Bears Spend Round 1 Pick on Colston Loveland

The Bears selected Michigan TE Colston Loveland with the No. 10 pick of the 2025 NFL Draft. Loveland didn’t get the same hype as Tyler Warren in the pre-draft process, but the gap between them isn’t big. Loveland broke out as a 19-year-old true sophomore in 2023, catching 45 balls for 649 yards and four TDs for the J.J. McCarthy-led Wolverines. Michigan’s passing game wasn’t nearly as productive without McCarthy last year, but Loveland still racked up 56 grabs for 582 yards and five TDs. He accounted for 38.6% of the team’s receiving yards and 45.5% of the TDs – beating Warren in both market-share categories. Loveland barely trailed Warren in Pro Football Focus receiving grade and yards per route, ranking top-five in the nation in both metrics. Loveland ran 48% of his routes from the slot over the last two seasons and projects in a similar role as a pro. He’s a fluid athlete with deft route-running skills and sticky hands. Coming from a pro-style offense, he’s a candidate to make an immediate impact. We’ll just need to keep an eye on the AC joint injury to Loveland’s right shoulder that required surgery in January. He’s expected to be cleared for training camp.
2025 Fantasy Football Impact
The Bears already have a starting-caliber TE in Cole Kmet, but Loveland brings the ability to move around the formation. He exits college with 317 career slot snaps, per PFF.
Loveland figures to soak up a good chunk of the 121 targets left behind by free agent Keenan Allen. It's reasonable to expect him to provide some spot-start TE1 value as a rookie.
Dynasty Impact
Loveland enters the NFL on the young side – he turned just 21 this month.
The Michigan standout will get a chance to develop alongside the ultra-talented Caleb Williams and offensive mastermind Ben Johnson. It's a strong long-term situation, despite Kmet's contract running through the 2027 season. Note that Chicago can move on from his deal -- with a reduced cap hit -- next offseason.