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
