Bengals' recent NFL Draft tradition stays alive and well in way-too-early 2025 mock draft
The ascension of Michigan football under Jim Harbaugh caught the attention of the Cincinnati Bengals. Every one of Cincy's NFL Draft classes since 2021 has featured a former Wolverine recruited by Harbaugh. That's Chris Evans, Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Brad Robbins, Kris Jenkins, and Erick All for those keeping score at home.Harbaugh is no […]
The ascension of Michigan football under Jim Harbaugh caught the attention of the Cincinnati Bengals.
Every one of Cincy's NFL Draft classes since 2021 has featured a former Wolverine recruited by Harbaugh. That's Chris Evans, Dax Hill, DJ Turner II, Brad Robbins, Kris Jenkins, and Erick All for those keeping score at home.
Harbaugh is no longer the coach at Michigan, but their 2024 roster is still mostly comprised of his recruits. Who's to say the Bengals don't go back to that well one more time in next year's draft?
That's what A to Z Sports' Travis May predicts in his second way-too-early 2025 NFL Mock Draft. May has the Bengals drafting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland, the first tight end off the board with the 27th pick in the first round.
Judging by how productive Loveland was last year in Michigan's offense, it wouldn't be shocking to see Loveland become a first-round pick in a year's time.
"There's virtually no debate. Colston Loveland is the most dynamic pro-ready tight end returning to college football this fall. He averaged about two full yards per team pass attempt, which was more than Brock Bowers last season. He accounted for over 20% of the Michigan receiving offense last year, and that number might be even higher in 2024. Loveland's raw totals might be lower with J.J. McCarthy now departed for the NFL, but his key rate stats and athletic profile will be near perfection. The Bengals get their tight end of the future here (Mike Gesicki is just on a one-year deal)."
Loveland's first year at Michigan coincided with All's last year. All suffered a season-ending spinal injury three games into the 2022 season, which helped thrust Loveland into a larger role as a true freshman. When All decided to transfer to Iowa after the season, Loveland became the easy choice to become the starter as a former four-star recruit.
Reuniting the two in Cincinnati would truly elevate the Bengals' tight end room into a full-blown strength. The position is set for this year, but with Mike Gesicki and Tanner Hudson only under contract for this season, finding another long-term option in 2025 will be a need.
How Michigan's program adapts to life post-Harbaugh will be fascinating to watch. The Bengals surely valued their players gaining big-game experience and top-notch athletic training.
Loveland, however, is on track to being a prospect the Bengals would be interested in no matter how good his team is.
3 overreactions to the Cincinnati Bengals’ 2024 NFL Draft class
The Bengals hope to come away with multiple quality starters from this draft.
