Eagle Among Them?

If you’ve been paying attention to what Jeffrey Lurie, Howie Roseman and Nick Sirianni have intimated this offseason, you’re likely bracing yourselves for the post-Dallas Goedert era in Philadelphia. At every turn, Roseman has been transparent, sharing his vision and team-building approach moving forward as the Eagles undergo a maintenance offseason.

Rather than stomach sizeable charges tied to veterans, the Eagles have been calculated, ensuring the young nucleus remains intact to position the franchise for sustained success. That future isn’t likely to include Goedert, who carries a hefty 2025 charge and just turned 30 years old.

Complicating matters is that the Eagles don’t exactly have a successor in place, as the depth behind Goedert includes Grant Calcaterra, E.J. Jenkins, Harrison Bryant and Kylen Granson. The shallow depth presumably forces the team’s hand into identifying the heir apparent.

Here is my final 2025 NFL Draft tight end big board, including the range in which each prospect is expected to fall.

1. Tyler Warren, PSU

The top-rated tight end in this draft class, Warren thrived in Happy Valley as a Swiss Army knife, showcasing alignment versatility and solid contact balance after the catch. Reminds me of a wrecking ball when he gets a full head of steam. Good vision as a ball-carrier and quickly turns upfield. Not the prospect Brock Bowers was coming out last season, but Warren stands apart from his peers. He isn’t the most fluid of movers and he’ll need to prove he can run routes and separate consistently from NFL defenders. You can expect Warren to hear his name called in the early-to-mid portion of the first round.

2. Mason Taylor, LSU

I’m a tad higher on Taylor than most, as I believe he is the most complete tight end in this class and will ultimately go on to have the most prolific career. The son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and Dolphins legend Jason Taylor and nephew of Zack Thomas, the bloodlines are strong for Taylor, who last season posted 55 receptions for 546 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers. When compared to Warren and Loveland, Taylor in 2024 played the most snaps per game (71.8%). As a run blocker, Taylor bested both, grading out at 57.7%. He also committed just one drop last season and seven over his three-year career. Taylor is a sure-handed pass-catcher with a knack for finding the soft spots in zone. A willing blocker, though it’ll need some refining at the next level. Reminds me of former Eagles tight end Zach Ertz. I have Taylor going anywhere from late first-early second round. He’s a top-45 player on my board.

3. Colston Loveland, Michigan

The most dynamic pass-catcher of this group and widely viewed as the second-best tight end in this class, Loveland resembles a plus-sized wideout with his ability to get in and out of breaks and utilize his 6-foot-6, 248-pound frame to wall-off defenders. Exceptional ball skills and tracking ability. As a route-runner, Loveland effortlessly glides and runs a varied route tree. He’ll be a highly efficient red zone option. The Michigan tight end was unable to test during the pre-draft cycle after undergoing shoulder surgery in January, though he is expected to be ready for training camp. Loveland, who last season reeled in 56 receptions for 582 yards and five touchdowns over 10 games, must increase his play strength and make strides as a blocker, a sore spot in his game. I believe Loveland will hear his name called around the middle of the first round.

4. Elijah Arroyo, Miami

A relatively late riser throughout the process, Arroyo is a polarizing prospect due to his minimal college production. For reference, Arroyo managed only 11 receptions through his first three seasons, laboring through a knee injury during the 2022 and ’23 seasons. The tape is limited on Arroyo, but the 6-foot-5, 250-pound pass-catcher demonstrated reliable hands, good spatial awareness and some wiggle after the catch. He also happens to be the most efficient blocker of the “big five” tight end group in this class. Arroyo last season totaled 35 catches for 590 yards and seven touchdowns, bringing his career reception total to 46. I think he comes off the board around the middle of the second round.

5. Harold Fannin Jr., Bowling Green

Trust the eye test here, as Fannin Jr. didn’t post explosive testing numbers, recording a 4.71 40-yard dash and managing a 35-inch vertical, nor does he boast prototypical size at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds. Those numbers are a tad misleading and don’t reflect Fannin Jr.’s play speed and on-field production. For perspective, the Bowling Green product turned in a remarkably productive 2024 campaign, totaling 117 catches for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fannin Jr. is highly effective after the catch, has the wiggle and athleticism to stretch teams vertically and can be moveable chess piece to create favorable matchups. I currently have Fannin Jr. slotted as a late second round pick.

Others to know:

Terrance Ferguson, Oregon (3rd)

Gunnar Helm, Texas (3rd)

Oronde Gadsden II, Syracuse (4th)

– Andrew DiCecco (@AndrewDiCecco) is a Staff Reporter/Content Producer for InsideTheBirds.com.