Seemingly everywhere you look this pre-NFL draft season, Penn State phenom Tyler Warren is mocked to the Indianapolis Colts.
But what if Warren is already off the board when the tight end-needy Colts are on the clock? PFSN’s latest 2025 NFL mock draft has a solution.
Penn State Tight End Tyler Warren Goes to Jets at No. 7 in Latest PFSN Mock Draft
After quarterback (you may have heard Aaron Rodgers is being jettisoned), the New York Jets need to address the tight end position. And in his March 4 Post-Combine 2025 NFL Mock Draft, PFSN’s Brentley Weissman sends Warren to New York, leaving Colston Loveland as TE2.
Loveland appeared in 14 games (six starts) for the Michigan Wolverines as a freshman, but he wasn’t a big factor in their offense until becoming a full-time starter in year two. Loveland developed a strong chemistry with quarterback J.J. McCarthy, which was a big reason the team won the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2024.
The lack of productive quarterback play and the run-oriented offense stunted Loveland as a junior, but he won’t have to worry about that anymore. In December, Loveland announced he was entering the NFL Draft, and for that, he’ll be rewarded as one of the first off the board next month.
“There’s speculation that many evaluators in the NFL actually have Loveland as the No. 1 tight end in the class,” Weissman wrote. “While I wouldn’t go that far, Loveland certainly is a top prospect in my eyes. He is a smooth route runner with excellent size and strength to be an effective weapon in the passing game.”
Weissman likes the Colts to snag the former Wolverine with the 14th pick.
“Indianapolis has been looking for a difference-making tight end for what feels like the past decade. Loveland would be a perfect fit in this vertical offense.”
Colston Loveland Called ‘Perfect Fit’ for Modern NFL, Compared to Detroit Lions Star Sam LaPorta
In his scouting report, Weissman called Loveland a top-20 pick who is a “perfect fit for today’s NFL,” adding that while his lack of physicality as a blocker could limit him, his pass-game upside will still excite NFL decision-makers.
Weissman said that Loveland has the vertical speed to stress the defense, but he has the quickness and flexibility to stop on a dime, sink his hips, and create separation.
“He runs routes like a smaller receiver and is a mismatch facing linebackers and most safeties. Additionally, Loveland has excellent yards after the catch ability and is a true threat with the ball in his hands with his speed and ability to change direction.”
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The instinctive Loveland always understands where he is on the field, music to the ears of a quarterback looking for an open target. “Loveland has an incredible catch radius and outstanding hands, ball skills, and body control. He has everything you want as a receiving tight end, and a creative offensive coordinator will enjoy utilizing his unique skill set,” Weissman added.
NFL.com analyst and draft guru Lance Zierlein compared Loveland to Detroit Lions Pro Bowl tight end Sam LaPorta. An NFL executive told Zierlein about the All-American, “He’s not the total package like (Tyler) Warren, but he has the type of talent where he could become one of the focal points of an offense.”