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Former NFL WR Makes Surprising Comparison for Titans Rookie TE Gunnar Helm

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Mike Patton | Last updated Jun 26, 2025 11:15 AM ET

The rookie who many Titans fans are excited about is quarterback Cam Ward, the first overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. While many are gushing over Ward, there is another player Titans fans are excited about as well: Gunnar Helm.

Tennessee selected the talented tight end from the University of Texas in the fourth round of this year's draft. Helm is preparing for his rookie season before training, and one of the places he is doing so is at Tight End University in Nashville, Tennessee.

This annual gathering of NFL tight ends was started by San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and former NFL tight end Greg Olsen.

The goal of the three-day program, which started in 2021, is not only to build community among tight ends but to help enhance or develop all players at the position.

Helm is in the right place to develop his skills, and according to former NFL wide receiver Quinton Patton, a member of the staff at Tight End University, Helm looks good among his contemporaries.

"Gunnar looks smooth and fluid at Tight End U," Patton told Athlon Sports.

AthElite Performance's CEO, Jeremy Holt, who was integral in putting together Tight End U, also had some words about the rookie tight end.

"He's looked great!" Holt told Athlon Sports. "You can tell he's taking advantage of the opportunity to be around guys who have paved the way for the position, and he wants to continue to grow."

Patton has been watching Helm train with Holt since before the draft and has had a front-row seat to the work Helm has put in. When asked who Helm reminds him of, Patton had a unique comparison.

"That's tough for me. He is more like a Robert Tonyan. Smooth route runner and a big target with great hands," Patton said.

Tonyan had two strong NFL seasons in 2020 and 2022, where he was an intricate part of the Packers' offense.

Holt, who has trained Kittle and other players in the NFL, had another comparison for Helm.

"I know it's super early, but I see some of the same traits in him that I see in Zach Ertz," Holt said. "His routes are smooth, and he runs them with ease."

The season has not started yet, but there is excitement building in Nashville for what Gunnar Helm could be. With these trainers and former players seeing the potential in Helm and him seemingly making strides at Tight End U, Titans fans have a right to be excited about what he could bring.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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