Breaking down Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft.
(Photo: 247Sports)
The 2025 NFL offseason is officially in full swing as free agency continues while teams continue their homework on some of the top prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft.
As the Chicago Bears continue a busy offseason, the franchise will have a top-10 pick for the third straight year under general manager Ryan Poles, providing the front office with an opportunity to add an instant impact player and long-term building block. With four picks inside the top-75, including two second-round picks (Nos. 39 and 41), the Bears will have a chance to address a handful of needs across the roster.
Set to be one of the deepest tight end classes in recent memory, one name that could intrigue the Bears during late day two and potentially the earlier part of day is Texas Longhorns tight end Gunnar Helm. Standing at 6-foot-5 with 32.75-inch arms, Helm had a breakout campaign in 2024 with 60 receptions, 714 receiving yards, and seven touchdowns.
Let's get into our scouting report on Helm.
Gunnar Helm, Texas, (6-foot-5, 241 pounds)
From his NFL.com draft profile via Lance Zierlein:
"A combination tight end with good size and soft hands, Helm developed rapidly in the high-scoring Texas offense. 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."
Film:
Strengths:
- Hands really pop out on tape. He's able to catch anything that is thrown his way.
- Has a really good understanding of the different levels of the field and how to take advantage of what coverages defenses are going to play against him.
- Size should be very appealing for a player who can become a quarterbacks best friend very quickly.
- Good footwork allows him to run solid, crisp routes.
- Breakout senior season with the Longhorns makes him a high-upside prospect who could thrive in the right system at the NFL level.
- Has flashes on tape of being an absolute force as a pass blocker.
- Should see some early reps on the slot as a pass catcher.
Weaknesses:
- Struggles to create separation when playing against man coverage.
- Will need to add more muscle to his frame in order to really start to realize his true potential.
- Lacks the explosiveness to be a true home run target.
- Gets overpowered when it comes to playing against bigger, faster, and stronger defensive linemen.
- Will be a late-bloomer in the league. He'll need a year or two of being TE2 before he starts to realize his true potential.
Final Thoughts:
Watching Helm on film, it's easy to see why so many consider him to be a prospect with a high ceiling but also, a high floor. The athleticism and traits are there to really develop into a solid player but he also needs to add a lot more strength to his frame if he's going to take the next step in his development.
Helm should be a late day two, early day three pick as a player that can come in and provide some instant depth on offense but be a solid contributor on special teams as a rookie. For a team like the Bears, with Cole Kmet under contract through the conclusion of the 2028 season, Helm would have time to develop and sit behind a solid veteran before eventually taking over as a full-time starter in the future.
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