Gunnar Helm TE Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Gunnar Helm TE Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Inline Blocking TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 03/01/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.84 seconds (34%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 09/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Inline Blocking TE | |
| Last Updated: 03/01/2025 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.84 seconds (34%*) | |
| Age: 22.6 DOB: 09/06/2002 | |
| Bowl Invite: Senior Bowl | |
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| Overall Rating: | 84.0 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
| Defense Rating: |
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77% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 137.2 | |
| Hands: |
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85% |
| Short Receiving: |
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84% |
| Intermediate Routes: |
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91% |
| Deep Threat: |
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90% |
| Blocking: |
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60% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
3rd
Overall Rank:
#90
Position rank:
#6
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| College Games: 41 College Snaps: 1775 | ||
ESPN RATING: 76/100
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247 RATING: 84/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.8 (95%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Isaiah Likely - Coastal Carolina |
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83% |
| Jake Ferguson - Wisconsin |
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83% |
| Hunter Long - Boston College |
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81% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Gunnar Helm emerged from Cherry Creek High School in Colorado as a decorated multi-sport athlete, earning All-State honors in football while leading his team to back-to-back state championships and 23 straight wins. The former basketball standout brought his hardwood skills to Austin in 2021, where his development followed a methodical progression from special teams contributor to occasional starter before exploding onto the national scene in 2024. After logging just 236 yards through his first three seasons, the 6'5", 238-pound senior delivered a breakout campaign with 58 receptions for 744 yards and seven touchdowns, earning Second Team All-SEC honors and a Senior Bowl invitation.His academic excellence matched his on-field growth, earning five appearances on the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll while steadily expanding his role in the offense. The John Mackey Award semifinalist announced his arrival with a signature performance against #10 Michigan (7 catches, 98 yards, TD), highlighted by three 20+ yard receptions and a team-leading 45 yards after catch. That game proved no fluke as Helm went on to record six games with 50+ receiving yards, including clutch performances in Texas's CFP run with 77 yards and a touchdown against Clemson followed by 56 yards and another score versus Arizona State in the Peach Bowl.
Before his senior breakout, Helm steadily built his foundation through three years of consistent contribution, appearing in 41 games and making 10 starts from 2021-2023. His junior campaign offered glimpses of his potential, particularly in the Red River Rivalry where he posted then-career highs of four receptions and 67 yards while notching his first collegiate touchdown. That steady progression culminated in a 2024 season that saw him emerge as a reliable target for quarterback Quinn Ewers while maintaining his academic standards, earning Academic All-Big 12 Second Team recognition.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Natural hands catcher who tracks the ball like a veteran - only two drops in his collegiate career showcase elite concentration and reliable mitts
- Masterful body control in traffic - uses basketball background to box out defenders and high-point throws like he's grabbing rebounds in the paint
- Nasty route runner against zone coverage - shows advanced feel for settling in soft spots and adjusting depth based on linebacker positioning
- Deceptively shifty after the catch - doesn't just go down on first contact, showed multiple hurdle moves and ability to make defenders miss in space
- Smart blocker who excels on the move - particularly effective sealing edges on split-zone action and climbing to second level defenders
- Red zone weapon who creates throwing windows with subtle push-offs and body positioning - knows how to use his frame to shield defenders
- Shows some dog in contested catch situations - consistently wins 50/50 balls and maintains possession through contact
- Reliable pass protector with proper technique - anchors well against edge rushers and understands angle concepts in protection schemes
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Lacks ideal play strength for traditional Y tight end role - stronger defensive ends can overwhelm him at point of attack in run game
- Route tree needs expansion - primarily worked crossers, outs and seams in college system with limited experience running full route tree
- Hand placement in blocking remains inconsistent - tends to get wide with strikes leading to potential holding calls at next level
- Average speed limits vertical impact - won't threaten defenses down the seam or create separation
- Can struggle maintaining blocks through whistle - initial positioning solid but needs to develop better sustain techniques and leg drive
Scouting Report: Summary
Helm is a tight end ready to contribute in the passing game from day one while possessing the framework to develop into a complete player. His basketball background shows up consistently in his ability to win contested catches and box out defenders, skills that will translate immediately to NFL red zone packages. The natural hands and instincts for finding soft spots in zone coverage will make him a reliable chain-mover from the jump.Watch Helm's touchdown against Michigan or his clutch grabs in the CFP - this is a player who rises to big moments. The way he sets up defenders with subtle head fakes and shoulder leans reminds me of a young Tyler Higbee, another converted basketball player who developed into a complete tight end. When Helm gets matched up against linebackers or smaller safeties, he knows how to use his frame to create throwing windows and make himself available to his quarterback despite lacking speed.
Give him two years to add functional strength and refine his blocking technique, and you're looking at a potential three-down tight end who can line up anywhere in the formation. His combination of reliable hands, natural feel for space, and emerging route craft gives him one of the highest floors in this tight end class. Teams running heavy 12 personnel packages will see an immediate contributor who can develop into much more.
Gunnar Helm percentiles vs other Tight Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Gunnar Helm (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
80.5
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
6.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.