Colston Loveland has a Knack for Getting Open

Michigan’s Colston Loveland is one of the most challenging evaluations I’ve done.

This one takes more imagination.

⚠️ Loveland’s catch rate dropped from 45 receptions on 66 targets (2023: 68.2%) to 56 catches on 86 targets (2024: 65.1%).

Sure, some of that can be “explained away” by him working with different quarterbacks. Bottom line, I’m not sure anybody could have caught some of those “targets” this past season.

Still, I can’t dismiss the passes that hit him in the hands and he dropped due to occasional lapses of concentration.

I also can’t ignore how he struggled the most when defenders strongly contested him at the catch point

How much of those “negatives” had to do with Loveland, and how much of that had to do with his quarterbacks?

In other words, how much did the timing and location of those incompletions fall back on the quarterbacks?

In my professional opinion, it had something to do with it.

Leap of faith

With that being said, I feel there is a VERY STRONG CHANCE Loveland gets selected by the Chargers at No. 22. It makes too much sense since NFL.com lists tight-end as their top need. Plus, Loveland’s former head coach at Michigan, Jim Harbaugh, is now the Chargers’ head coach.

I’m confident that a quarterback like the Chargers’ Justin Herbert (No. 11 NFL QBR) is going to get the ball to Loveland faster (cutting down on the contested passes), and he is going to put him in a better position to catch the ball than he’s been put in. Respectfully, Herbert would instantly be a better passer than the quarterbacks Loveland has worked with at Michigan (J.J. McCarthy, Alex Orji, Jack Tuttle, and Davis Warren).

In what ways has Loveland improved since the last evaluation?

I put a third-round grade on him in my previous report, and like I tell evaluators who write for the site, there has to be solid logical reasoning for raising a grade.

Loveland’s overall route running looked better in 2024.

How so?

His route running looked more sophisticated.

In what ways?

While Loveland was a “creative and accomplished route runner” on his 2023 film, he appeared more polished this past season. He added a couple of twists. Loveland showed the ability to bend routes better at the top of route stems (which created bigger throwing windows), and he began working back toward the ball when it was in the air, attacking it.

I also felt he did a better job keeping himself from being impeded on routes, and he showed a better catch radius.

Undefined routes?

Loveland can sometimes become sloppy with his route running.

One route against Fresno looked different than all the rest in 2024 (shown below). He showed the most energy and determination on this route.

I think he lost some of his motivation playing on a non-contender (like cornerback Will Johnson and defensive tackle Mason Graham on film), coming off Michigan’s National Championship season.

Chain mover

Loveland is a meat-and-potatoes short-to-intermediate (0-19 yards) catching machine.

While he’s not an explosive big-play receiving target, he is a reliable security blanket for a quarterback.

#18 Colston Loveland 6-foot-6, 248 pounds

Daniel Kelly’s 2025 Final NFL Draft Grade: First-Round (I would select him)

Colston Loveland is a Nice Third Round NFL Draft Prospect (2023: 14 games evaluated)

Projected by 83.5% of the NFL Draft Community to be a first-round pick as of April 18, 2025 (nflmockdraftdatabase.com)

2024 game film evaluated: Fresno State, Texas, Arkansas State, Minnesota, Washington, Illinois, Michigan State, Oregon, Indiana, and Northwestern (click to view games watched to form this evaluation)

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report

Lanky athletic throwback. Instinctual. Flashed good straight-line acceleration and pace. Decent playing speed. Can wait until the last second before breaking off a route. Knack for finding soft spots in zone coverage. Not afraid to go into heavier traffic areas to make the grab. Not much vertical. Good sideline awareness when passes are in the air. Will tough it out for YAC. Willing to go down in the dirt for a catch. Demonstrative after scoring. Complete tight-end. Gets after it with run blocking.

Final words

Pairing Loveland with a good quarterback on a contending team makes all the difference.

Daniel Kelly is a former NFL Scout with the New York Jets. He was hired on the regime which featured Bill Parcells, Bill Belichick, Scott Pioli, Mike Tannenbaum, and Dick Haley. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief for First Round Mock, and has written for Sports Illustrated (Lions, Jets, and 49ers), NFL Draft Diamonds, and Yardbarker, as well as a featured guest on ESPN Radio and Fox Sports Radio. For more information about him visit his website at whateverittakesbook.com. Follow on Twitter @firstroundmock.