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
College Statistics
| Receiving | Rushing | Scrimmage | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD | Y/G | Att | Yds | TD | Y/G | Plays | Yds | Avg | TD | Awards |
| 2021 | Texas | Big 12 | FR | TE | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2022* | Texas | Big 12 | SO | TE | 13 | 5 | 44 | 8.8 | 0 | 3.4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 5 | 44 | 8.8 | 0 | |
| 2023* | Texas | Big 12 | JR | TE | 14 | 14 | 192 | 13.7 | 2 | 13.7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 14 | 192 | 13.7 | 2 | |
| 2024* | Texas | SEC | SR | TE | 16 | 60 | 786 | 13.1 | 7 | 49.1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 60 | 786 | 13.1 | 7 | |
| Career | 55 | 79 | 1022 | 12.9 | 9 | 18.6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 79 | 1022 | 12.9 | 9 | |||||
Player Overview
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.”
Strengths
- Very good pass blocker.
- Excellent hands.
- Possessing a strong ability to read defenses.
- Prototypical TE size.
- Experienced route runner.
Weaknesses
- Not particularly fast or explosive.
- Has to improve play strength.
- Run blocking needs work.
Let’s See His Work
Let me introduce y’all to Texas TE Gunnar Helm!
Only 2 drops IN HIS CAREER
Best run blocking TE in this class
Fluid athlete, sneaky athleticism
He’s a 2nd round grade for us, where do you have this Longhorn? pic.twitter.com/cKrW5frhUB
— 2025 NFL Draft (@DraftRT) January 23, 2025
Look at 85 Gunnar Helm for Texas fight and claw and redirect Mason Graham off the edge. This is what Helm brings to the table. Toughness. pic.twitter.com/qbhY9l3YdB
— Lance Zierlein (@LanceZierlein) December 24, 2024
One of least talked about factors in @TexasFootball being ranked No. 1 in CFB has been emergence of TE Gunnar Helm as legit downfield threat in passing game.
Fluid receiver with Y-sized frame (6051v, 252v) makes this impressive track & adjustment on wrong-shoulder throw last… https://t.co/qLCZQNJfd5 pic.twitter.com/L7KxQFzmLR
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) October 16, 2024
How He Would Fit
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.