2025 Rookie Profile: TE Colston Loveland (Fantasy Football)

Since the dawn of time, fantasy football wisdom dictated that rookie TEs were a long-term investment, rarely making an immediate impact. But that thinking has been completely upended in recent years. In back-to-back seasons, Sam LaPorta and Brock Bowers shattered rookie records and expectations, proving that the right talent can thrive from day one. As a result, the spotlight on incoming prospects at the position has never been brighter.

The 2025 class may not carry the same hype as its predecessors, but it still boasts high-upside prospects. Two names currently drawing first-round buzz are Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. Warren has turned heads in Penn State’s explosive offense, while Loveland has steadily gained traction despite Michigan’s run-heavy scheme and inconsistent QB play. With his towering size and WR-like athleticism and route running, Loveland emerges as a highly intriguing prospect with immense potential. In this profile, we will break down what makes him a potential fantasy star at the next level while acknowledging the challenges that could stand in his way as he begins his NFL journey.

For more info on the dynamic TE prospect out of Penn State, check out Matthew Betz’s newest article: 2025 Rookie Profile: TE Tyler Warren (Fantasy Football).

Editors Note: This article is part of our Rookie Profile series going on until the 2025 NFL Draft. For more on each rookie, check out Andy, Mike, and Jason’s exclusive rookie rankings and production profiles found only in the Dynasty Pass, part of the UDK+ for 2025.

College Production Profile

Apparently, the fields of Idaho produce more than just top-tier potatoes; they also grow some pretty elite TE prospects. Born in the small town of Bliss, Idaho, Colston Loveland first made his mark on the basketball court at Gooding High School, showcasing the rare athleticism that often translates to future fantasy gold at the TE position. Fortunately, he was just as dominant on the football field, setting multiple reception records and excelling on both sides of the ball. His standout athleticism and production earned him four-star recruit status and a spot at the University of Michigan, where he set out to prove himself under brighter lights and on a bigger stage.  

Loveland made an immediate impact upon arriving in Ann Arbor, but he truly came into his own as a sophomore. That season, he surpassed 600 receiving yards and earned first-team All-Big Ten honors, emerging as a key weapon in Michigan’s lethal offense. He also accounted for 20.3% of the team’s receiving yards on the season. Playing alongside QB J.J. McCarthy, the two formed a dangerous duo that helped propel the Wolverines to a national championship. In Michigan’s commanding championship win over Washington, Loveland recorded three crucial receptions, totaling a team-high 64 yards. 

Entering his junior year, the landscape in Ann Arbor had shifted dramatically. McCarthy left school and was drafted in the first round by the Minnesota Vikings, and longtime head coach Jim Harbaugh decided to take his talents to Los Angeles to coach the Chargers. Despite these major changes, Loveland remained a focal point, finishing with 56 receptions, the most of his college career, and nearly 600 receiving yards in only ten games. However, inconsistent QB play and a lingering shoulder injury limited his production, raising the question of how much more dominant he could have been if McCarthy had stayed for another season. Even though his final year did not fully showcase his potential, Loveland proved he could thrive as a top target and reinforced why he is one of the most coveted prospects at his position.

Measurables 

When evaluating Loveland’s measurables, the first thing that stands out is his towering 6’6” frame. While many elite NFL TEs have been 6’4” or 6’5”, it is far less common to see them surpass that mark. Since 2000, only seven of the 26 TEs drafted in the first round have been 6’6” or taller. That group includes Kyle Pitts (2021), O.J. Howard (2017), Tyler Eifert (2013), Marcedes Lewis (2006), Jerramy Stevens (2002), Bubba Franks (2000), and Anthony Becht (2000). What is notable about this list is how many of these highly touted prospects ultimately fell short of expectations. 

On top of that, over the last five seasons, only five TEs standing at least 6’6” have produced a TE1 (TE12 or better) fantasy season: Cole Kmet, Tyler Higbee, Rob Gronkowski, Kyle Pitts, and Mike Gesicki. This highlights how rare it is for TEs of Loveland’s height to reach true star status. However, the success of Gronkowski and outliers like Jimmy Graham prove that players with his frame can thrive at the highest level. Ultimately, given the track record, it is worth questioning whether Loveland’s towering size will be a unique advantage or a potential hurdle in his transition to the NFL.

Despite not participating at the combine, Loveland’s tape leaves no doubt that he is a rare athletic talent. What truly sets him apart is how effortlessly he moves at his size. Rather than a traditional TE, he glides like an oversized WR, running a full route tree with fluidity and precision. His footwork is smooth, never clunky or labored, and he pairs that with strong hands and exceptional body control, allowing him to haul in off-target throws with a massive catch radius. While his exact 40-yard dash time remains unknown, his game speed is undeniable. On tape, he consistently outruns defenders in pads, a trait that should translate to serious fantasy upside when he finds himself in open space. However, even with his impressive measurables, it is fair to say he could benefit from adding more muscle to maximize his dominance at the next level. Fortunately, he will turn 21 just before the draft, giving him plenty of time to continue hitting the weight room and filling out his frame.

2025 Rookie Tight Ends
Pre Draft

Below are the early results of my Tight End prospect model – which uses production, athletic measurables, & projected draft capital to grade this class

Brief breakdowns and hit rates in the thread below!

[1 of 7] pic.twitter.com/6omRL7u2de

— Marvin Elequin (@FF_MarvinE) March 15, 2025

What’s On Tape

Games viewed: Alabama (2024), Arkansas State (2024), Indiana (2023), Michigan State (2024), Nebraska (2023), Purdue (2023), Washington (2024)

1. Strong Hands with a Massive Catch Radius

At 6’6” with long arms, Loveland boasts a massive catch radius and exceptionally strong hands, almost as if he was built to catch footballs. While his career drop rate sits at 7.1%, he elevated his game in 2024 with an elite 3.4% mark, which is especially impressive considering the quality of throws he had to work with. Loveland excels at using late hands to disguise incoming passes, making it difficult for defenders to react in time. He also maximizes his size by high-pointing the ball, often outreaching coverage at the catch point. His breakout sophomore season saw him average 14.4 yards per reception, further showcasing his ability to make big plays downfield.

2. Moves like a WR

Loveland is as fluid and natural a route runner as you will find in a TE prospect. He fires off the line with an impressive burst, displaying smooth footwork that allows him to create separation with ease. His body control and ability to adjust mid-air on back-shoulder throws make him feel more like an oversized WR than a traditional TE. His versatility is another standout trait. Over his three-year career at Michigan, he lined up in the slot on 43.7% of snaps, played inline on 39.1%, and operated as a boundary receiver on 16.4%. With a refined route tree and the finesse of a receiver, Loveland has the skill set to be a matchup nightmare from anywhere on the field.

3. Ability to pick up yards after the catch

While Loveland is not quite the do-it-all TE that Tyler Warren is, he is far more dangerous with the ball in his hands than he gets credit for. His 6.5 YAC (yards after catch) average in 2023 speaks to his ability to create in space, using his vision and decisiveness to turn short gains into big plays. He processes the field at a high level, reading screens and exploiting defensive gaps with ease. He does not shy away from contact and relishes the chance to put defenders in the dirt. That said, he is not the kind of TE who will routinely plow through tacklers, as his leaner frame limits his ability to absorb and shed hits. If he can add muscle, his natural aggression should translate even better to the NFL, but he may have to adjust early on against bigger, stronger defenders.

4. Red Zone Threat

While Loveland was far from a TD machine in college, he has proven he possesses the skills and intangibles to become a significant red zone threat at the next level. In his breakout sophomore season, Loveland scored just four TDs, accounting for only 17% of Michigan’s receiving TDs, despite playing in all 15 games. However, he improved to five TDs in just 10 games the following season and could have added more if not for a shoulder injury. Given that the Wolverines scored only 12 receiving TDs in 2024, his achievement becomes even more impressive. With his towering size, elite athleticism, and strong hands, there is little reason to doubt Loveland’s potential to make a major impact in the TD department at the next level.

5. Safety Blanket (QB’s Best Friend)

Watching tape on Loveland, I was consistently impressed by his natural feel for the game and high football IQ. Whether it was his ability to read zone coverage and settle into soft spots for easy yardage or extend plays to find an open window for his scrambling QB, he always seemed to be in the right place at the right time.

Loveland demonstrates this perfectly in the play below. Recognizing his QB is under pressure and heading toward the sideline, he does not just stick to his original route. Instead, he adjusts, running with his QB toward the sideline. He then quickly assesses the situation and makes a split-second decision to break vertically toward the end zone, giving his QB a chance to air it out rather than tossing the ball away. Once he catches the pass, Loveland showcases his impressive body control and speed, smoothly gliding past defenders for the score. Plays like this are exactly what will make him his future QB’s best friend in the NFL.

What’s Not On Tape

1. Consistent Contested Catch Success

Loveland’s strong hands and massive catch radius make him an ideal vertical threat, allowing him to high-point the ball with ease. However, he struggled in contested catch situations at the college level, securing just 10 of 25 opportunities, a below-average 40% rate. It is worth noting that this is a small sample size, partly because Loveland’s route-running and separation skills often kept him from facing heavy contestation at the catch point. Still, if this proves to be a legitimate weakness, he will need to improve significantly in this area to achieve ultimate success at the next level.

2. Pro-Level Blocking

Loveland demonstrates a strong willingness to block but often struggles to maintain his position against more physical pass rushers, mainly due to his wiry frame. While he compensates with intensity and a strong motor, it is uncertain how well this will translate to the next level. That said, he does not shy away from contact and can display solid physicality when needed. As with many incoming rookies, there appears to be significant room for growth in this area. However, history has shown that even TEs who are not elite blockers can still thrive as fantasy stars. If blocking is not his forte, it likely means he will be utilized primarily as an offensive weapon, generating targets when on the field.

3. Speed-Variance

Although we have highlighted at length how impressive Loveland moves for a player of his size, his routes sometimes lack the necessary speed variations to effectively set up defenders. At times, his routes can appear rushed and lack the nuance needed to fully challenge the defense, but he certainly possesses the potential and intangibles to refine this aspect of his game. This issue extends to his play after the catch as well, where he tends to go from 0 to 100 without varying his speed to evade defenders or keep them on their toes. While it may seem ambitious to expect more speed control from a player of his imposing size, if he can improve in this area, the sky’s the limit for his potential as a dynamic weapon for his future NFL team.

Fantasy Outlook

The recent success of highly touted rookie TEs has raised expectations for immediate fantasy production, putting added pressure on incoming prospects. While Loveland possesses plenty of desirable traits, he is not on the same talent level as Brock Bowers, meaning his early fantasy impact will likely depend heavily on QB play and team fit. Despite already being a highly promising prospect, what makes Loveland so intriguing is that he seems to be just scratching the surface of his potential. His skill set is incredibly rare for a player of his size, and he has the potential to evolve into a major mismatch and versatile weapon at the next level. However, investing in Loveland may require patience, as he could take time to fully develop. 

If Loveland secures the first-round draft capital that has been rumored for months, landing in the right situation will be crucial for his immediate fantasy outlook. Teams like the Chargers and Broncos once looked like dream landing spots, but both have recently added veteran reinforcements, making it less certain they will invest early in the position. Even if they do, Loveland could be designated to sit and learn from an established starter, much like we saw with Trey McBride before his second-year breakout. That said, if the Chargers were to take him in the first round, he would have a much clearer path to outplaying Tyler Conklin, who is on a one-year deal, compared to unseating Evan Engram in Denver. For that reason, the Chargers remain my dream landing spot for Loveland, where he could reunite with Jim Harbaugh and catch passes from one of the NFL’s best QBs, Justin Herbert.

Other teams with both a need at the position and the draft capital to target Loveland include the Bears, Colts, Jaguars, Jets, Rams, and Saints. While some of these teams offer an immediate path to targets, the lack of a high-end QB play in certain situations could limit his early fantasy upside, especially in the TD department. Regardless of where he lands, Loveland has shown enough on tape throughout his collegiate career to believe he can develop into one of the top TEs in the NFL if he reaches his full potential. While it is rare for a TE to be the primary target in their offense, we have seen players like Travis Kelce, Mark Andrews, George Kittle, Trey McBride, and Brock Bowers rise to that level in recent seasons. Although Loveland will unlikely reach this status in his rookie year, as Bowers did in Las Vegas, he has the talent and upside to grow into that role over time.

Given his immense potential, investing a late first-round rookie pick in him is justifiable in dynasty leagues; however, I might personally feel more comfortable targeting him in the second round without knowing his draft capital and destination. As the NFL Draft draws closer, all eyes will be on Loveland’s landing spot, and hopefully, he will join a team that can fully utilize his diverse skill set and maximize his fantasy potential.