Harold Fannin NFL Draft 2025: Tight End Scouting Report

Bowling Green’s Harold Fannin is a versatile player and one of the top tight ends in this 2025 NFL Draft class. For the NFL, Fannin profiles more as a pass-catching tight end with unique playmaking abilities. Today, we’ll be breaking down his outlook for the NFL Draft in this comprehensive scouting report.

Harold Fannin NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report

Harold Fannin is a promising prospect with a versatile skill set that can impact various aspects of an offense. His blend of athleticism, route-running ability, and playmaking after the catch makes him a potential mismatch for defenders. This unique combination of pass-catching ability and blocking ability could lead him to a notable role in the NFL. Additionally, this could bring some upside for dynasty fantasy football purposes.

Unfortunately, Fannin may not have the traditional size for an in-line tight end. However, his strengths in space and as a receiver show promise for his role in the NFL. Continue reading for a comprehensive breakdown of Fannin’s strengths and areas to improve as he transitions to the next level.

HT: 6032
WT: 241
HAND: 928
ARM: 3228
40: 4.71

Strengths

• Receiving Ability: Fannin’s hands are his standout trait—soft, reliable, and capable of snagging passes in traffic or extending his catch radius. His low drop rate and ability to adjust to off-target throws make him a quarterback’s dream.
• Yards After Catch (YAC): A dynamic runner post-catch, Fannin combines agility, balance, and surprising power to evade tacklers and pile up extra yardage. His 2024 season featured numerous broken tackles, reflecting his elusiveness and toughness.
• Route-Running Ability: While not the most explosive, Fannin’s precise footwork and understanding of leverage allow him to create separation against both man and zone defenses. He excels at finding soft spots and working back to the ball.
• Versatility: Bowling Green deployed him everywhere—inline, slot, out wide, even in the backfield—showcasing his ability to adapt to multiple roles. This flexibility could appeal to creative NFL play-callers.
• Production Under Pressure: Against Power 4 foes like Penn State and Texas A&M, Fannin thrived, proving he can handle elevated competition despite playing in the MAC.

Areas for Improvement

• Size and Frame: At his size, Fannin is undersized for a traditional inline tight end. His lighter build limits his effectiveness as a blocker and raises questions about durability against NFL physicality.
• Blocking Deficiency: Fannin’s effort in the run game is commendable, but he lacks the mass and lower-body strength to anchor or move defenders consistently. He’s more of a positional blocker than a mauler.
• Explosiveness: While smooth and crafty, Fannin doesn’t possess elite top-end speed or burst out of breaks, which could cap his ability to stretch the field vertically against faster NFL secondaries.
• Press Coverage Struggles: His release package is still developing, and physical corners that jam him at the line can disrupt his timing. He’ll need to refine his hand usage to counter this at the next level.
• Limited Route Tree Depth: Bowling Green leaned heavily on schemed touches (screens, flats, seams), so his experience running a full NFL route tree remains unproven.

Conclusion

Fannin’s 2024 tape reveals a player who thrives as a high-volume target with a knack for turning short gains into chunk plays. His body control shines on contested catches, where he routinely high-points the ball or adjusts mid-air. Against zone defenses, he settles into gaps with veteran-like instincts while his quick cuts and subtle tempo changes shake man coverage. After the catch, he’s a load to bring down—lowering his pads to absorb contact or juking defenders in space. However, his blocking clips show a willingness but not dominance; he struggles to sustain blocks against bigger opponents and often relies on angles rather than power.

Fannin profiles as a “move” tight end or H-back rather than a classic Y-tight end. His skill set aligns with modern NFL trends favoring pass-catching threats who can flex into the slot or split out wide. Think a less polished Dalton Kincaid or a lighter Mark Andrews—players who win with route nuance and YAC ability over brute strength. He’s unlikely to be an every-down player early due to blocking limitations, but he could become a matchup nightmare in the right system (e.g., Chiefs, 49ers). Expect him to start as a TE2 with WR3-level receiving upside, potentially growing into a starter if he adds mass and refines his craft.

Round Grade: 4th Round

Stats

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