Oronde Gadsden II 2025 NFL Draft Syracuse TE Scouting Report
In this talented 2025 NFL Draft class, a talented tight end on your radar should be Oronde Gadsden II. He’s a mismatch nightmare out of Syracuse with potential in the NFL. Today, we’ll break down the NFL outlook with this in-depth scouting report. Additionally, we will be breaking down the talented TE with his strengths, areas for improvement, and his potential draft grade.
Oronde Gadsden II 2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report
Gadsden, a Fort Lauderdale native, arrived at Syracuse as a three-star wide receiver recruit out of American Heritage High School, carrying his father’s legacy, Oronde Gadsden, a former NFL wideout for the Miami Dolphins. Initially a wide receiver in 2021, he transitioned to tight end ahead of the 2022 season—a move that unlocked his potential and rewrote Syracuse record books.
Despite a Lisfranc injury derailing his 2023 campaign, Gadsden returned in 2024 to cement his status as one of college football’s premier pass-catching tight ends. With 143 career receptions for 2,000 yards and 14 touchdowns across 36 games, he departs Syracuse as the program’s all-time leader among tight ends in both categories.
HT: 6045
WT: 243
HAND: 1000
ARM: 3338
40: 4.65
Strengths:
- Receiving Ability: Gadsden’s wide receiver roots shine in his route-running finesse and catch-point instincts. Thanks to his length and leaping ability, he’s a natural hands-catcher with a massive catch radius. His 2022 (61 receptions, 969 yards) and 2024 (73 receptions, 934 yards) seasons showcase his ability to dominate as a primary target.
- Mismatch Creator: At over 6’4” and 243 pounds, Gadsden overwhelms smaller defensive backs in the slot while outpacing most linebackers down the seam. His smooth acceleration and long strides make him a legitimate vertical threat.
- Body Control & Ball Skills: Gadsden adjusts to off-target throws with ease, high-pointing passes in traffic and contorting his frame to secure contested catches. His soft hands and focus yield a low drop rate (5.2% in 2024).
- Alignment Versatility: He’s thrived in multiple roles—slot (over 700 career snaps), in-line (183 snaps in 2024 alone), and occasional boundary work. This flexibility suits modern NFL offenses that prioritize matchup exploitation.
- Competitive Toughness: Post-injury, Gadsden’s 2024 bounce-back season demonstrated resilience. He’s willing to take hits over the middle and fights for extra yards after contact.
Areas for Improvement:
- Blocking Deficiency: Gadsden’s transition to tight end hasn’t fully translated to the run game. He lacks the lower-body strength and leverage to displace defensive ends or hold his own in-line against power rushers. His effort is there, but the technique and functional power lag behind.
- Hip Fluidity: His height and frame introduce slight stiffness when sinking into breaks on shorter routes. Against tight man coverage, quicker defensive backs can occasionally stick to him at the top of his stem.
- Injury History: The 2023 Lisfranc injury raises durability questions. Though he returned strong in 2024, NFL teams will scrutinize his medicals to assess long-term risk.
- Positional Fit Uncertainty: Is he a true tight end or a jumbo wide receiver? His blocking limitations might pigeonhole him into a flex role, potentially reducing his draft stock in a deep tight end class.
Conclusion:
Gadsden’s blend of size, speed, and hands makes him a tantalizing prospect, but his blocking and positional ambiguity cap his immediate impact. For the right scheme, he’s a steal; for traditionalists, he’s a project. Either way, his NFL bloodline and production suggest he’ll stick.
Overall, Gadsden profiles as a “move” tight end or big-slot receiver in the NFL. Specifically, he might be suited for 12-personnel (two-TE) or spread offenses that prioritize passing. His ceiling resembles a more polished Ladarius Green—a vertical mismatch with developmental upside, or a less physical Dallas Goedert. Day-one contributions will come as a pass-catcher. However, he’ll need coaching to round out his blocking for a three-down role.
In a loaded 2025 tight end class (featuring names like Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren), Gadsden’s draft range likely settles in Rounds 3-4, with a shot at Day 2 if teams fall in love with his upside.
Round Grade: 4th Round
Stats: Per Sports Reference
| Season | Team | G | Rec | Yds | Y/R | TD |
| 2021 | Syracuse | 8 | 2 | 24 | 12 | 0 |
| 2022* | Syracuse | 13 | 61 | 975 | 16 | 6 |
| 2023* | Syracuse | 2 | 7 | 67 | 9.6 | 1 |
| 2024* | Syracuse | 13 | 73 | 934 | 12.8 | 7 |
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