When the Chicago Bears snagged Colston Loveland with the tenth pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, some eyebrows were raised. Loveland's college performance wasn't exactly lighting up the charts, and many had their eyes on Tyler Warren instead. Fast forward to the latter half of the 2025 season, and it's clear that the Bears made a savvy choice.
Pro Football Focus (PFF) has thrown its weight behind this sentiment, not just naming Loveland the top rookie tight end, but ranking him among the elite at his position. In fact, Loveland landed as the third-best tight end across the NFL according to their metrics.
Colston Loveland: Rising Star Among NFL Tight Ends
PFF's grading can sometimes raise questions, as evidenced by Dalton Kincaid and Jackson Hawes of the Buffalo Bills securing the second and fourth spots. The Bills have crafted roles that play to each player's strengths, boosting their grades without stretching their limits. It's a strategic masterclass, but it doesn't diminish Loveland's all-around prowess.
Rounding out the top five with George Kittle and Sam LaPorta, Loveland's versatility shines. He excels in all facets of the tight end role, making him a formidable asset on the field.
With Kittle nursing injuries and Travis Kelce contemplating retirement, the NFL is poised for a new era of tight ends. Considering factors like age and health, names like Trey McBride, Brock Bowers, Loveland, Warren, LaPorta, and Tucker Kraft emerge as the future cornerstones. These players are dual threats, capable of both catching passes and blocking effectively.
Loveland might not have been the first tight end off the board, but he certainly wouldn't be the sixth in a do-over. He's positioned himself as one of the NFL's premier tight ends, the kind of player any team would be eager to build around.