It is important to remember that the NFL draft always highlights how disconnected the media can be from the league itself. Players the experts really love end up tumbling, while overlooked names go much higher than expected. A perfect example of this was Colston Loveland. At first glance, the Michigan tight end didn't have a standout year. He caught 56 passes for 582 yards and five touchdowns. However, things begin to shift once you start incorporating other factors.
For one, three different quarterbacks started for the Wolverines last season. None of them played well. Loveland was their leading receiver and claimed that title by miles, with the next closest having just 248 yards. He was their only weapon and still managed to produce. Throw in his excellent athletic profile, and it becomes easier to see why several teams in the league wanted him. It was so much that a few desperately tried to trade up in the 1st round to get him. Ian Rapoport told the story on The Pat McAfee Show.
Colston Loveland has enormous upside.
He is what you'd call the modern era tight end, meant to enhance the passing game as a big, athletic receiver. Field Yates of ESPN came right out and said it. He's the Travis Kelce of this draft. While it's impossible to know where his career goes, it has that high of a ceiling. No wonder other teams wanted him so badly. They've all seen how devastating Kelce has been for the Kansas City Chiefs dynasty for the past decade. Finding the next version of him can completely change the fortunes of a franchise. The Bears deserve credit for realizing what they had, rather than opting for the safer choice of Tyler Warren from Penn State. If other teams want a guy, it is probably smart to take him first.
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