NFL Draft Puzzling Move by Chicago Bears: Selection of Colston Loveland at Pick #10
The First Ten Picks of the NFL Draft Didn't Shake Things Up Much - Until the Bears Decided to Stir the Pot
If you thought the first nine picks in the 2025 NFL Draft were predictable, think again. The Cleveland Browns selling their #2 overall pick to the Jacksonville Jaguars was unexpected, sure. But that wasn't the only surprise.
The Jaguars snagged Colorado's Heisman Trophy-winner Travis Hunter, as expected. But the real jaw-dropper came when the Chicago Bears went against the grain, selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the #10 overall pick.
It's not that Loveland isn't a great player. Far from it. He was even tipped to be a first-round pick. But the top 10? That's a curveball. The Bears could have easily traded down and nabbed Loveland, but they chose to swing for the fences instead.
So, why Loveland over Penn State's heavily favored Tyler Warren? It appears the Bears believe Loveland's athleticism, pass-catching abilities, and immediate impact potential fit their offense perfectly.
Loveland is a smooth, agile player who excels at creating separation on his routes, making him a quarterback's dream[2]. His size (6'6") and athleticism allowed him to be an effective outlet for Wolverine quarterbacks, often lining up in the slot[2][5].
The Bears are banking on this skillset to complement their existing receivers like D.J. Moore and Rome Odunze[2]. They're also hoping for an immediate boost in their passing game, similar to how Sam LaPorta performed under head coach Ben Johnson in Detroit[2].
But it's not just about talent. Loveland's versatility and ability to thrive in multiple formations, particularly in two-tight-end sets (12 personnel), align well with Johnson's offensive strategy[2]. This versatility can help fill the void left by the declining production from Cole Kmet in the previous season[2].
Loveland had a stellar college career at Michigan, earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors[5]. His consistent performance and improvement likely caught the Bears' attention during their extensive evaluation process.
In hindsight, the betting odds may have favored Warren. But the Bears' decision to choose Loveland centers on fitting specific needs within their offense and betting on Loveland's potential to make an immediate impact. We'll see how it all pans out for them.
[Image Source: Imagn Images]
- The Chicago Bears surprised many by selecting Michigan tight end Colston Loveland with the #10 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, going against the odds.
- The Bears could have easily traded down and selected Loveland later, but instead, they decided to take a risk in the top 10.
- The Bears believe Loveland's athleticism, pass-catching abilities, and immediate impact potential fit their offense perfectly.
- Loveland's versatility and ability to thrive in multiple formations align well with the offensive strategy of the Chicago Bears' head coach, Ben Johnson.
- The Bears are hoping for an immediate boost in their passing game, and they see Loveland as a key player to fill the void left by declining production from tight end Cole Kmet in the previous season.
