NFL Draft Profile: Syracuse TE Oronde Gadsden II

Gadsden is a receiver to tight end convert who could be an intriguing day 3 option for the Broncos.

One prospect who may interest the Denver Broncos on day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft is Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II. He is a 6’5”, 243-pound tight end who is one of the more intriguing late-round receiving threats at the position. The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, has Gadsden II ranked as his 8th-best tight end in the draft and grades him as a 4th-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Gadsden II played a total of four seasons at Syracuse and was an impactful player for them during that span. During his four seasons, Gadsden II appeared in 36 games, which included 28 starts and totaled 143 receptions for 1,994 yards and 14 touchdowns. This past year, he played and started in 13 games and totaled 73 receptions for 934 yards and 7 touchdowns.

Player Profile

Oronde Gadsden II | Tight End | Syracuse

• Height: 6’5”
• Weight: 241 pounds
• Hands: 10”
• Arm Length: 33 5/8 inches
• Wingspan: 83 1/8 inches
• Age: 21 years old
• 40-Yard Dash: 4.65 seconds
• 10-Yard Split: 1.62 seconds
• Vertical Jump: 34.5 inches
• Broad Jump: 9’9”
• Bench Press: 19 reps

Film Room

Scouting Report

Strengths

• Big/Tall target with a large catch radius
• Long arms/wingspan
• Athletic and is a former wide receiver converting to tight end
• Attacks the ball in the air and showcases his receiver background
• Strong and reliable hands
• High-level body control and can adjust to make tough catches
• Uses his size and length to block out defenders and make contested catches
• Runs routes like a big wide receiver
• Has some YAC potential due to his athleticism
• Profiles as a big slot and has some ‘Joker’ traits
• Matchup problem for linebackers and safeties
• Bloodlines: His father is Oronde Gadsden, who played receiver for the Miami Dolphins from 1998 through 2003

Weaknesses

• Added weight but has a lean frame and looks more like a receiver than a tight end
• While a willing blocker in space, he rarely played in-line and doesn’t have the body type of strength to do so in the NFL right now
• Will not be a scheme fit for all teams
• Plays more like a receiver than a tight end

Oronde Gadsden II RAS

What other analysts are saying about Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II

The Athletic’s lead draft analyst, Dane Brugler, on TE Oronde Gadsden II

A two-year starter at Syracuse, Gadsden was a joker tight end in offensive coordinator Jeff Nixon’s pro-spread system (58.3 percent of his snaps aligned in the slot, 32.6 percent inline, 8.7 percent wide in 2024). A wide receiver when he enrolled, Gadsden transitioned to a hybrid tight end role as a sophomore and had the two most productive seasons (2022, 2024) for a tight end in school history (with a season-ending injury in between, in 2023). Like his father, who played in the NFL for several seasons,

Gadsden is the type of target who doesn’t require his quarterback to be perfect because of the way he uses his frame, focus, and long arms to pull in throws. Though he has functional athleticism as a route runner, his setup and pacing are still in the developmental phase. I was expecting more after the catch, too (just 27.5 percent of his yards in 2024 came with the ball in his hands, one of the lowest rates in the FBS). As a blocker, he gives quality effort and can get in the way, but he won’t consistently move defenders at the point of attack in the run game. Overall, Gadsden is an athletic pass catcher with the adjustment skills and catch radius to be a possession target in an NFL offense, although his average frame and marginal ability to sustain blocks create questions about his role. He projects best as an F tight end who can be flexed across the formation and should continue to get better.

Final Thoughts

If Evan Engram makes sense for the Broncos, then Syracuse tight end Oronde Gadsden II makes sense for the Broncos. Like Engram, he is a big-slot move tight end who will be used as a receiving threat/’Joker’ rather than a traditional in-line tight end.

The Broncos signed Engram to a two-year deal during free agency, but he is a 30-year-old tight end coming off a shoulder injury. Having a young developmental option behind him would make sense. It would also give the Broncos another big and athletic target in the passing game to use in certain situations.

He will likely go on early day 3 and could be an intriguing under-the-radar addition to the Broncos’ tight end room. If the Broncos decide to go that route, he’s one of my favorite day 3 tight end options for them and would be thrilled if they drafted him.