Tennessee Titans select Gunnar Helm in 4th round of 2025 NFL Draft

Another tight end is off the board at the 2025 NFL Draft. This time, it’s Gunnar Helm heading his name called. The former Texas Longhorns star is going to the Tennessee Titans with the No. 120 overall pick in the fourth round. A big-time playmaker now gets his professional career underway.

Helm was a late developer at Texas under Steve Sarkisian but became an important part of the offense during the 2025 season. In 16 games, Helm caught 60 passes for 786 yards and seven touchdowns — all career highs. An incredible 13.1 yards per reception should translate well in the NFL.

There have been some hiccups in the draft process for Helm. A twisted ankle at the NFL Combine did not allow him to test as well as he wanted to. Helm ran a 4.85 in the 40-yard Dash, the drill where the injury was sustained. He still participated through every event in Indianapolis.

Even so, the goal of being drafted has been accomplished by Helm. A great example of the development Sarkisian has brought to the program, considering where the tight end ranked as a recrit.

Helm played high school football at Englewood (CO) Cherry Creek, where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 772 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

This is the second consecutive year Texas has seen a tight end draft. Helm follows Ja’Tavion Sanders, a fourth round pick of the Carolina Panthers.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Gunnar Helm

Ahead of the draft, NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein provided a scouting report on Helm. He gave the Texas product a prospect grade of 6.1, projecting him as a “good backup player with the potential to develop into a starter.” Zierlein even provided a comparison, saying Helm is similar to Jake Ferguson, currently of the Dallas Cowboys.

“A combination tight end with good size and soft hands, Helm developed rapidly in the high-scoring Texas offense,” Zierlein said. “He is a capable route runner who can be used on all three levels but was allowed free releases and frequent open looks that he won’t see as a pro. His size, hands and feel for space make him a quarterback-friendly target capable of moving the sticks at opportune times. He’ll need to thicken his lowers and improve his hand usage to handle in-line blocking chores in the NFL. Helm projects as a future TE2 with three-down potential.”