2025 Rookie Profile: Colston Loveland

2025 Rookie Profile: Colston Loveland (TE) Michigan

Welcome to the 2025 fantasy football season. FullTime Fantasy‘s annual rookie reports next present 2025 Rookie Profile: Colston Loveland, a deep dive into the presumed first-round tight end.

Resume

Colston Loveland, a 6’5″, 245-pound tight end from Gooding, Idaho, emerged as one of the premier tight end prospects in the 2025 NFL Draft class. A multi-sport athlete in high school, Loveland starred in football and basketball, earning Idaho Gatorade Player of the Year honors in 2021 as a four-star recruit. At Gooding High School, he set single-game (19) and single-season (91) reception records, amassing 235 catches for 3,139 yards and 35 touchdowns, while also contributing as a linebacker and defensive end.

At Michigan, Loveland quickly established himself despite playing in a run-heavy offense. As a true freshman in 2022, he appeared in 14 games, starting six, and recorded 16 receptions for 235 yards and 2 touchdowns. His sophomore year in 2023 was a breakout, with 45 catches for 649 yards and 4 touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors and contributing to Michigan’s National Championship run. As a junior in 2024, despite inconsistent quarterback play and a shoulder injury that sidelined him for three games, he set a Michigan tight end single-season reception record with 56 catches for 582 yards and 5 touchdowns, earning Second-Team All-American honors. A Mackey Award finalist, Loveland declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, projected as a late first-round or early second-round pick.

Stats

Career (2022-2024, 39 games): 117 receptions, 1,466 yards (12.5 yards per catch), 11 touchdowns

2024 (Junior, 10 games): 56 receptions, 582 yards (10.4 yards per catch), 5 touchdowns

2023 (Sophomore, 15 games): 45 receptions, 649 yards (14.4 yards per catch), 4 touchdowns

2022 (Freshman, 14 games): 16 receptions, 235 yards (14.7 yards per catch), 2 touchdowns

Notable Game (2024): 7 receptions, 112 yards vs. Oregon

Advanced Metrics (2024, per PFF): 2.89 yards per route run vs. man coverage (4th among TEs), 2.10 yards per route run vs. zone coverage (10th), 3.4% drop rate (elite).

On top of being extremely smooth as an athlete and receiver, Colston Loveland looks pretty damn fast on tape. pic.twitter.com/junpCAk8ta

— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) April 16, 2025

Measurables

Height: 6’5¾”

Weight: 248 pounds

Arm Length: 32¾ inches

Hand Size: 10 inches

40-Yard Dash: Estimated 4.70 seconds (did not test at Combine or Pro Day due to shoulder injury)

Scouting Report

Strengths

Receiving Prowess: Loveland is a natural pass-catcher with soft hands, a massive catch radius, and outstanding ball skills. He excels at contested catches, high-pointing the ball, and tracking off-target throws. His 3.4% drop rate in 2024 is elite.

Route Running: Displays a nuanced route tree for a college tight end, with the ability to separate against man and zone coverage. His quickness in and out of breaks, combined with spatial awareness, makes him a mismatch against linebackers and safeties.

Versatility: Aligns in-line, in the slot, or out wide, offering schematic flexibility. His 281 slot snaps in 2024 highlight his “big slot” potential.

Yards After Catch (YAC): Shows good acceleration and contact balance post-catch, with the agility to make defenders miss in open space.

Football IQ: Instinctive player who finds soft spots in zone coverage and adjusts to errant throws, making him a quarterback’s best friend.

Weaknesses

Blocking: While a willing and physical blocker, Loveland’s technique and strength need refinement. His 50.1 PFF run-blocking grade in 2024 reflects struggles sustaining blocks against stronger edge defenders. Best suited as a detached “F” tight end early in his career.

Contested Catch Rate: Only 20.0% success rate in contested situations, suggesting he’s not dominant in heavy traffic despite his size.

Production Ceiling in College: Limited by Michigan’s run-heavy scheme (23.9 pass attempts per game) and poor quarterback play in 2024, his raw stats don’t fully reflect his talent.

Injury Concern: Missed three games in 2024 due to a shoulder injury requiring surgery, though he’s expected to be fully recovered by NFL training camp.

Fantasy Outlook

Loveland’s receiving prowess, athleticism, and versatility make him a high-upside fantasy tight end with immediate TE1 potential in the right offense. His per-play metrics (e.g., 2.89 yards per route run vs. man coverage) rival recent standout rookie tight ends like Sam LaPorta. However, his fantasy value will depend on landing with a pass-heavy team and securing a significant target share, as many NFL teams rotate tight ends situationally. If he lands in an offense that maximizes his “move” tight end traits, he could be a top-10 fantasy tight end by Year 2.

Team Fits

Loveland’s skill set as a dynamic receiving tight end with alignment versatility makes him an ideal fit for NFL teams that utilize 12 personnel (two tight ends) or prioritize mismatch weapons in the passing game. Below are three potential team fits for the 2025 NFL Draft.

Indianapolis Colts (Round 1, Pick 15): The Colts need a reliable tight end to support their quarterback competition (Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones). Loveland’s underneath reliability and YAC ability would complement their young receiving corps (Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Adonai Mitchell) while providing a safety net for an inconsistent passer.

Seattle Seahawks (Round 1, Pick 18): Loveland would be a huge upgrade over Noah Fant and give the new-look Seahawks a reliable weapon. He would also allow the club to finally stop using a frustrating committee to address the position.

Los Angeles Chargers (Round 1, Pick 22): With Jim Harbaugh, Loveland’s former Michigan coach, at the helm, the Chargers are a natural fit. Their offense lacked pass-catching depth in 2024, attempting the fifth-fewest passes. Loveland would complement Justin Herbert’s arm, serving as a flex weapon alongside Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin. Offensive coordinator Greg Roman could expand the playbook to leverage Loveland’s YAC ability and slot alignments. However, Loveland is expected to be drafted before the Chargers are on the clock. They would need luck for him to slide this far.

NFL Comparison

Loveland’s playing style mirrors Sam LaPorta, a 2023 second-round pick who became a fantasy TE1 as a rookie. Both are polished receiving tight ends with alignment versatility, reliable hands. They also can separate against man and zone coverage. Like LaPorta, Loveland’s blocking is a work in progress, but his receiving skills translate immediately to the NFL. While Loveland may not match LaPorta’s immediate volume (LaPorta had 86 catches as a rookie), his size, athleticism, and route-running nuance suggest a similar trajectory in a pass-friendly offense.

Loveland is slightly taller and leaner than LaPorta (6’4″, 249 pounds). He has a larger catch radius but less proven blocking ability. LaPorta’s 2023 success came in a Lions offense that targeted him heavily (120 targets). Loveland’s fantasy upside hinges on landing in a similar pass-heavy scheme.

I just don’t see how #Michigan TE Colston Loveland isn’t a top-10 player in this class.

It’s rare to see a TE of his size move that way. And Michigan couldn’t function on offense without him.

AWESOME player.

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) April 10, 2025

Summary

Colston Loveland is a polished, athletic tight end with the potential to be a fantasy football star in the NFL. His college production, despite Michigan’s run-first offense and quarterback struggles, showcases his elite receiving ability, with 117 catches for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns over three seasons. His measurables (6’5¾”, 245 pounds, 32¾” arms) and on-field traits—fluid route running, soft hands, and YAC ability—make him a mismatch nightmare.

While his blocking needs development, his fit in modern NFL offenses as a “move” tight end is undeniable. NFL teams could immediately unlock his potential. And his Sam LaPorta-like skill set suggests he could become a top-10 fantasy tight end by his second season.

Other Rookie Profiles

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