Coleston Loveland Said To Be Way Higher On Bears' Board Than Reported

Nobody had Darnell Wright as the Chicago Bears' pick in 2023. Expectations were that the Tennessee offensive tackle wouldn't go until at least the middle of the 1st round. That should remind everybody that players hyped up by the media might not get the same treatment from teams, and vice versa. GM Ryan Poles isn't afraid to go with players the public isn't expecting, provided they fit what the team wants to do. Gervon Dexter and Tyrique Stevenson were other examples. Enter Coleston Loveland.

Nobody in the Chicago area has mentioned the Michigan tight end as a possibility at #10. That is probably because he is in the shadow of Tyler Warren, who keeps getting projected to them in mock drafts. If he's off the board, expectations are that it will be one of a running back, defensive lineman, or left tackle. Such narrow thinking might've been a mistake. Draft insider Todd McShay revealed on his podcast that he's hearing the Bears have significant interest in Loveland and aren't afraid to take him depending on how the board falls.

The Bears' interest in Coleston Loveland shouldn't be a surprise.

NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein compared him to Sam LaPorta, the Detroit Lions Pro Bowler. Ben Johnson, of course, coached him there. In fact, LaPorta credited the Bears' head coach with having a major influence on drafting him three years ago. It isn't a stretch to think Johnson might be seeing the same traits in Loveland. While he may not have a complete game like Warren, many experts believe he actually has higher upside as a pass catcher. He was instrumental to their national championship run in 2023, going for 88 yards in the big win over Ohio State and 64 in the title game against Washington. Last season, he had 582 yards in only ten games despite never being the offense's focal point.

Don't forget that both Johnson and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle were tight end coaches. They see the game through that position. Coleston Loveland must look like a hidden gold mine from their perspective. He has so much more pass-catching prowess than Cole Kmet. Both coaches also come from systems that utilized tight ends to an elite degree. Doyle worked with Sean Payton, who turned Jimmy Graham into a superstar. Johnson elevated LaPorta. The idea of Kmet and Coleston Loveland on the field together must seem enticing.