Colston Loveland NFL Draft 2025: Scouting Report for Michigan TE

HEIGHT: 6'5"

WEIGHT: 245

POSITIVES

— Plus-level athlete for his size, good post-catch burst and acceleration.

— Outstanding catch radius to attack the ball at its highest point.

— Good route runner from a multiple alignments.

— Vertical speed to threaten the seam off play-action.

NEGATIVES

— Concentration drops from the 2023 season.

— Working on maintaining proper leverage and pad-level in the run game.

— Continuing to mature and grow into his body, adding muscle to his frame.

NOTES

— Born April 9, 2004

— 4-star recruit in the 2022 class, per 247Sports

— 2022 Offensive and Co-Special Teams Rookie of the Year

— 2023 First-Team All-Big Ten

— Former HS basketball player with a 79-inch wingspan

OVERALL

Colston Loveland is an athletically gifted tight end with high-end talent and potential at the next level.

Tight ends are the biggest mismatch creators in the NFL today. Colston Loveland fits the mold incredibly well. At his height and weight, Loveland is a quick-footed and athletic mover. He can snap in and out of his breaks with quickness and suddenness to separate from coverage on short routes. He can run quick choice/option routes due to his blend of agility and football IQ. He has great ball skills to give defenses trouble in the red zone. His basketball background is displayed when high-pointing passes like going up for a rebound.

Loveland can operate as a traditional in-line and/or the pass-catching move tight end in both the run and passing games. That versatility will help him NFL offensive coordinators create a game plan for him within the offense. Loveland succeeds in running routes from multiple alignments and will put defenses in a bind, determining what type of defender should handle him as their assignment. Linebackers and nickel corners are too small to combat with him at the catch point, while outside cornerbacks covering creates a mismatch elsewhere.

He is a willing and effective run blocker. Loveland can come into an offense and help create soft edges for the running backs to attack in the wide zone game. He does a good job working off the line of scrimmage into the second level of the defense and on the perimeter to defensive backs.

However, Loveland is a tall and big-framed prospect. His pad level in the run game can be a concern. Dropping his hips and anchoring will assist him in owning the point of attack. Loveland is still a young player who is growing into his frame. Adding more muscle and weight will only increase his run-blocking and play strength after the catch in the passing game. Continuing to clean up concentration drops is important for his ability to earn the trust of NFL coaches and quarterbacks.

Overall, Colston Loveland is a natural pass catcher and playmaker at the tight end position. His athleticism, change of direction, and movement skills are impressive. He suffers from being in run-first offenses with incomplete quarterback play. His best football is ahead of him, and he expects to be a better pro than a college player.

GRADE: 8.1 (Year 1 Starter — Late 1st Round)

OVERALL RANK: 13

POSITION RANK: TE1

PRO COMPARISON: Tyler Eifert

Written by B/R NFL Scout Dame Parson

Prospect workout numbers, measurables (40-yard dash, hand size, etc.) and 2024 statistics will be added at a later date.