2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Colston Loveland

Strengths:

• Rare Physical Traits: Long, springy frame with explosive athleticism and impressive contact balance.
• Fluid Athleticism: Loose hips that flip quickly through routes and make people miss in space. He shows off sudden change of direction ability.
• Moldable Frame: A bendy, flexible frame that can go up and get it in jump ball situations with room to add mass.
• Willing Blocker: Shows more advanced hand usage as a blocker than most college tight ends, with a good understanding of leverage.
• Has that Dog in him: No quit as a receiver or as a blocker. Has a fiery play demeanor and thoroughly believes he can block anyone.

Weaknesses:

• Underweight: Has a thin, wiry frame that gets pushed around when he doesn't make the first significant contact.
• Hyper-Aggressive: Over-eager to lunge into defenders as a blocker, getting off balance and landing in the dirt.
• Limited Route Tree: Route running was limited in College. He will need to learn more details about the route running at the NFL level.
• Lapses in Awareness: There are occasional issues with focus drops, and play awareness wanes in moments, most noticeably during the scramble drill.

Final Thoughts & Bears Fit for Colston Loveland:

Colston Loveland loves football. I have zero doubts about that. He relishes contact and dreams about putting opponents in the dirt. His towering frame, with room to add mass and high-end athletic traits, also helps his case. There are many reasons to love his tape.

As a receiver, Loveland was the primary weapon for Michigan's offense in 2024, leading the team in receptions, yards, and touchdowns despite missing time due to injuries. On the tape, you see a long, explosive athlete with the vertical ability to get up the seam and fluid athleticism to make defenders miss. He did not run an extensive route tree at Michigan. Still, he shows fluid athleticism to run a variety of route concepts.

As a blocker, his PFF grade does not do him justice. Loveland is an animal in the trenches. He combines grit and "want to" with length and a strong understanding of leverage to do his job. However, Loveland is underweight at 245 pounds, which takes a toll. There are moments when he will lunge towards defenders and miss entirely, and others when he is simply overpowered. He has a moldable frame that can support more weight, which he must grow into at the NFL level. Until then, he is best served in a move tight end role.

Loveland would be an ideal match for the Bears to pair with Cole Kmet in Ben Johnson's offense. Johnson loved to use 12 personnel in Detroit, and Loveland would be a dream due to his grit, willingness as a blocker, and ability to make defenses pay for cheating up on the run. However, Loveland may be gone before pick 39. If the Bears trade back from pick 10 or up from 39, they have a shot at Loveland. However, with pressing needs on the offensive and defensive lines, there is not a strong case to be made for Loveland.

Ceiling: George Kittle

Floor: Tyler Eifert