There has been so much raving talks on Bowling Green's Harold Fannin Jr. and Penn State's Tyler Warren as the main options Denver could nab in the 1st round of the 2025 draft. One name I don't think was mentioned in any way, shape, or form...is Gunnar Helm.
So...what's the story with the 4-year starting TE for the Texas Longhorns?
Well...Denver fans are gonna love this about him. He's a hometown native from Englewood, CO (about 22 minutes from Empower Field) and played HS football at Cherry Creek HS. He was part of the Cherry Creek HS football teams that won back-to-back state titles and 23-straight wins over his final two seasons there. An All-State and All-Centennial League performer from the state of Colorado, including accolades of first-team 5A All-State by the Colorado High School Activities Association in 2020, a first-team All-Centennial League selection, and a Class 5A runner-up in 2018.
Gunnar Helm has not missed any games to this point of his 4-year career. Prior before his senior year, he only racked up 236 yards with 2 TDs in his 3 years with the Longhorns. In what is likely his final year with UT, he's put up 419 yards and 2 TDs.
These are the NFL Draft Buzz stats on Gunnar to this point:
So...with that out of the way, what are some of the things he's good at and not good at? Here's the pros and cons with him (on NFL Draft Buzz):
+ Impressive route-running skills, particularly on deep routes, where he creates separation and threatens defenses vertically.
+ Solid after-the-catch ability, showing toughness and elusiveness to gain extra yards.
+ Exceptional hands, displaying a natural ability to pluck the ball out of the air with consistency and reliability.
- The 4.75 40-time isn't that great. That's slower than Greg Dulcich.
- Could struggle to create immediate separation against NFL-caliber linebackers and safeties in man coverage.
- Blocking technique could use some refinement.
Gunnar Helm, because of his not-so-great 40-time speed and lackluster blocking ability, isn't likely gonna be seen as a 1st round pick. NFL Draft Buzz has him as a 5th round pick. The way I kind of see it, he looks the part of either a 3rd or a 4th round pick (depending on how the rest of the season plays out).
The production from one season to the next feels concerning on how he adapts in the pros. In his freshman year, he didn't record anything that season as he was mostly used on ST for preparing FGs despite being in all 12 games at the time. In his sophomore year, he played all 13 games, but only started in 4 of the games. In his junior year, he played all 14 games with 6 starts. The growth from his freshman season to his senior season is there...the question is...if the NFL might be too big of a curveball for him to adapt into.
How would you guys view Gunnar Helm in this position? Should he be worth considering as an option for Denver to grab in the draft? Or should the main focus for the Denver FO shift to HFJ/TW entering the 2025 draft?