Colston Loveland already knows how to play for Jim Harbaugh and the standout tight end would immediately fix one of the roster’s biggest holes.
The tight end position was a need prior to this year’s NFL draft back in April and despite plugging the hole with a pair of veteran tight ends for the 2024 season, the position will once again be at or near the top of the list by next year’s draft.
Last year, the Chargers were tied to several tight ends in the early rounds, including Brock Bowers. This year, they’ve been mainly tied to one player who already knows a thing or two about playing for Jim Harbaugh.
In a new 2025 first-round mock draft by ESPN’s Matt Miller, the Chargers were paired with Michigan start tight end Colston Loveland with the 25th-overall pick.
“Tight end isn’t a new need for the Chargers, who were linked to Brock Bowers in the 2024 draft,” says Miller. “Loveland would be an ideal fit in Los Angeles, as he played his first two collegiate seasons under Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh. The 6-foot-5, 245-pounder has overcome subpar Michigan quarterback play to rack up 53 receptions and four touchdowns this season, already topping last season’s figures. I was wowed by his flexibility, movement traits and straight-line speed when watching him catch passes from J.J. McCarthy at Michigan’s pro day in March. Loveland is a modern tight end with Dallas Goedert-like upside.”
Even without McCarthy throwing him pass in 2024, Loveland is on pace to set career highs across the board. He already has a career-high 56 receptions and needs just 90 more yards and one touchdowns to set new high marks there, as well.
The 2025 #NFLDraft debate I’m most looking forward to?
〽️ Colston Loveland vs. Tyler Warren
: Loveland’s the more traditional archetype, but Warren’s a unicorn who can line up anywhere…
The race for TE1 is gonna be fascinating pic.twitter.com/g3Vf8uAggv
— The Draft Room (@TheDraftRoomNFL) November 20, 2024
Will Dissly has been great this season in regards to the expectations he had for himself going into the season. If the Chargers can keep Dissly as a co-starter next to someone like Loveland for 2025 and beyond, watch out. You can’t ask for a better combination in terms of two guys who complement each other and help fill out all the roles of the tight end position all at the same time.