Travis Kelce’s name is already cemented in NFL history, but how did he stack up as a draft prospect? The 2013 NFL Combine didn’t give him the chance to showcase his athleticism due to a sports hernia, but his 4.61-second 40-yard dash at Cincinnati’s Pro Day proved he had the speed to dominate at the tight end position.
Fast forward to 2025, and a new wave of tight ends is trying to make their mark at the NFL Combine. Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson has openly studied Kelce’s game, and his combine numbers suggest he could be one of the top tight ends in this draft class. But does he, or anyone else from this year’s group, match what Kelce brought to the table?
Let’s break down Kelce’s combine results, compare them to this year’s top tight ends, and see if the 2025 draft class has anyone who can follow in his footsteps.
Travis Kelce entered the 2013 NFL Draft as one of the top tight end prospects out of Cincinnati. At 6’5″ and 255 pounds, he had the size and athleticism to make an impact at the next level. However, a sports hernia kept him from participating in any drills at the NFL Combine. He had to wait until his pro day to showcase his speed.
Kelce ran a 4.61-second 40-yard dash at his Cincinnati pro day, a solid time for his size. For comparison, Rob Gronkowski, another dominant tight end, ran a 4.68-second 40-yard dash at the 2010 NFL Combine. While Kelce was slightly faster, both players relied more on their route running, football IQ, and physicality rather than straight-line speed.
Here’s how Kelce’s Pro Day numbers stacked up against other tight ends:
Kelce’s athleticism was evident in his performance, ranking among the top tight ends in his class. His Relative Athletic Score (RAS) was 9.27, placing him in elite company. The 2025 NFL Draft class is looking to follow in his footsteps, but the bar remains high.
The tight ends at the 2025 NFL Combine had their moment on Friday, with several prospects putting up standout performances. Among them was Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson, who made it clear he studies Kelce’s game closely.
“I would say [Chiefs TE] Travis Kelce is a big one for me because I feel like I have a similar wiggle at the top of my routes that he does,” Ferguson said. “He’s just so creative and does so much after the catch, I really strive to watch a lot of his film.”
Ferguson backed up his words with an impressive showing, running a 4.63-second 40-yard dash and recording a 39-inch vertical jump, the highest among tight ends. His 10-foot-2 broad jump ranked second in his group, proving his explosiveness.
Here’s how the top tight end prospects performed at the 2025 NFL Combine:
| Player | Height | Weight | 40-Yard Dash | 10-Yard Split | Vertical Jump | Broad Jump |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terrance Ferguson (Oregon) | 6’5″ | 247 lbs | 4.63 sec | 1.55 sec | 39 inches | 10’2″ |
| Harold Fannin Jr. (Bowling Green) | 6’3″ | 241 lbs | 4.71 sec | 1.56 sec | — | 9’10” |
| Gunnar Helm (Texas) | 6’5″ | 241 lbs | 4.84 sec | 1.69 sec | 30 inches | — |
| Thomas Fidone (Nebraska) | 6’5″ | 243 lbs | 4.74 sec | — | — | — |
One name missing from the on-field workouts was Michigan’s Colston Loveland, who, along with Miami’s Elijah Arroyo and Penn State’s Tyler Warren, did not participate in the drills. Their absence opened the door for other prospects to make a case for themselves.
LSU’s Mason Taylor, son of Hall of Famer Jason Taylor, also turned heads with his performance in drills, despite not running the 40-yard dash. Oronde Gadsden II (Syracuse), known for his pass-catching ability, did not disappoint in route-running drills.
Kelce’s 4.61-second 40-yard dash remains faster than most tight ends entering the league. Of the top prospects in 2025, only Terrance Ferguson (4.63 seconds) came close.
In terms of explosiveness, Ferguson’s 39-inch vertical and 10’2″ broad jump are in the same range as Kelce’s pro day numbers (35-inch vertical, 10’4″ broad jump). However, Ferguson’s game is still developing, and comparing him to Kelce at this stage is a stretch.
Outside of Ferguson, the tight end group has some intriguing names, but none seem to match Kelce’s combination of speed, size, and playmaking ability. The biggest takeaway from this year’s combine is that while the class is strong, finding another Travis Kelce-level talent is rare.
With Kelce entering what is expected to be his final NFL season, the next wave of tight ends will have to prove they can fill the void. So far, the 2025 class has talent, but no one has fully measured up to the standard Kelce has set.
Read More: Nick Emmanwori’s 40-Time Better Than the Likes of Jefferson, Pickens and Lamb at the NFL Combine!
Image: Imagn Images
NFL 
