardless of which area of the field it is. Struggles also show up when he is blocking in space. The agility to adjust to quicker defenders isn’t there, and they can use quickness or finesse moves to work around him. As an in-line blocker, Evans shows the most potential, but his pad level is consistently high, which often robs him of the chance to really sustain his block. The defender is able to get him off balance before disengaging from the block.
Summary:
Evans projects as a TE2 or TE3 at the next level, depending on his development. His limited athleticism will cap what he can do, especially as a pass catcher. He has reliable hands for checkdowns, and will give you the odd highlight contested catch down the field. However, consistent receiving production will be hard to find. This also limits what he can do as a move blocker, but Evans does show potential as an in-line blocker. His poor technique has made his play quite inconsistent in this area, as well, and if he doesn’t improve, he likely doesn’t rise past TE3 on a depth chart. If he can become more consistent as an in-line blocker, he has the chance to be a TE2.
| Grade: 63.4 | Round Grade: 6th |
13
Jalin Conyers
School: Texas Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’4”, 260 lbs
Strengths:
Conyers is listed as a TE, but he is also a former QB that can operate out of the wildcat, in addition to playing TE. He’s got a big wingspan, which helps him a lot when he has to high point the ball. His hands are generally pretty reliable, and he can make plays like this all over the field. Conyers has pretty good straight line speed, and can outrun some defenders on vertical routes. In the wildcat, Conyers has shown he can run or throw. His running out of the wildcat was especially impressive, and he became a weapon in short yardage situations, and can make people miss as a runner.
Weaknesses:
Conyers is not currently in a good spot when it comes to route running. He lacks precision, and his lack of quickness also doesn’t help. This resulted in a simpler route three, which will be tough to diversify at the next level. As an in-line blocker, he had his struggles, and looks a lot better as a move blocker at this point. Some flashes of power are shown, but his technique still holds him back.
Summary:
Conyers has some appeal for teams looking for a gadget guy who has some similarities to Taysom Hill. He can threaten as a receiving TE thanks to some natural talent, but his route tree is also limited because of limited agility. But the speed is there to really threaten up the seam. His contributions as a passer, runner, and pass catcher (again, like Taysom Hill) will be useful for a team that can get creative. He won’t be exactly like a traditional TE. There are some things that need working on, including his blocking, and he is more on the raw side right now. Early on, he might get some manufactured touches, with the potential of an expanded role as he continues to develop.
| Grade: 62.1 | Round Grade: 6th |
14
Luke Lachey
School: Iowa
Ht/Wt: 6’6”, 251 lbs
Strengths:
Lachey has a well built frame to handle work in the trenches. He shows flashes of being a good blocker from the in-line position, and is also able to seal off edges as a move blocker. His hands are reliable as a pass catcher, and he can pluck it away from his frame. He is a decent route runner in the short areas, which will help him as a check down option.
Weaknesses:
Lachey is a below average athlete, which puts a big cap on the upside his game brings. He can make some shorter catches, but won’t be threatening anyone further down the field due to his inability to separate. Similarly, he isn’t a threat with the ball in his hands after the catch. Lachey is a solid blocker, but I’d like to see him get more pop early on in the rep. Without getting that early leg up, he makes it tougher on himself to sustain the block.
Summary:
Lachey projects as a depth TE at the next level. He offers baseline checkdown receiving ability, but his sub par athleticism and inability to separate likely will prevent him from becoming more than that. He shows good signs as a blocker, but playing meaner and with more pop will help him with consistency. With improvement as a blocker, he could slowly see his snaps on offence increase.
| Grade: 58.8 | Round Grade: 7th |
15
Jackson Hawes
School: Georgia Tech
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 253 lbs
Strengths:
Hawes is a versatile blocker, and probably the best one of the TE’s that I have scouted in this class. He brings size and strength to the table, and does well to stay square to his opponent. His sustain on his blocks is good in the passing game, and he can generate movement as a run blocker. Hawes is also a solid lead blocker, and even was able to block in space when lined up in the slot. He can give you basic contributions in the passing game thanks to his soft hands and catch radius. Further showing his versatility, Hawes is able to play on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Hawes is a good enough athlete for his role as a blocker, but sub par by the standards of a receiving TE. He won’t create much downfield separation, and is left mostly for some quick target where he can use his frame to box out opponents. On the same note, he isn’t a threat after the catch.
Summary:
Hawes projects as a blocking TE at the next level. His lack of athleticism and upside may lead to a ceiling of TE3 or 4. However, on a team that heavily utilizes blocking TE’s and runs a lot of 12 personnel, his snap counts might one day look closer to that of a TE2. Coaches will like his toughness and special teams ability, and I think he’ll be able to stick around because of it. He isn’t a flashy player, but he does the dirty work, and teams will appreciate that for a late rounder or potential UDFA.
| Grade: 55.4 | Round Grade: 7th |
16
CJ Dippre
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’5”, 256 lbs
Strengths:
Dippre has a big, well built frame, and the strength to go with it. He was used quite a bit as an in-line blocker, and looked pretty good. Early in the rep, he is able to get some good pop into his block, and come in with some physicality. When he is well centred and comes into the block with extra power from his legs, he is pretty good at sustaining. Dippre gives you basic capabilities as a pass catcher. He can bring in check downs, and will be a physical runner after the catch. Sometimes he powers his way through tackles, sometimes he doesn’t, but either way, you know it will be a pain for the defender who goes to tackle him.
Weaknesses:
Dippre is a below average athlete for the position, and won’t threaten defences down the field as a pass catcher. Even after the catch, his extra yards come via power, and not through making people miss. Further, drops did show up from time to time, and he is inconsistent reeling the ball in when it is away from his frame. Dippre is generally good as a blocker, but doesn’t always play with as much leverage as he could. This causes his ability to sustain blocks to take a hit sometimes.
Summary:
Dippre projects as a depth TE at the next level, largely due to his lack of athleticism and inability to threaten defences as a pass catcher. He is a good blocker, though mistakes are still present. The frame and strength are there for him. If his technique can be a bit more consistent, and he irons out some of the kinks as a blocker, Dippre could slowly start to see more reps on offence, with a role primarily as an in-line blocker.
| Grade: 54.8 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
FB Rankings:
1
Brock Lampe
School: Northern Illinois
Ht/Wt: 6’1”, 244 lbs
Strengths:
Lampe is an old fashioned, tough as nails FB. Lead blocking is the name of his game, and he sure does it well. He gets out of his stance quickly and builds up some good speed, which helps him bring additional power. Lampe is a strong player, but even more than that, he is mean. He will not just look to make the block, he’ll drive his opponent back another 10 yards even after his job is done, before then putting him on the ground. He isn’t nimble by TE standards, but he has enough straight line speed to run basic routes down the field, such as a seam route. You’ll get a little bit of production from him as a pass catcher and even the odd goal line carry. As well, Lampe is good on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Lampe can make basic contributions as a pass catcher, but isn’t a dynamic threat or anything. His route tree doesn’t contain anything more than linear routes and quick check down ones. He also lacks the height to make contested catches, and the length to be consistent as an in-line blocker. As a lead blocker, he might be a bit overaggressive at times, which leads to lunges and the odd whiff. Wasn’t a big issue, but popped up the odd time.
Summary:
Lampe is the best true FB in this class. If you want an old school lead blocker than can pack a punch, he is your guy. He can make the odd play as a pass catcher, but not like one of those hybrid TE types. But he’ll have a chance to make it (maybe even a chance to get drafted) because he does his job well, even if it is a niche role in today’s NFL.
| Grade: 78.3 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
2
Robbie Ouzts
School: Alabama
Ht/Wt: 6’3”, 274 lbs
Strengths:
Ouzts has a thick build and brings a ton of power as a lead blocker. For his frame, he has decent movement skills and he is able to effectively serve as a move blocker and get to where he needs to be intime. When building up his momentum, he is able to get a lot of pop into his block, and can be especially devastating for members of the secondary and some LB’s. He is decently capable as an in-line blocker. As well, his hands looked soft enough when he was relied on as a check down option. Ouzts plays a tough game, and should also be able to contribute on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Ouzts is well built, but is lacking in length for an in-line blocker. There were times where he had to strain, as his leverage was slowly slipping away. He is capable in-line, but certainly not without flaw. Ouzts can make basic contributions as a pass catcher, but he isn’t a big threat beyond checkdowns. He won’t threaten defences with athleticism and also isn’t a threat in contested situations.
Summary:
Ouzts projects as a FB/H-Back at the next level. He did a lot of in-line blocking in college, and while capable, he is much better as a lead blocker, where his power and strength can be rough for defenders to take on. He can make simple catches as a check down guy, but isn’t a threat on a skill level. Ouzts is a guy who will make his living playing a blue collar game offensive, while probably contributing on special teams as well. It is likely he goes undrafted, but he’ll have a chance to make a team out of camp.
| Grade: 75.6 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
3
Brant Kuithe
School: Utah
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 236 lbs
Strengths:
Kuithe is an athletic player that has shown some versatility in college. He lined up all over the formation, playing in the slot, out wide, in-line, H-Back, and even RB. Athletically, he is very nimble and fluid, possessing the attributes to create separation as a pass catcher, regardless of where he is lined up. His versatility to block as a FB on in-line TE is good, and his athleticism allows him to reach his targets as a move blocker. He also has the ability to play on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Kuithe is a tweener, who lacks the height and build of a true TE, but also doesn’t have the mass of a FB. He can contribute at both positions, but is inconsistent as a blocker. Even as a pass catcher, he isn’t great when forced to fight through contact, and ends up with some drops. Kuithe will need to pack on some weight to handle a role that will certainly have to include work in the trenches. Because, although is a good athlete, it is not good enough for him to pass off strictly as a slot receiver, so he will have to improve his ability as a blocker. Kuithe also enters the NFL with a long injury history.
Summary:
Kuithe is a versatile player, but also a tweener who is tough to project. He isn’t quick or fast enough to just be a slot receiver, but he lacks the size and length to be consistent as an in-line TE or FB. It is hard to envision him being a regular as an in-line guy, but his athleticism is an asset for what is asked of a FB or H-Back. If he can get stronger, he might be able to earn himself a role. His pass catching flashes will also help him, but he’ll need to limit the drops and improve his play through contact. Kuithe’s injury history is worth mentioning, but as a likely UDFA regardless, it won’t likely have as big an impact as it would for a different prospect. At the end of the day, he has some upside for the right role, but will have to make the necessary improvements to have a chance.
| Grade: 65.7 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
4
Jared Casey
School: Kansas
Ht/Wt: 6’0”, 245 lbs
Strengths:
Casey did a few different things in his team’s offence. He is a decent lead blocker with enough speed and size to get some pop into his blocks. When lined up in-line, he looked best when pulling across the line to seal up the backside. He is a good enough athlete to get there in time. As a oute runner, his straight line speed is pretty solid, and he has good enough hands to catch passes close to his frame. Casey can play on special teams.
Weaknesses:
Casey is a bit undersized, and doesn’t have the length to consistently block in-line. When he is lined up there, he is much better as a puller. He is decent as a lead blocker, but his lack of twitch does limit his ability to react to defenders who have altered their path of pursuit. As a route runner too, you don’t see much quickness, so his ability to separate is limited. He also lacks the size to make contested catches, so as far as ability as a pass catcher goes, it is pretty basic.
Summary:
Casey has enough speed and strength to get a look in camp as a FB. He is capable as a check down option in the passing game, and can play on special teams. However, his lack of height and length, as well as his lack of twitch will make it a bit of an uphill climb.
| Grade: 62.8 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
5
Pat Conroy
School: Old Dominion
Ht/Wt: 6’2”, 240 lbs
Strengths:
Conroy is a decent athlete for the position, and has the ability to also contribute as a receiver. He lined up in the slot quite a bit, and while not really a dynamic weapon, he is capable of getting open and providing modest production. His hands are reliable enough. The athleticism is there for him to function as a lead blocker and blocker in space. He has a lot of experience blocking from the slot on running plays.
Weaknesses:
Conroy might not have the strength for consistent in-line duty. He loses hand battles and sometimes allows his opponent to get off of the block and bring down the ball carrier. He was more of a TE/slot hybrid, but is undersized for a TE, so it is likely he’ll need to do more work as a lead blocker. While his strength is decent enough for the role, I wouldn’t say he really has that downhill mentality or toughness.
Summary:
Conroy showed some ability as a pass catcher out of the slot, but probably lacks the size to be a blocker from the traditional TE spot. He’ll need to prove that he can make it as more of an H-Back type. He has the athleticism to be a good lead blocker, but he didn’t get as much work in this role, at least in my exposures. There will be a lot for him to prove, but he has some traits that will give him a shot.
| Grade: 60.5 | Round Grade: UDFA* |
*Denotes that round grades for FB & Special Teams do not follow the same scale as other positions.
TE Rankings:
- Tyler Warren (88.1, Rd 1)
- Colston Loveland (85.0, Rd 1)
- Mason Taylor (82.6, Rd 2)
- Elijah Arroyo (78.7, Rd 3)
- Thomas Fidone (74.7, Rd 4)
- Gunnar Helm (73.9, Rd 4)
- Oronde Gadsden (69.8, Rd 5)
- Jake Briningstool (69.5, Rd 5)
- Joshua Simon (67.4, Rd 5)
- Terrance Ferguson (65.1, Rd 5)
- Harold Fannin (65.0, Rd 5)
- Mitchell Evans (63.4, Rd 6)
- Jalin Conyers (62.1, Rd 6)
- Luke Lachey (58.8, Rd 7)
- Jackson Hawes (55.4, Rd 7)
- CJ Dippre (54.8, UDFA)
FB Rankings:
- Brock Lampe (78.3, UDFA)*
- Robbie Ouzts (75.6, UDFA)*
- Brant Kuithe (65.7, UDFA)*
- Jared Casey (62.8, UDFA)*
- Pat Conroy (60.5, UDFA)*
See Also: RB Rankings
