Hogs Haven
Hogs Haven takes a look at 2025 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Gunnar Helm, TE
School: Texas | Conference: SEC
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6’5” / 250 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 3-4
Player Comp: Dalton Schultz
Helm joined the Longhorns after getting All-State recognition in Colorado for his high school performance. During his freshman year in Austin, he played almost exclusively on special teams, where he assisted on the field goal unit. As a sophomore, he started in four games and played in all 13.
As a junior, Helm started in 6 games, but played well enough to earn an All-Big 12 honorable mention, but he was caught behind standout Ja’Tavion Sanders. This season, in a deep tight end class, Helm was a named John Mackey Award semi-finalist (for the best tight end in college football) after nearly 60 receptions for over 700 yards, and serving as quarterback Quinn Ewers safety valve.
The value of Helm as a reliable option for his quarterback was recognized by his head coach prior to the Peach Bowl, where he played a key role in Texas’ success:
“We all know the path, his journey, the development that he’s had in our program. I’m super proud of him,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said. “(Ewers) can place balls in certain spots where he knows maybe if Gunnar doesn’t catch it, it’s probably incomplete ... They’ve been together for three years now, and I think there’s a lot of trust there.”
The 2025 draft is considered to have one of the deepest tight end classes in years, and Helm is a key component of that. We will know well before the draft whether Washington is likely to make any serious additions to its tight end room this season, by seeing what they do with John Bates. If they extend Bates, which I expect them to do, and bring Zach Ertz back for another rodeo, which I also expect them to do, I doubt they’ll use Day 2 draft capital on a tight end. That said, I would be completely unsurprised if they took a TE talent on Day 3 who had slipped through the cracks, as a developmental option.
If either Bates or Ertz go unsigned by Washington, almost anything would be on the table. If Bates leaves, Helm would be a perfect substitute, already possessing the plus blocking skills necessary to succeed at the pro level quickly.
