Bears go off everyone's board by gifting Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams a big-bodied threat in Colston Loveland to pair with Cole Kmet
It's official: The Chicago Bears have selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.Chicago sniffed around trading up from the 10th overall pick but opted to stay put with no deals materializing. In the end, the Bears still came away with a top offensive-weapon […]
It's official: The Chicago Bears have selected Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the 10th overall pick in the first-round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
Chicago sniffed around trading up from the 10th overall pick but opted to stay put with no deals materializing. In the end, the Bears still came away with a top offensive-weapon for new head coach Ben Johnson to scheme up in a versatile receiving threat who can be a massive vertical option for quarterback Caleb Williams.
Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren decision
Surprisingly, the Bears opted to go with Loveland over Tyler Warren, the versatile tight end out of Penn State. Multiple teams were split on which tight end would be the top ranked in the class but Ben Johnson clearly preferred one over the other.
With Ashton Jeanty and two tackles off the board, going the tight end route makes sense given the depth of the running back and defensive line class.
Loveland makes for an exciting vertical threat out of the slot for Williams to target in the passing game while adding in an extra factor in the run game as a blocker.
Colston Loveland now becomes Ben Johnson's new swiss-army knife, doesn't affect Cole Kmet's outlook
Colston Loveland can still be a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators. He has the ability to play in the slot, in-line, and even on the outside, making his fit with Johnson all the more interesting.
For those worried about Cole Kmet's 2025 outlook or future in Chicago after this pick, fret not. Few play-callers ran more 2-TE personnel than Johnson did last season as the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions. Having two threats at the position aids both the run and pass game giving the team additional blockers and big-bodied threats to target down the field.
Which means Kmet is still going to be a viable piece to this offense despite this selection. Kmet signed a 4-year, $50 million extension back in 2023 and Ben Johnson already sees him playing in a large role in this offense as well.
"I know that he can still make improvement as a run blocker. We've already had those conversations of what that could look like. But as a pass catcher, we're going to put him in a place where he can succeed," Johnson said about Kmet. "We might try to move him around to different spots: all the way outside the numbers to attached and everywhere in between. I'm excited about working with him. I know he's going to play a critical role in what we try to do this year."
Colston Loveland Scouting Report
Age: 21 (04/09/2004)
A to Z Sports Draft Projection: No. 17 overall, Round 1
Scouting Report: "Colston Loveland is likely the best receiving tight end in the entire 2025 NFL Draft class. He flashed special potential as a true freshman, but then broke out as the most important piece of the Michigan receiving offense catching 45 passes for 649 receiving yards and four touchdowns in 2023 as the Wolverines won a national championship. His final season was slightly less productive via raw volume stats, but Loveland accounted for 34% of Michigan's receiving production. In fact, he nearly outproduced the entire Michigan wide receiver room by himself last fall. He could still improve his blocking, but his ability to win from in-line tight end, slot, and out wide as a do-it-all offensive weapon makes him one of the most talented prospects in the class." – A to Z Sports' Travis May
Career Projection: Pro Bowl Potential
Final Word
Ultimately, this was Ben Johnson's call to make. Through the scouting process, he believed more in Loveland's fit in his scheme as a strong receiving option to help take Williams' game to the next level.
