Who Should I Start? Gunnar Helm or Elijah Arroyo

Wednesday, May 7, 3:12 PM

Tennessee Titans rookie wide receiver Elic Ayomanor and tight end Gunnar Helm were both fourth-round selections in the 2025 NFL Draft. While fourth-round picks are not guaranteed to make an impact right away, the Stanford and Texas products, respectively, "should have a path to contributing early," according to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler. Many draft analysts had a Round 2 or Round 3 grade on Ayomanor, who posted 1,844 yards and 12 touchdowns in two collegiate seasons. The Titans' wide receiver group behind Calvin Ridley and the aging Tyler Lockett is underwhelming, so don't be surprised if Ayomanor is starting at the X-WR spot early in his rookie campaign. Meanwhile, Chig Okonkwo is still slotted in as the starter at tight end, but Helm, who caught 60 passes and scored seven touchdowns last season, could eat into his snaps and become a factor in 12-personnel. Neither pass-catcher is likely to be a consistent fantasy producer in an offense led by rookie quarterback Cam Ward, but they should be monitored throughout the season as potential waiver wire targets in deeper setups.

Thursday, May 22, 3:46 PM

Seattle Seahawks rookie tight end Elijah Arroyo was the No. 50 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft after securing 35 receptions for 590 yards and seven touchdowns in his final campaign at Miami. The 22-year-old led the Hurricanes in yards per reception (16.9) while catching passes from Cam Ward. So far at OTAs, Seahawks brass is impressed with his ability and versatility. "This guy can run an extensive route tree," head coach Mike Macdonald said. "To have to account for a tight end body on the field and him also to be able to split out wide, do X receiver type of things, bigger body than we probably have right now on our roster, just provides a ton of value." While tight ends often take time to develop in the NFL, Arroyo could operate as a downfield threat for Sam Darnold. Wideouts Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp operate in the short to intermediate parts of the field, so there's room for Arroyo to make splash plays. Arroyo is unlikely to be a consistent fantasy producer in traditional formats, but he could be worth a late-round dart throw in best ball drafts.