If the Chicago Bears plan to make the playoffs for the first time in seven years, they need a major contribution from their 2025 draft class. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson did their best to piece together a group capable of making a big impact. What nobody knows is how significant it will be. Some classes don’t blossom right away. The Bears made four picks in the first two rounds this year. One has to think at least one of them makes some meaningful contribution.
Gennaro Filice of NFL.com thinks that will be the case. He posted projections for who will make the league’s All-Rookie team this season. There were obvious names, such as #1 pick Cam Ward, #2 pick Travis Hunter, and #3 pick Abdul Carter. Did the Bears get any love for their class? The answer is yes.
TE Colston Loveland, Michigan, Chicago Bears
DRAFTED: Round 1, No. 10 overall
Standing 6-6, 241 pounds, Loveland is a tight end who runs routes with the fluidity of a wideout. That’s what makes him special. And that’s what made Sam LaPorta a rookie Pro Bowler under Ben Johnson in Detroit, so it stands to reason that Johnson will get the most out of Loveland in Chicago. With Cole Kmet in place to handle traditional in-line work, Johnson can let his beautiful football mind run wild when it comes to scheming up touches for his new toy. The Bears have a lot of mouths to feed in the passing game, but I anticipate this supersized separator will get a fair share of attention from young quarterback Caleb Williams.
This is a telling decision.
Remember, many experts believed Penn State’s Tyler Warren was the superior tight end going into this draft. He went 14th to Indianapolis. Despite that persistent narrative, Loveland was still the choice. That is a testament to his talent and the situation the Bears have established for him.
The Chicago Bears would make some history if this happened.
Poles has already produced two players who made the All-Rookie team. Braxton Jones did so in 2022, and Darnell Wright followed the next year in 2023. If Loveland achieves the same, that would mark three players in four years. Not bad results considering the organization’s issues with the previous coaching staff. Still, one shouldn’t expect Loveland to carry the load immediately. He is still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. The Chicago Bears have no reason to rush him. Cole Kmet remains a good player in his prime. They can lean on him until they feel the 10th overall pick is ready for a bigger role. Still, once Ben Johnson makes up his mind to take off the leash, things will get fun in a hurry.
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