Chiefs to host record-breaking tight end prospect on top-30 visit as twilight of Travis Kelce's NFL career nears
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting a closer look at the most productive tight end of the 2025 NFL draft class. Bowling Green State University tight end Harold Fannin Jr. recently revealed to Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show that he has an upcoming pre-draft visit with four teams, including the Denver Broncos, […]
The Kansas City Chiefs are getting a closer look at the most productive tight end of the 2025 NFL draft class.
Bowling Green State University tight end Harold Fannin Jr. recently revealed to Kay Adams on the Up & Adams Show that he has an upcoming pre-draft visit with four teams, including the Denver Broncos, the Detroit Lions, the Cleveland Browns, and the Chiefs.
Fannin Jr. set 10 FBS records for tight ends during the 2024 college football season, including most receiving yards (1,555), receptions (117), receiving yards per game (119.615), and receptions per game (9). He was also named MVP of the 2024 68 Ventures Bowl after setting records for receiving yards (213) and receptions (17) by a tight end. He became Bowling Green's first-ever consensus All-American in 2024, setting 21 program records for the Falcons. Despite his historic run of success, Penn State's Tyler Warren ousted him as the 2024 John Mackey Award winner, denoting college football's most outstanding tight end.
Fannin Jr. was 6 feet 3 inches and 241 pounds at the 2025 NFL Scouting Combine, which is on the smaller side for an NFL tight end. He also came in slightly less athletic than expected. He posted 22 repetitions of 225 on the bench press, a 34-inch vertical jump, a 118-inch broad jump, a 4.71s 40-yard dash, a 4.39s short shuttle, and a 6.97s three-cone.
What is a top-30 visit?
A top-30 visit is one of the 30 prospect visits teams are allotted during the pre-draft phase each year.
The Chiefs use these in various ways, hosting players who could be potential first-round picks to those who may not be selected. While there won't be any on-field workouts, prospects will hold meetings with the coaching staff for film reviews, conduct physical examinations with team doctors, tour the facilities, and generally get a taste of life in the NFL in Kansas City.
Some players they've selected in the NFL draft who have had one of these visits include Kingsley Suamataia, Rashee Rice, BJ Thompson, Jaylen Watson, Joshua Williams, Nick Bolton, and Juan Thornhill.
How does Bowling Green TE Harold Fannin Jr. fit with the Chiefs?
Travis Kelce is returning for the 2025 NFL season, but we know he can't play forever. There is no denying that he was considering retirement this offseason and that his contract expires in 2026. I believe that 2025 will be Kelce's last ride with Kansas City, so to see them think about the future of the tight end position isn't too surprising.
Fannin Jr.'s linear explosiveness and yard-after-catch ability must appeal to the Chiefs. He's also got great hands, which is never a bad thing. Those traits are not just apparent against lesser competition either. He had 11 receptions for 137 yards and a touchdown against Penn State with a quality pass-blocking rep against projected top-3 draft pick Abdul Carter. He also had eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown against Texas A&M last season.
He isn't a 1-to-1 replacement for Kelce, as he'd likely play more of an H-back role in Kansas City. Fannin Jr. was often moved around the formation at BGSU, even playing outside receiver. Go routes were his highest percentage of routes run in 2024, followed closely by hitches and overs. I could see him playing the big slot role in Kansas City, in addition to some in-line, wing, and backfield looks.
I'm not as low on him as a blocker as others are. I think he's scrappy enough to have some genuine value to an NFL team. I'd be lying if I said I didn't have reservations about his size, athleticism, and stiffness as a route runner. I could understand the vision if he were to land with the Chiefs in Round 3 or later.
Tracking all of the Kansas City Chiefs’ top-30 visits and prospect meetings ahead of the 2025 NFL draft in April
Every 2025 NFL draft prospect the Kansas City Chiefs have shown interest in.
