The Chicago Bears went against the grain, selecting tight end Colston Loveland with the No. 10 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many had them figured as the perfect landing spot for a running back in the class.
Loveland was widely regarded as the top tight end in the class. He profiles as a mismatch-exploiting weapon for new Bears head coach Ben Johnson. He should also be a safety valve for second-year quarterback Caleb Williams.
Former NFL scout Bucky Brooks believes Loveland and the Bears are a “perfect” fit.
Bears TE Colston Loveland a ‘Perfect Fit’: Ex-NFL Scout
Colston Loveland Could ‘Dominate’ in Ben Johnson’s Offense
“The comparisons to Lions tight end Sam LaPorta might have convinced head coach Ben Johnson to take the Michigan standout as the first pick of his tenure. Loveland’s superb ball skills, route-running ability and positional flexibility make him an interesting chess piece for the Bears to utilize,” Brooks wrote on May 2.
“With Loveland poised to dominate between the hashes on various in-breaking routes at intermediate range, Chicago has surrounded former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams with enough firepower to unlock his immense talent and potentially dominate in his second season.”
Loveland caught 56 passes for 582 yards and a career-high 5 touchdowns for the Michigan Wolverines in 2024. He posted a 45-649-4 line and won a championship in 2023. He is expected to see a host of opportunities as a rookie.
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak called the Bears’ head coach and Loveland a “match made in heaven.”
Coaches Get Honest About Colston Loveland
Johnson has not shied away from the comparisons to LaPorta for Loveland after the Bears drafted the latter. He has, however, been clear that it is about more than just the actual skill.
“I do see a lot of comparisons to LaPorta, but that’s not just on the field. That was off the field as well. Because with LaPorta, the stage was never too big or too bright. I felt that same thing with Colston the first time I met him. He doesn’t bat an eye. He performs at a high level,” Johnson told reporters on April 26.
“As we talk about where we’re going as an organization, and we’re going to be playing in these big games with the bright lights, we need guys that are going to rise up to the occasion, and he’s going to do that for us.”
Loveland faced questions about his blocking before the Bears drafted him. His former college coach, Sherrone Moore, acknowledged that Loveland’s greatest impact will come in the passing game. The youngster is no slouch as a blocker either, though.
“You look at what we did in ‘23, we’re in 13 personnel a lot of games, and he’s playing in the backfield, he’s playing at the point of attack. I think he’s an extremely willing blocker. He’s not the 270-pound, big, “Ys” [tight ends] that are in the NFL, or offensive alignment. But he’s going to put his face in there, he’s going to do the dirty work, he’s going to be as physical as he can,” Moore told Clocker Sports in April.
“Where he excels is in the pass game. And he has the ability to block, and he’ll be able to do that in the NFL and challenge people that way. But then, he’ll excel in the passing game.”