Coming into the 2025 NFL Draft, two Big Ten tight ends were leading draft boards at the position.
Tyler Warren, coming out of Penn State, and Colston Loveland, a Michigan alum, were both projected first-round picks in most mock draft. However, in the weeks leading up to the draft, it was Warren who had taken priority among projections, with the potential to be a top-10 pick.
Instead, Loveland went to Chicago at pick No. 10, leaving Warren still available until pick 14 for the Colts.
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Here’s why Loveland went over Warren, and how he’ll fit in the Bears’ tight end room.
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Why did the Bears draft Colston Loveland over Tyler Warren?
Most rankings and mock drafts predicted Warren, a versatile weapon, to go over Loveland. The Bears disagreed.
The reason for Chicago choosing Loveland likely comes down to offensive scheme and fit. The Bears already have Cole Kmet in their tight end room, who totaled nearly 500 receiving yards as a weapon for Caleb Williams in 2024.
There’s a case to be made that Loveland is the better pure receiver as a tight end over Warren, and he can be exactly that for the Bears. Warren’s versatility is something that made him an intriguing prospect, but if Chicago was seeking a tight end who can be more of an on-ball, dominant red-zone threat with strong hands and route-running, it’s not hard to see why Loveland was their guy.
The former Wolverine posted 582 receiving yards and five touchdowns in 2024. For new Bears head coach Ben Johnson, who spent previous seasons with Sam LaPorta in Detroit, Loveland is a player much more comparable to his former star tight end.
The thought for Chicago is likely that Loveland can primarily be a pass-catching tight end, while Kmet and others can remain in more off-ball, blocking roles as secondary weapons.
The Bears’ senior director of player personnel, Jeff King, said Loveland was “the best fit for us” when asked about taking him over Warren, per Nicholas Moreano.
MORE NFL DRAFT:
Bears TE depth chart
Here’s a look at the Bears’ new tight end room:
| Rank | Player |
| 1 | Colston Loveland |
| 2 | Cole Kmet |
| 3 | Durham Smythe |
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