Fannin was in Indianapolis last month for the NFL Scouting Combine, measuring 6-foot-3 and 241 pounds. During on-field drills, he posted a 4.71-second 40-yard dash, a 34-inch vertical jump, and a broad jump of 9 feet, 10 inches.
"The record-setting pass catcher sat on his numbers from the combine, but he looked good in position drills," Pauline wrote. "Only one pass thrown in his direction hit the turf, and it was more of an errant ball than a drop."
A dominant pass-catcher last season, Fannin hauled in 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns, earning first-team Associated Press All-American honors. He was also named MAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year. His receptions and receiving yards set single-season FBS records for a tight end.
"Enigmatic prospect featuring record-breaking single-season catch production despite a straight-legged playing style," draft analyst Lance Zierlein wrote in his NFL.com scouting report. "Fannin's lack of functional bend forces him on more linear tracks and cuts his route tree in half, but it doesn't keep him from getting around the field and through the pattern with good speed. Fannin's hands are automatic and he's a competitive runner after the catch, but he needs to prove he can beat tight press-man coverage."
Fannin earned a 95.9 offensive grade and a 96.4 receiving grade from Pro Football Focus last season, leading all collegiate pass-catchers. His 75.2 run-blocking grade was respectable, but his pass-blocking grade dropped significantly from 79.8 in 2023 to just 38.2 last season.
"He won't block much, but his ability to stretch the field from the slot and make the tough catches give him a shot as a potential TE2 with upside," Zierlein added.
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