Colston Loveland is one of the most dynamic tight ends in college football. Will that make the Michigan Wolverines junior one of the top offensive playmakers selected in the 2025 NFL Draft?
In declaring for the draft, Loveland will be one of the top tight ends in the draft. With his 6-foot-5, 245-pound frame built around elite athleticism at the position and an NFL ready catch radius, Loveland can go anywhere from mid-first round to an early Day 2 selection depending on how the draft flows as far as team needs.
Entering the season with high praise and a little Travis Kelce comparison, Loveland for the most part didn’t disappoint. With 56 receptions for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns, the Michigan tight end proved to be one of the top targets on the team despite the Wolverines woes at the QB position. Put him in an offense with a talented quarterback at the NFL level and sky’s the limit a tight end with the skillset to make a day 1 impact in the NFL, especially with moves like these:
Michigan breaking out the tricks! Big gain for Colston Loveland and the Wolverines. pic.twitter.com/vFUHG0ztXt
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) November 2, 2024
2025 NFL Draft: Colston Loveland is perfect for any scheme
Although Loveland didn’t have the season, he had in 2023 as far as statistics, he has proved to be a high-level prospect who steps it up in big games. Though 24 games at Michigan, the exciting tight end has 117 receptions for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns for a team that thrives on running the ball. On a team that wants to attack down the field, Loveland might just have his best days ahead of him, especially if he improves as a blocker.
Scheme wise, Loveland will make any NFL offense more explosive. Bleacher Report’s Dame Parson summed it up nicely in his scouting report of the Wolverines tight end.
“Loveland can operate as a traditional in-line and/or pass-catching move tight end in both the run and passing games,” Parson wrote, via B/R. “That versatility will help NFL offensive coordinators create a game plan for him within the offense.”
3 interesting NFL fits for Colston Loveland
Loveland should be a first round selection in the 2025 NFL Draft. How high he goes will depend on team needs and how well he performs at the NFL combine. As a natural pass catcher with the flexibility, length, and athleticism to cause mismatches in the passing game, Loveland can make a few offenses around the league that much more dynamic with him on board. Here are three NFL teams where Loveland could flourish.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: The Buccaneers main needs are on defense, but if the opportunity is there to take a pass-catching tight end like Loveland, why not make the offense more dynamic? In selecting a big target like Loveland, Tampa Bay not only gives Baker Mayfield another playmaker who can win battles for the ball against defenders, it could open the outside even more for a wide receiver like Mike Evans. He would also form a nice tight end tandem with Cade Otton who has been the Buccaneers top tight end.
Indianapolis Colts: As a currently positioned to draft in the middle of the first round, Loveland is a name the Colts will consider. As an offense with talent all over the field, the tight end position is the area where Indianapolis could use an upgrade. Loveland would be that and more. To help Anthony Richardson find more consistency and utilize his talent in the NFL, giving him an athletic big target like Loveland could spark some excitement to the offense and make the Colts a team to be reckoned with in the AFC South.
Denver Broncos: The Broncos offense has been soaring with Bo Nix finding his way in the NFL. With a balanced offense, adding a playmaking tight end to Sean Payton’s scheme will only make the Broncos more dangerous in 2025. With Loveland in the mix, the Broncos will have a tight end who can go up and get the ball with his size and athleticism and a player who could be a quick outlet for Nix and create after the catch. Imagine the AFC West with Kelce, Brock Bowers, and Loveland. May the team with the best tight end win!