Gunnar Helm TE Texas | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Gunnar Helm TE Texas
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
ROLE: Inline Blocking TE | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 09/30/2024 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.75 seconds (57%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Age: 22.1 DOB: 09/06/2002 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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ROLE: Inline Blocking TE | |
Last Updated: 09/30/2024 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.75 seconds (57%*) | |
Age: 22.1 DOB: 09/06/2002 | |
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Overall Rating: | 82.0 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Defense player has faced | ||
Defense Rating: |
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77% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
QB Rating When targeted: | 124.6 | |
Hands: |
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92% |
Short Receiving: |
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79% |
Intermediate Routes: |
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84% |
Deep Threat: |
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86% |
Blocking: |
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57% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
6th
Overall Rank:
#175
Position rank:
#5
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College Games: 34 College Snaps: 1278 | ||
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Jared Wiley - TCU |
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81% |
Cade Stover - Ohio State |
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75% |
Isaiah Likely - Coastal Carolina |
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75% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Gunnar Helm, a 6'5", 238-pound tight end from Texas, has made significant strides during his collegiate career. The Cherry Creek, Colorado native arrived in Austin as a three-star recruit and quickly carved out a role in the Longhorns' offense. Helm's journey from a primarily blocking tight end to a versatile offensive weapon has been marked by steady improvement and key performances.In his junior year, Helm earned honorable mention All-Big 12 honors, appearing in all 14 games with six starts. He finished the season with 14 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns. His standout performance came against rival Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, where he set career highs with four receptions for 67 yards and his first career touchdown. As a senior, Helm elevated his game further, highlighted by a breakout performance against No. 10 Michigan, where he led the team with seven receptions for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Off the field, Helm demonstrated a commitment to academic excellence. He was a five-time member of the Big 12 Commissioner's Honor Roll and earned Academic All-Big 12 honors multiple times, showcasing the discipline and work ethic that NFL teams value in prospects.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Exceptional hands, displaying a natural ability to pluck the ball out of the air with consistency and reliability
- Impressive route-running skills, particularly on deep routes, where he creates separation and threatens defenses vertically
- Versatile alignment options, capable of lining up inline, in the slot, or out wide, providing offensive coordinators with scheme flexibility
- Excellent size and frame at 6'5", presenting a large target for quarterbacks, especially in red zone situations
- Demonstrates good body control and adjustment skills when tracking the ball in the air
- Solid after-the-catch ability, showing toughness and elusiveness to gain extra yards
- Film junkie with a nose for defensive tendencies; consistently finds openings in zone coverage
- Coachable player with a strong work ethic, as evidenced by his steady improvement throughout his college career
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Blocking technique needs refinement, particularly in sustaining blocks against stronger defenders at the point of attack
- Lacks elite athleticism and top-end speed for the position, which may limit his big-play potential at the next level
- Could improve play strength to become more effective in contested catch situations and as an in-line blocker
- Production was somewhat limited until his senior year, raising questions about his consistency and development curve
- May struggle to create immediate separation against NFL-caliber linebackers and safeties in man coverage
Scouting Report: Summary
Gunnar Helm fits as a versatile "Y" tight end in the NFL with the potential to contribute in multiple facets of the offense. His reliable hands and route-running prowess make him an attractive option in the passing game, particularly in short to intermediate ranges. Helm's ability to threaten defenses vertically adds a valuable dimension to his skill set, allowing offensive coordinators to create mismatches.While Helm's blocking needs improvement, his frame and willingness to engage suggest that with proper coaching, he could develop into a solid contributor in the run game. His intelligence and adaptability bode well for his ability to grasp complex NFL offenses and adjust to the speed of the professional game.
Teams looking for a well-rounded tight end with upside in the passing game will find Helm an intriguing mid-round prospect. His combination of size, hands, and route-running ability gives him the potential to develop into a reliable target for NFL quarterbacks, particularly in two-tight end sets or as a move tight end in creative offensive schemes. With continued development in his blocking and overall play strength, Helm could evolve into a valuable and versatile offensive weapon at the next level.
How other scouting services rate Gunnar Helm (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
124.0
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
7.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.