Of all the players available in the 2025 NFL Draft, tight end Tyler Warren has been amongst the ones drawing the most buzz as potential Chicago Bears targets. With Ben Johnson stepping into his new role as head coach, Warren would give him an intriguing weapon to implement in the pass game.
However, the tight end is considered the consensus best option in the 2025 class. There’s a solid chance that he won’t be available when the Bears are on the clock at No. 10. With Cole Kmet already on the roster, it would seem unlikely that Chicago would still target tight end with their selection.
Not according to Todd McShay of The Ringer. If Warren is off the board, McShay said he wouldn’t be shocked if the Bears draft fellow tight end Colston Loveland.
“Call me in October when your young quarterback who had all that trouble last year has a new coach that can cook up some schemes in the lab and utilize those tight ends,” McShay said. “Now we are in 12-personnel, now we are a headache.”
Chicago Bears go all-in on tight end
Chicago Bears team captain put on notice before 2025 draft 2Penn State tight end Tyler Warren at the NFL combine – Credit: Clark Wade/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The idea of Warren joining the Bears is more of a ‘best player available’ approach rather than a full-on need. With respect to Travis Hunter, Warren may be the best pass catcher and offensive pass catcher in the 2025 class. And after seeing Brock Bowers dominate with the Las Vegas Raiders in 2024, NFL franchises want to get their opportunity to land an elite tight end.
Adding Warren to the roster makes total sense. His final season at Penn State saw him lead the Big Ten with 104 receptions for 1,233 yards and eight touchdowns. He was named the John Mackey Award winner. Overall, Warren is the exact type of playmaker that Johnson is looking for.
However, Kmet is not a ghost in Chicago. He had a poor 2024 season, catching 47 passes for 474 yards and four yards. However, everyone on the Bears’ offense struggled in 2024. Kmet set a new career-high in touchdown grabs with seven in 2022 and a new-career high in receiving yards with 719 in 2023. Johnson has already committed to Kmet having a strong role in the offense.
Perhaps the Bears are truly committed to running 12 personnel often in 2025. In that case, a player like Loveland would make total sense. But if Warren is off the board, it’d be a surprise to see Chicago continue to target tight end with Kmet still around.
What Colston Loveland offers Bears
Report: Tyler Warren isn't Chicago Bears' only tight end target at No. 10 6Colston Loveland at the NFL scouting combine – Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images
Despite that, no one is doubting what Loveland brings to the table. He has been outshined slightly by Warren, but Loveland is surely the top tight end on at least a few team’s boards. He isn’t going to have to wait long to hear his name called in the first round.
Loveland appeared in 39 games over his three years with Michigan, catching 117 passes for 1,466 yards and 11 touchdowns. He won a national championship with the Wolverines in 2023, setting a new career-high in yardage at 649. Loveland then ended his time at Michigan as a Second-team All-American and setting new career-bests in receptions (56) and touchdowns (five).
The tight end offers any team a versatile threat in the passing game. While the opposing defenses will be focused on the receivers, Loveland can do damage in space. By using a first-round pick on him, any team selecting Loveland is expecting him to have an immediate role in the offense. Furthermore, Loveland earned a comparison to current Detroit Lions tight end Sam LaPorta from Lance Zierlein of NFL.com.
“Talented young tight end with the athletic ability and ball skills to become an elite talent as a pass catcher. Colston plays the game like a big wideout, capable of separating from man coverage and making plays on all three levels,” Zierlein wrote. “He has good play speed and runs a route tree full of branches, allowing creative play-callers to move him around as a mismatch option. His routes can be a little hurried and lacking in detail but that should change with coaching. He’s graceful in-air and catches the ball with good timing and strong hands.”
“He will keep filling out his frame but is unlikely to ever become more than average as a blocker. Colston’s collection of athletic traits and catch talent creates a high ceiling with the opportunity to become a high-volume target and future Pro Bowler,” Zierlein concluded.
Loveland hasn’t gotten in the top 10 much in industry-wide mock drafts. But at least to McShay, he sees a fit with the Bears at No. 10.
This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.
