The tight finish class within the 2025 NFL Draft has a whole lot of promise. Exterior of Tyler Warren (who may be half golem) and Colston Loveland (Sean Payton’s dream), there’s a whole lot of tight ends on this class who carry completely different flavors to an NFL offense. Some of the attention-grabbing circumstances on the place is Bowling Inexperienced TE Harold Fannin Jr.
If you happen to search for any file books for single season receiving numbers for a decent finish, you’ll in all probability discover Fannin’s identify in it. Single season receiving yards? Fannin stands alone on the high after a 2024 marketing campaign that noticed him go for 1,555 receiving yards on 117 receptions (additionally most in NCAA historical past by a decent finish). Fannin additionally carried out at his greatest towards larger groups in energy conferences, going for over 100 receiving yards towards each Penn State and Texas A&M.
Nevertheless, Fannin is a little bit of an odd projection relating to the NFL. Because the league shifts to 12 personnel and energy hole and bower-based runs, having a decent finish who can block properly sufficient to pressure groups into their base personnel, however not be a stiff within the receiving division is large. How does Fannin match into the trendy NFL offense?
What Fannin brings to the desk begins as a receiver. He’s compactly constructed at 6’3 and 241 kilos, however his skill to separate and get targets downfield. It’s a little bit cliche to say, however Fannin actually is usually a vertical subject stretcher down the seams. He’s not overly quick, however his burst by the primary ten yards helps him mud linebackers and safeties. If he will get a free launch to work vertically, he’s going to win on the route. It is a good instance. He’s operating an outbreaking route towards Arkansas State, and that free launch offers him time to construct up velocity and he can use some hip motion to promote inside then break again out.
That is one other actually good instance of Fannin with the ability to stretch the sector with a free launch down the seams. Texas A&M is operating Tampa 2, and Fannin is working as the within receiver off one other free launch, and he’s in a position to bend this route proper into the outlet within the zone.
Fannin can be an issue on display routes and targets from out the backfield. He had the second-most display routes run in school soccer in 2024 (behind Penn State’s Tyler Warren) and a blistering 0.371 EPA per goal on mentioned routes. As I mentioned earlier than, he’s not tremendous quick, however his buildup velocity is one thing to behold. If he will get a transparent lane or runway, he can stand up to 60 fairly rapidly. On this arrow display, you’ll be able to see Fannin’s skill to interrupt tackles and switch this right into a 64 yard completion. He’s not probably the most overwhelming athlete, however he’s proven to be a load to deal with when he’s obtained the ball in his palms.
As a blocker, I believe Fannin has his moments, however in sure conditions. At his greatest, Fannin is used because the second tight finish in 12 personnel and takes on cornerbacks, safeties and linebackers. He can get too vast at instances, permitting for his goal to get previous him, however when he locks on he is usually a good blocker in house.
On the Senior Bowl in Cell, Fannin labored each as an F TE and as a fullback, which is the place I believe he’ll win within the NFL as a blocker. Get him off the ball, working towards LBs and safeties and he could make hay as a blocker.
Whereas Fannin is an excellent receiver on the place, I believe there are some issues that would probably maintain him again. Total, he’s a little bit of an odd athlete, who finally ends up getting his ft caught on routes. As a result of he has to construct up velocity to essentially win, a few of his struggles have come by contact early in his routes. Bowling Inexperienced did an amazing job of getting him into conditions the place he may use free releases and never have to fret about preventing by contact as usually as different tight ends. On high of that, Fannin isn’t that dynamic as an in-line blocker, being overwhelmed by larger and stronger ends.
How will that translate into the NFL? I believe there’s a task for him, but it surely’s going to be particular. Due to his deficiencies as an in-line blocker, he’s going to should completely be in 12 personnel. Nevertheless, does that restrict his versatility? If he can’t be in 11 personnel due to the place he lacks as a blocker, how excessive are you keen to take him? At his greatest within the NFL, I believe he’s like a Jonnu Smith or Isaiah Seemingly model of participant. Designated touches, downfield targets and talent to win after the catch because the second tight finish, and you’ll attempt to get him remoted on different smaller guys on the protection as a blocker.
The most important factor to recollect about Fannin is that he’s 20 years outdated, although. The room for progress and improvement remains to be so, so vast, and coach might help morph him into somebody that may play full time. With how a lot 21 and 22 personnel the Ravens play, Seemingly is ready to win as an off the road of scrimmage blocker and a receiver downfield, one thing that Fannin can mimic on the NFL stage.
Given his age and manufacturing, he’s worthy of a swing on Day 2 of the draft. Nevertheless, it’ll take a inventive coach to unlock his potential.
