Three team fits for Miami (Fla.) TE Arroyo | 2025 NFL Draft film review

Former Miami Hurricanes tight end Elijah Arroyo has dealt with his share of career obstacles. Heading into last season, he had just 11 receptions through three seasons.

Not exactly what was expected from the former Independence High School (Tex.) standout.

Injury history

Arroyo could not seem to catch a break. First, he injured his knee as a sophomore and it forced him to miss the majority of the season. Then in 2023, he was in-and-out of the lineup due to complications from the injury. All told, he caught just one pass as a redshirt sophomore.

As he expressed on www.miamihurricanes.com last March, the frustration can only last as long as you allow it to:

“It was definitely frustrating,” Arroyo said during the spring practice session. “Just got to keep my head down, work, and control what I can control. … I feel great [now]. I feel like Elijah Arroyo.”

The knee injury reappeared during this year’s postseason. He injured it during the 2025 Senior Bowl and was unable to workout for teams at the 2025 NFL Combine.

Usage

The 2024 second-team All-ACC tight end was used in a variety of facets for the Hurricanes this past season (see video above). Often flexed in the slot, he routinely defeated safeties in pass coverage. He created mismatches up the seams of the field. In addition, he was used to block weak side edge defenders on many of the team’s inside zone run action.

During the 2025 Senior Bowl practices, he was one of the toughest one-on-one covers in attendance for the majority of the week.

Without question, Arroyo needs to improve markedly as a blocker to fulfill much of his vast pass receiving upside. At this point, inconsistent core strength has caused him to overrun some of his landmarks. Those landmarks have also eluded him as a route-runner, where he can sometimes be knocked off of his spots.

During Arroyo’s 2025 NFL Combine press conference, he noted both as areas which could potentially develop into strengths.

“I came into college not really knowing how to block,” Arroyo admitted. “So, I’ve developed a lot as a blocker. Details of my routes as well. I feel like when it comes to the pass game, I’m really like a big receiver out there. You can’t take that for granted.”

NFL Draft fits

Teams in the market for Arroyo ideally need a blocking tight end already on its roster. Thus, here are three teams who meet the criteria.

Denver Broncos (Round 3)

The Broncos could address this position earlier in the draft. As of press time, Adam Trautman and Lucas Krull are complements to the recently acquired Evan Engram. Players with injury histories typically fall in the draft, so could this be a spot where Arroyo grows into a role over the next year-and-a-half?

Indianapolis Colts (Round 3)

The Colts may attack the offensive line in the draft and have a couple of solid blocking tight ends currently on the roster (i.e. Drew Ogletree). Arroyo could create mismatches and serve as a receiving option in 11-personnel (3 WR, RB, TE) packages. The Colts could use another field-stretching safety-valve in the middle of the field for third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson.

Washington Commanders (Round 4)

In our video above, we listed Arroyo as a second-round talent. But in last year’s class, there were three tight ends taken in the first 82 selections. Many impressive tight ends in this year’s class may experience a similar fate. If Arroyo did slide to Round 4, this would be a luxury pick for the Commanders.

The team re-signed veteran tight ends Zach Ertz and John Bates this spring. Ertz signed a one-year deal and Bates re-signed for three years. Bates meets the aforementioned blocking criteria. Arroyo could learn from Ertz in Year One and possibly transition into his role by Year Two.

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