Gunnar Helm

Career StatsC+

Year	Team	GP	Rec	Yards	TD
Career		16	44	357	2
2025		16	44	357	2

Updated Jun 27, 2026

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

Gunnar Helm's Contract Value Index lands at B-, putting the deal in a defined slice of comparable signings. His rookie scale contract carries a $1.29M AAV across four years—a standard allocation for a fourth-round pick that aligns precisely with NFL draft economics—but the B- CVI reflects the tension between his modest 2025 production (357 receiving yards across 16 games) and the considerable media optimism surrounding his second-year potential. The tight end market rewards both immediate production and athletic upside, and Helm's profile skews decidedly toward the latter; his C performance grade from year one tells a story of a young player still developing, yet the B sentiment grade and consistent narrative framing around his "primed for breakout" trajectory suggest the market believes his best football lies ahead. At 23 years old in his rookie season, Helm occupies exactly the stage where modest production need not doom contract value—first-year tight ends routinely take time to develop chemistry and situational understanding—and the Titans' recent addition of a complementary tight end (Jaren Kanak) signals organizational confidence in Helm's long-term role rather than replacement anxiety. The four-year rookie deal itself carries minimal cap burden and zero dead-money risk, making this a low-pressure contract that allows the franchise flexibility to evaluate his trajectory without financial penalty. His media positioning as an ascending talent with legitimate athletic comparisons and a made-for-TV first touchdown moment reinforces the B- grade as fair value: solid youth investment with defined upside, but production still to prove.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the B band — a quick read on where Gunnar's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Gunnar Helm is a 23-year-old rookie tight end for the Tennessee Titans still establishing his foundational role in the NFL. Through 16 career games, he grades out at C+, a respectable early-career floor that suggests functional competence without explosive production or immediate impact. For a first-year pass-catcher at the position, this trajectory sits squarely within developmental expectations, though the downward trend to a C- this season warrants monitoring as he enters his second year of professional football. Helm's receiving efficiency presents a mixed profile. He averages 8.11 yards per reception, slightly below the NFL average of 9.19, indicating he's gaining modest yardage on catch opportunities—a reasonable baseline for a young tight end learning NFL spacing and timing. However, his 22.3 receiving yards per game ranks above the league average of 10.67, suggesting the Titans are scheming him into advantageous positions and sustaining involvement. His touchdown production of 0.13 per game matches the NFL average exactly, showing he's converting opportunities at a league-standard rate rather than creating splash plays. The primary concern is consistency. Helm's early-season production dipped noticeably, and his yards per reception lag slightly against NFL benchmarks—hallmarks of a tight end still calibrating route precision and contested-catch ability against NFL-caliber coverage. Moving forward, his ceiling depends on whether he can tighten efficiency metrics and establish himself as a reliable red-zone target. If the Titans maintain offensive volume and he sharpens technical execution, Helm has a pathway to becoming a complementary starter by year two.

How Gunnar Compares at the Position

Gunnar Helm ranks 58th of 164 graded tight ends by performance. That slots Gunnar between Tommy Tremble (C+) just ahead and Mo Alie-cox (C) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Gunnar Helm enters 2026 as a second-year tight end with modest career statistics but notably improved media perception following a strong Year 1 trajectory. The five recent headlines reflect a coordinated narrative shift: national media outlets are now recognizing his fit within Tennessee's heavy personnel scheme and his partnership with Daniel Bellinger as a strategic asset for QB Cam Ward. Coverage emphasizes earned opportunity rather than hype, with Helm framed as a player who "takes nothing for granted" — a tone that suggests respect for his work ethic and potential rather than inflated expectations. While he remains a role player by career achievement standards, the consistency of positive coverage and his integration into a modern NFL offensive system has elevated him from anonymity to a player generating legitimate national interest. Perception is cautiously optimistic: Helm is viewed as a legitimate contributor with upside, not a breakout star, but the trajectory and media consensus suggest he has earned credibility heading into a pivotal second season.