2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Elijah Arroyo

Strengths:

• Smooth Mover: A long frame showcasing fluid athleticism.
• Vertical Threat: Has the ideal speed to threaten the seam vertically and can quickly change direction to break off routes from the vertical stem.
• Savvy: Understands route-running leverage and how to use his eyes and body to manipulate a defender. Possesses a strong sense of the soft spots in zone coverage.
• Hands: Good hands catcher with just one drop on 63 career targets. He flashes the ability to go up and get it.
• Blocking: Demonstrates quality effort as a blocker and a willingness to do the dirty work.

Weaknesses:

• Inexperienced: He has recorded only 63 career targets and played 997 snaps over four years at Miami.
• Injury History: Knee injuries restricted his playing time, and medical evaluations at the NFL combine will be required to assess his draft positioning.
• Acceleration: Not an instant accelerator into routes and out of breaks.
• Physicality: Struggles to overcome physical man coverage as a route runner.
• Blocking: Wasn't often asked to block in-line and was removed from the field in obvious running situations. The blocking effort is present, but the technique and play strength require substantial improvement.

Final Thoughts and Bears Fit for Elijah Arroyo:

Elijah Arroyo is a joy to watch. His fluid athleticism makes it look like he is floating over the field. As I watch him, I can’t help but think of players like Darren Waller and Noah Fant, who always make complex athletic movements appear effortless. However, like those two players, his NFL future largely depends on the scheme he is asked to execute.

His future may not be as promising if an NFL team selects Arroyo in hopes of developing him into a true in-line tight end. I’m unsure he can increase his weight without compromising some of his athletic abilities. He is ideally suited for a pass-heavy offense, looking for a move-tight end to act as a chess piece within the scheme.

For the Bears, I don't view Arroyo as a good fit for Ben Johnson's offense. Historically, Detroit's third receiver tends to be a larger player who excels at blocking on the outside. There might be a role for Arroyo as that third wide receiver, but not as a traditional tight end. Therefore, I don't anticipate the Bears targeting Arroyo unless he falls outside the top 100.

Ceiling Comp: Darren Waller

Most Likely Comp: Noah Fant