Grading the Pick: TE Colston Loveland

Tanner Pearson - USA Today Sports

Dustin Riese - Senior Writer - 4 hours ago

When you look at how the first round of the 2025 NFL began to unfold, it was clear that the Bears' draft board was going to be wide open, as they had plenty of options to choose from. Guys like Kelvin Banks Jr. were still available to shore up their offensive line, as were Tyler Warren, Colston Loveland, and tons of talented defensive players who would've made an impact on this team.

With Ben Johnson as their new head coach, everyone knew the Bears would target another offensive player in the first round as they tried to create one of the more diverse offenses in the game. Ashton Jeanty was the name the Bears really wanted, but after failing to make a trade to move up, Chicago had to turn their attention to their backup plan.

However, backup plan or not, the Bears made an excellent pick, and although a bit of a surprise when you look at the need, there was a fit as Chicago made Michigan TE Colston Loveland the No. 10 overall selection. Considered the No. 1 or No. 2 tight end depending on who you ask, Loveland is someone the Bears fell in love with late in the scouting process as he has the potential to be a Trey McBridge type and could emerge as a legitimate offensive weapon this season.

The massive 6-6 248 248-pounder has the height you look for in an NFL tight end, but his overall size (weight) is a concern, as he could use about 10 more pounds on that frame. Playing in a run-first offense that tends to struggle on offense, Loveland made the most of the chances given to him as he was often the top receiving weapon on the Wolverines' offense. He finished the 2024 season with 56 catches, 582 yards, and five touchdowns, all career-high marks.

You then look at what he did for his career, and you can see the ability Loveland brings to the table as he finished with 117 catches, 1,366 yards, and 11 TDs during his tenure. That type of production is tough to come by for most college-level tight ends, but there were times when Loveland looked like a cheat code on the field, and that has to be something the Bears are hoping to get.

Pairing Loveland with Kmet would not only give the Bears a great 1,2 punch, but it would also have the potential to be one of the better tight end rooms in the NFL. Already an above-average athletic player, Loveland is one of those players who can become an elite pass-catching talent, which could transform any offense and take it to the next level.

NFL draft expert Lance Zierlein had this to add about Loveland.

"Colston plays the game like a big wideout, capable of separating from man coverage and making plays on all three levels," Zierlein said. "He has good play speed and runs a route tree full of branches, allowing creative play-callers to move him around as a mismatch option.”

That sounds like the perfect Ben Johnson-esque player, as he is a piece that could be moved all over the offense. He would be another weapon Caleb Williams would have at his disposal, and essentially, he could be the safety value that Keenan Allen was throughout the 2024 season. Even if this wasn't considered a true need, Loveland was one of the best remaining players on the board when the Bears picked, and there were far worse options Chicago could've done instead of taking him.

Pick Grade B+

I know what some of you may be thinking, a B+ grade for a first-round pick isn't what you were hoping for. This is the rare instance where the overall fit affects the grade as opposed ot the player themselves. If we are solely grading the player as a whole, Loveland would get an A- if not a straight A. He is the definition of a pass-catching tight end who is as athletic as they come. In nearly every other organization, he would have a chance to be the No. 1 tight end this season.

What hurt this grade was the overall need factor of the pick. Looking at the Bears' roster, yes, they did need a tight end, but they didn't need one this early in the draft. Offensive line help and another pass rusher were the main needs heading into the first round, but this was just how the first round unfolded. Regardless, this is a great pick and an excellent start for the Johnson era as head coach, as he will have tons of fun getting Loveland involved early and often.