2025 NFL Draft: Gunnar Helm Scouting Report

Gunnar Helm NFL Draft Overview

Position: Tight End
Height: 6′-5″
Weight: 241 pounds
School: Texas

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2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Gunnar Helm, Texas

Following a successful collegiate career, Senior tight end Gunnar Helm has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft. The Texas product is coming off the best season of his career, flashing real promise while recording 60 receptions for 786 yards and seven touchdowns on 73 targets while earning Second-Team All-SEC honors. Per Pro Football Focus, Helm finished the season with just two drops and forced 12 missed tackles, the eighth-most among eligible tight ends.

Helm originally joined the college ranks in 2021 but spent his early years in a reserve role. After failing to record a catch as a true freshman, the Texas product recorded five receptions for 44 yards in 2022. He continued to grow in 2023, finishing the season with 14 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

Strengths

• Promising upside as a receiving tight end;
• Quick on his feet – capable of making guys miss in the open field and picking up yards after the catch;
• Strong enough to take a hit and fall forward for extra yards;
• Runs a relatively complex route tree for a tight end – the right offensive coordinator could make him a fun chess piece;
• Has the foot quickness to match speed rushers as a pass blocker.

Weaknesses

• Needs to add strength to play as an in-line tight end – will get dominated as a run blocker;
• Technique comes and goes in the trenches – more reps should bring consistency;
• Compensates for poor blocking by getting grabby – could draw holding flags;
• Not as productive in the pass game as his numbers suggest – benefitted from scheme and superior teammates;
• Has yet to prove himself as a top option – can he beat defenses when they know the ball is going to him?

NFL Comparison: Tyler Conklin

Teams With Need at Position: Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, Denver Broncos, Los Angeles Chargers, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Projection: Rounds 3-4

Bottom Line on Gunnar Helm

Gunner Helm enters the NFL Draft as a player who should have a decent career but probably won’t be anything more than a supporting option at the next level. Catching the ball is the most important thing any tight end can do in today’s aerial NFL, and Helm’s ability to make plays with his hands should keep him employed for years to come. He’s surprisingly elusive for his size, knows how to get open, and usually falls forward when hit to pick up a few extra yards. When asked to stay and block on pass plays, Helm’s quick feet allow him to match speed rushers and give his quarterback an extra second or two in the pocket.

While he has some positive traits, Gunner Helm has some work to do before he can become a full-time starter. He’s an asset in the passing game, but he’s an active liability in the running game. Not only does he lack the strength to push around edge defenders, but his hand placement and overall fundamentals also leave something to be desired. He compensates for this by getting grabby in the trenches, which leads to holding penalties. Unless he improves dramatically, his inability in the run game means he’ll never be anything more than a situational player.