2025 NFL Combine results: 7 standouts from the tight ends group

The early parts of Day 2 at the 2025 NFL Combine, saw the defensive secondary perform on-field drills, but the third group featured the tight ends, giving our first look at the offensive prospects in this draft class.

Here are the position groups we’ve covered so far:

The Detroit Lions appear to have their eyes set on blocking tight ends who can play in a TE3 role, and we keep our focus on that group for this exercise. That means, some of the top-tier tight ends like Mason Taylor—who shined in on-field drills—won’t be included in our summary. Instead, we looked at prospects projected to be selected on Day 3 or potentially go undrafted.

We previously explored some of the prospects we kept close eyes on, and you missed it, be sure to give it a look for more information: Previewing the tight ends group ahead of the 2025 Combine.

And with that, let’s look at the tight ends who stood out on Day 2 of on-field drills.

New additions

Thomas Fidone, Nebraska (6-foot-5, 243) wasn’t in our initial preview list but that was a clear oversight on our end. An inline tight end with TE-Y range, Fidone ran a solid 4.74 40-yard dash and looked great in on-field drills. With a big frame and large catching radius, he routinely located the football, snatched it out of the air, and tucked it away like it was second nature. He attacked with speed during his routes and used his big body and hands to complete the drill. His blocking was very form heavy with solid drive.

Terrance Ferguson, Oregon (6-foot-5, 247), is more of a TE-F (move/joker tight end), which became more evident with his group-leading 4.63 40-yard dash. His 39-inch vertical jump also led the group, while his 10-foot-2 broad jump was second best. In drills, he showed a smooth release, tracked the ball effortlessly, and displayed soft, easy hands. As a blocker, he was more form than power, but his technique showed there was something to work with.

Previously scouted

Robbie Ouzts, Alabama (6-foot-3, 274) got a lot of attention on the broadcast for his mustache, but the extra screen time gave us a better look at what he had to offer. He very much looked like a player who ran a 4.91 in the 40-yard dash, but he made the most of his speed limitations. He attacked his routes with all he had, tracked the ball well, and displayed very strong hands when catching the ball—attacking it as it arrived instead of waiting for it to come to him. His blocking showed great form but I was hoping to see more power. Unfortunately, NFL Network only televised one blocking rep per participant, so I was left turning back to the tape, which was exceptional.

Luke Lachey, Iowa (6-foot-6, 251) didn’t participate in measurables but very much looked like an Iowa tight end in drills. He was smooth in his routes and mostly secured the catch without much strain (he did have a drop). Tracking the ball came easy, as did his adjustments. But there were little nuances that needed to be cleaned up, such as weaving on routes and wobbling during his block.

Jackson Hawes, Georgia Tech (6-foot-4, 253) looked like a blocking tight end during on-field drills but left us wanting more on the one rep he had televised. He got low and showed solid form, but had a hiccup on one of his drive steps. The power elements in his game showed up when running routes and catching passes. He got in and out of short breaks well, and easily secured shorter passes, but struggled the further he got down the field.

CJ Dippre, Alabama (6-foot-5, 256), looked sharp in his shorter routes but, like Hawes, got sloppier the further down the field he went. Still, his hands were solid in intermediate routes, and he routinely tucked the ball away, which is an added plus that not all participants show at the Combine. His blocking showed low bend and good form, and he was able to generate some drive.

Mitchell Evans, Notre Dame (6-foot-5, 258) was fast in his routes, showed smooth hands and tracked the ball well all over the field. His ability to pluck the ball out of the air was impressive and clean. As a blocker he got higher than I would have liked but he demonstrated good power. A good tight end coach could clean that up and make him into more of a complete prospect who could hear his name called earlier than expected in the draft.

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